Varmint, the only questions with the Huglu / CZ / DeHaan guns seems to be about reliability and durability. No one seems to question whether the guns handle and shoot well enough, nor do they complain about the fit and finish relative to the price.
There have been complaints about quality control. There are questions about the durability of the locks and bolting system. A number of junky Huglus imported by returning American servicemen have added no good to the marque's reputation. The bottom line is that no one really knows how the current (CZ marketed) product will stand up over the long term, the gun is as yet too new to tell.
I've had a 12 gauge DeHaan in my hands, and I wouldn't be ashamed to be seen with it. The guns do hit a price point that nicely fills the gap between the clunkier Russian and Brazilian guns and the lighter, better handling Ruger Gold Label.
The Huglus actually have much better wood to metal fit than the Ruger, and are adorned with engraving / etching while the Ruger is starkly plain. Despite Hnachaj's contentions earlier in this thread, the strength of the Ruger is in its handling qualities. For a 12 gauge with 3 inch chambers, the Ruger is amazingly light (no more than 6 1/2 lbs, often less) but it is the distribution of that weight that is the real secret. I fundamentally disagree with Henry when he states that a Sterlingworth will outshoot the Ruger. Outlast it maybe, but not outshoot it.
In any case, the 12 gauge DeHaan I had in my hands was certainly no match for the Ruger in the weight, balance and handling departments. That is what you pay the extra money for, I guess. Overall, however, the Huglu is a very nice package. If the gun is built with sufficient quality to last a generation or two, then it represents very good value.
Sharptail
