I'm trying to find a CZ 20 guage Bobwite sxs and I'm told it's not imported into Canada? I'm also told isn't reliable? ot looking for a sporting clays gun just a lightweight sxs for grouse &woodcock. Why wouldn't CZ make it's entire line available to Canadian dealers?
CZ why limited imports?
- Thread starter linderhof
- Start date
I believe if you contact Prophet River Firearms who are a sponsors for CGN they may be able to help in getting a CZ Bobwhite. I was looking for a 20 gauge and they said they could get one. I however ended up buying one of another CGN member. The forum on Huglu shotguns has a great deal of information regarding these shot guns (http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=137). The only issue I am aware of is with the firing pins breaking on some guns prior to 2008 because of how they were heat treated. The design was changed to avoid this. I have a 2005 20 gauge and 2010 12 gauge Bobwhites and think the guns are very good value for the money. My 20 gauge with 26" barrels weights 6 lbs 4 ounces and the 12 gauge with 28" barrels weights 6 lbs 12 ounces.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
The CZ's are good guns for the money for their intended purpose which is not high volume clays shooting. MacDonald's Sporting Goods in Portage La Prairie, Mb. also handled CZ as I ordered one from them. I also bought one from WSS but it appears they no longer handle them.
I actually have a gun dealer here in Ontario who says he can order one and another who says he can't get that model in Canada? Buying a gun without testing it for feel and fit scares me but a 26" SxS 20 or even maybe 28 guage with double triggers and a straight English stock has me really thinking !LoL...
The problem lies with where the firearms are originate from at a manufaturer level.
It they come from CZ USA, certain distributors can not get them at this time. However, if they come from Europe (CZ UB) then they are good to go.
The same situation exists with Sig Sauer and HK.
It they come from CZ USA, certain distributors can not get them at this time. However, if they come from Europe (CZ UB) then they are good to go.
The same situation exists with Sig Sauer and HK.
Call Clay at Prophet River...I have bought several CZ's from him...excellent service....and forget what you here about the quality of these guns.....they are good guns and under priced....mine goes bang everytime and shoots where I point....the many Huns' woodcock and grouse it kills every year will never know how much I paid!!
This is the first I hear of any shortage of CZ shotguns through CZ USA. AFAIK, pretty much everyone who has purchased a CZ Bobwhite (or Redhead) has received the gun in a box marked CZ USA. Several CGNers bought 20 ga. Bobwhites in the past 2 or 3 years, myself included.
Clearly the chap who told you they're not imported into Canada knows not of which he speaks. Either he hasn't a clue, or he's lying in the hope that you'll order something he has in stock, or a make/model that's more profitable to him personally.
On the subject of reliability, he's definitely talking through his hat. Mine's been rock solid from day one. I like pretty much everything about this gun. Granted, there are areas that could be improved. But, IMO you won't find a better SXS for the price.
The areas that could use improvement:
There are other improvements that could be made to the gun (more rounded edges to the receiver would reduce fatigue on a long day of hunting, for example), but all such incremental improvements would add considerably to the price. Personally, I think CZ found an under-addressed market niche and did very well in offering the best value for the price.
Clearly the chap who told you they're not imported into Canada knows not of which he speaks. Either he hasn't a clue, or he's lying in the hope that you'll order something he has in stock, or a make/model that's more profitable to him personally.
On the subject of reliability, he's definitely talking through his hat. Mine's been rock solid from day one. I like pretty much everything about this gun. Granted, there are areas that could be improved. But, IMO you won't find a better SXS for the price.
The areas that could use improvement:
- the consistency of the fit and finish (this may have improved considerably since we reviewed these guns 3 years ago - I haven't seen any new production units recently).
- the action is stiff (tight) when new. However, mine is smooth as silk now and I only use it a few times per season.
There are other improvements that could be made to the gun (more rounded edges to the receiver would reduce fatigue on a long day of hunting, for example), but all such incremental improvements would add considerably to the price. Personally, I think CZ found an under-addressed market niche and did very well in offering the best value for the price.
I can assure you that certain CZ Canadian distributors cannot get CZ USA firearms at the present time. If the dealer in question called one of these distributors, he was most certainly not lying when he relayed the information to his customer.
straightshooter, the official CZ USA policy, just like HK USA is that their products are restricted from export to Canada. I have spoken to CZ USA and HK USA personally on this exact subject and that is their story and they are sticking to it. In fact they will shut down any shill buyer, if they know the final destination is Canada. On the other hand, buys import CZ USA products all the time. This is done through retailers importers exporters and is all done without both the knowledge and blessing of headquarters. CZ retailers in Canada can get you any CZ product made in Europe they cannot order CZ USA products, for those you MUST deal with an importer/exporter period. for what its worth.
On another subject their shotguns are way underpriced and are superb. Just like their 22's.
I took a look at CZ's web site and I think I know what's happening. On the site's Canada page, they talk about selling CZ products in Canada through Wild TV Canada. They then go on to detail contact information for their authorized Canadian distributors. The ONLY place on their own corporate web site where they even mention shotguns is the Shotguns CZ-USA page.
