Does anyone on the forum own or have some experience with the newer Antonio Zoli rifles built on an improved version of the Husqvarna or Carl Gustaf 1900 action? That action was superb and, in the minds of many, the best action that Husqvarna came up with. Zoli has taken over production of this action, and along the way, has introduced some changes--a new trigger for one. It looks like a nice rifle. I'm not sure just how available they are here in Canada, but I believe that at least one importer has picked them up. I'd be interested in hearing from those who've handled them.
Anyone Have Experience with the Antonio Zoli 1900 Rifle?
- Thread starter South Pender
- Start date
Yes, I agree about the engraving. It looks nice, but couldn't possibly be completely hand-done at the price these rifles are selling. Does anyone know how this kind of engraving is done?
Nonetheless, the Zoli rifle does incorporate some definite improvements over the original Husqvarna 1900 action: the new trigger, the separate bolt stop (rather than using the trigger sear as a bolt stop), improved safety that allows cycling the action with the safety on. I hope the Zoli model has done away with the tacky alloy bottom metal on the original Husqvarna/Carl Gustaf.
Nonetheless, the Zoli rifle does incorporate some definite improvements over the original Husqvarna 1900 action: the new trigger, the separate bolt stop (rather than using the trigger sear as a bolt stop), improved safety that allows cycling the action with the safety on. I hope the Zoli model has done away with the tacky alloy bottom metal on the original Husqvarna/Carl Gustaf.
Honestly from looking at those pics, it's probably investment casting, looks really cheesy.
I'd rather go for a used HVA 1600 series, may as well have CRF action then a push feed, want a push feed there are Tikkas/CZ ect that are as good or better all around.
The triggers are okay for hunting with the 1600/1900, they are not a heavy pull, but have a crazy amount of over travel, I don't have any issue getting MOA or better out of the old guns, and the early 1600's came with nice polished blue steel trigger guard floor plates.
I'd rather go for a used HVA 1600 series, may as well have CRF action then a push feed, want a push feed there are Tikkas/CZ ect that are as good or better all around.
The triggers are okay for hunting with the 1600/1900, they are not a heavy pull, but have a crazy amount of over travel, I don't have any issue getting MOA or better out of the old guns, and the early 1600's came with nice polished blue steel trigger guard floor plates.
What looks cheesy about the action? Is it the engraving you don't like? As for it being an investment casting, I believe I've seen reference in Zoli ads that the action is machined from solid bar stock--like the original HVAs.
Yes, I think the trigger that Zoli uses is an improvement over the original Husqvarna trigger. With the Zoli trigger, the sear doesn't have to do double duty as a bolt stop and, I believe, has more adjustment potential. The Zoli trigger uses ball bearings, so is perhaps somewhat akin to the excellent Bix'n Andy trigger. And it can be ordered with the single set trigger option--something we're seeing on a number of other new rifles like the Sakos.
- Location
- Steel Town
It's a photochemical etching process. I am not exactly sure how it works, but early Brno's employed a similar technique. I highly doubt the Zoli receivers are investment cast. They look like nice rifles, but as Hitzy said, if you want a quality push feed, CZ and Tikka are probably the most sensible choices.
Depending on the year you can find real engraving on them.
Tikka did make some models that could compete but the 1900s, Zoli or others, are in another league than the T3.
tell me more about that ...
I guess that depends on what you mean by "real engraving." If you mean having an engraver do the pattern entirely by hand (as in some custom guns), then you aren't going to find that on a regularly-priced production model.
Here's what real hand-engraving looks like, first in the white:
and then once blued (the oval with the squirrel engraving is done with a French Grey finish):
That level and style of true hand-engraving costs thousands. (The particular rifle shown, a Sako P94S .22LR, was engraved by Bruce Farman, a member of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild.) What we see on the Zolis (and many others, like the deluxe Sakos) is most certainly machine done or at the very least machine-aided at a low cost and requiring minimal human involvement.
These Zoli rifles (and others using the 1900-action) are in a completely different class than the Tikkas and CZs. In his excellent and comprehensive book, The Bolt Action Vol. II, Stuart Otteson wrote:
"If prizes were awarded in firearms design, this Carl Gustaf [the 1900 series] rifle would surely be at or near the top in the category of commercial bolt actions. The short lifespan of what Eric Cläesson described as the "pearl" of FFV's sporting arms line is thus particularly ironic and regrettable
"It was neither perfect nor remarkably novel or innovative. The trigger could use some work, and a lot of people didn't care much for the die-cast trigger guard [that would be my only criticism]. A safety thumbpiece made from something other than sheet metal would have looked a lot nicer. Yet it was overall a refreshingly sound and well balanced action, crisp and uncluttered, and embodying consummate good taste. It exuded precision and workmanship, and functioned with a smoothness rare in modern rifles."
Otteson was referring to the run of the Swedish 1900s; the Zoli carries that on to the present time.
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not the ones i handled. cz550 is way over it and tikka is a good 500 dollar rifle sold for more ...
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Why spend a G note when you can have the exact same thing in an Axis for 5 hundo.
axis are not in the same league and the price was 350 not that long ago ...
- Location
- Steel Town
And I was misquoted... I said CZ or Tikka are more sensible choices. The Savage Axis, Mossberg or the entry Rugers are not in the same League.
Back on topic... the 1900 series were fine rifles, but they have nothing over a CZ557 or Tikka T3. These modern push feed rifles have better triggers and tighter tolerances, and you can get both with nice walnut stocks. The only advantage with the Zoli, in my opinion, is that the Zoli might have polished blued finishes, but I am not certain. You have to pay a bundle more for that.
Back on topic... the 1900 series were fine rifles, but they have nothing over a CZ557 or Tikka T3. These modern push feed rifles have better triggers and tighter tolerances, and you can get both with nice walnut stocks. The only advantage with the Zoli, in my opinion, is that the Zoli might have polished blued finishes, but I am not certain. You have to pay a bundle more for that.