The Shotguns CZ-USA site says:
I take this to mean that the relationship with Huglu is with CZ-USA specifically. So, on the subject of Canadian availability of CZ shotguns, I was what I like to call - WRONG. In reality, though, the only thing that's changed is that CZ's Canadian distributors are probably (understandably) complaining that their market is being poached by grey market product out of the US. What did they expect to happen? It's not like Canada is on an island in the Pacific.
CZ is no doubt putting pressure on US authorized dealers to tow the line. Such action is common with companies that operate separate American and Canadian distribution channels (Apple, General Motors are common examples). The shotguns exported to Canada have had the effect of extending American pricing to the Canadian market. Neither CZ nor their Canadian distributors can be happy about that situation because it undermines any chance of charging more for the same products here, in order to pay for the Canadian distributor/dealer channel.
Glad I got mine at the US price. Even more thankful that there were no warranty issues. As a customer, I was never informed that I was buying grey market product.
Can't say I'm sorry the Canadian demand got ahead of formal plans to introduce these products at a later date. Like many Canadians, I don't buy the BS that it's more expensive to do business here. If the "informal" distribution channel can get the product on my doorstep at a reasonable price, so too can the formal network.
Unless CZ wants our business at the price we're willing to pay, this won't end well. Put yourself in their position. They now have to choose between bringing these guns in at the now-established market price, or not sell them in Canada at all. If they go with the price, they don't make the margins they hoped for. If they pass on Canada, they piss off their distributor/dealers and they throw fuel on the grey market.
The Shotguns CZ-USA site says:
I take this to mean that the relationship with Huglu is with CZ-USA specifically. So, on the subject of Canadian availability of CZ shotguns, I was what I like to call - WRONG. In reality, though, the only thing that's changed is that CZ's Canadian distributors are probably (understandably) complaining that their market is being poached by grey market product out of the US. What did they expect to happen? It's not like Canada is on an island in the Pacific.
CZ is no doubt putting pressure on US authorized dealers to tow the line. Such action is common with companies that operate separate American and Canadian distribution channels (Apple, General Motors are common examples). The shotguns exported to Canada have had the effect of extending American pricing to the Canadian market. Neither CZ nor their Canadian distributors can be happy about that situation because it undermines any chance of charging more for the same products here, in order to pay for the Canadian distributor/dealer channel.
Glad I got mine at the US price. Even more thankful that there were no warranty issues. As a customer, I was never informed that I was buying grey market product.
Can't say I'm sorry the Canadian demand got ahead of formal plans to introduce these products at a later date. Like many Canadians, I don't buy the BS that it's more expensive to do business here. If the "informal" distribution channel can get the product on my doorstep at a reasonable price, so too can the formal network.
Unless CZ wants our business at the price we're willing to pay, this won't end well. Put yourself in their position. They now have to choose between bringing these guns in at the now-established market price, or not sell them in Canada at all. If they go with the price, they don't make the margins they hoped for. If they pass on Canada, they piss off their distributor/dealers and they throw fuel on the grey market.
Its too bad that CZ has two differrent public entities, CZ USA and CZ UB, but from my experiance you get nicer wood on the stuff straight out of Europe, just my observation over the last 5 years, who knows?
It is too bad that CZ has to out source any gun production, they made one of the best field grade sidelocks for an affordable price, unfortunately none in 20 gauge, so sad as I have a 12 and a 16 gauge, wish they would have made a 20 and a 410, would have been sweet!
Although these Turkish shotguns suffer from the same complex that the Spanish shotguns did in the 1960-70ish period, they were always viewed as less than, not as good as, and so forth, but this could be farther from the truth than possible, if you need a CZ bobwhite 20gauge, getg ahold of Clay at Prophet River, or give me a PM I can possibly help you out, cheers abd good luck, Dale Z!
It is too bad that CZ has to out source any gun production, they made one of the best field grade sidelocks for an affordable price, unfortunately none in 20 gauge, so sad as I have a 12 and a 16 gauge, wish they would have made a 20 and a 410, would have been sweet!
Although these Turkish shotguns suffer from the same complex that the Spanish shotguns did in the 1960-70ish period, they were always viewed as less than, not as good as, and so forth, but this could be farther from the truth than possible, if you need a CZ bobwhite 20gauge, getg ahold of Clay at Prophet River, or give me a PM I can possibly help you out, cheers abd good luck, Dale Z!
fishslinger
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern ontario
Thay shoot slugs well too.
While I'm not in the gun business, I am in the business of wholesale distribution of brand name consumer products. When using distributors (rather than corporate subs) there is usually agreements in place that define where and through who the product for each country will be sourced. Occasionally we can get product from another distributor, say from the US, but that is the exception, not the rule.
It strikes my that CZ has completely normal differentiation between US and Canadian markets, from what I'm reading on this thread.
It strikes my that CZ has completely normal differentiation between US and Canadian markets, from what I'm reading on this thread.
