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Shotgun Test 2009
Outdoor Life's Shooting Editor John Snow and team test the best shotguns on the market for 2009.
Caesar Guerini Apex Sporting When it comes to building shotguns that blend beauty, performance and value, no one is doing a better job than Caesar Guerini, which has again earned top honors in our annual shotgun test, this time with its new Apex Sporting over/under.
The reason for Guerini’s success is not a secret—the company delivers stylish and smartly designed guns at better prices than its double-gun competition. Whether you look at the quality of the wood, the overall fit and finish, the intricate engraving or the nuts-and-bolts ergonomics and handling, it’s difficult to find fault with Guerini’s products.
At nearly 8 1/2 pounds, the Apex is a big gun. Its 32-inch barrels and substantially proportioned stock are geared specifically for sporting clays. Once its barrels get moving, they track smoothly, which is a benefit when a target’s line of flight is pre-established. The heft of the stock makes shooting hundreds of targets over the course of a day less punishing, as do the innovative adjustable recoil-reducing weight inserts embedded in the stock, which also let the shooter fine-tune the gun’s balance by changing the amount of weight he employs.
The only hiccup in the Apex’s performance, and one that we’ve seen with other Guerinis that happen to share a common action design, is a tendency for somewhat erratic shell ejection.
The sharp and fine checkering on the grip and forend provide solid gripping areas, and the palm swell on the right-hand side of the grip adds a measure of control for the shooter as well.
Its crisp triggers, the best of the shotguns tested, add considerably to the shootability of the gun. The Apex is one of those guns that seems to glide toward the target, the end result being a satisfying cloud of orange shards raining across the field. It’s a winner by any measure. ($7,550; gueriniusa.com)
Overall Rating 4 stars Workmanship A+ Performance A+ Price/Value A Testers’ Comments: A lot of gun—in terms of quality, durability, class and performance—for the price. * Gorgeous engraving, checkering and wood. * Has one of the most striking engraving patterns of any production gun on the market. * Great triggers. * Doesn’t have especially trim lines—kind of boxy, but that’s okay on a sporting clays gun. * Those 32-inch barrels love to swing. * Great fun on long crossers. AdvertisementRelated PhotosSUBMIT YOUR PHOTOSADVERTISEMENT |
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Photo Gallery Comments (13)
This gun has a $7,550 price tag and it gets an "A" in price/value??? This is the most expensive gun tested!! Come on Outdoorlife and get with it!! Do you not understand what is going on with the economy right now? Thousands of people are losing their jobs everyday and you think $7,550 is a good deal?? Not everyone is an editor of a magazine. Not everyone that reads your magazine can just throw away $7,550 on a gun!! GET WITH IT OUTDOORLIFE!!!!!
LOL, these guns guns with $3000 and $7000 price tags are no A rating with price/value! I think you need to go back to the drawing board on this article....
Some very nice firearms there
Nice, but way too rich for my blood.
I do think a wake up call is in order Outdoor Life because I agree with some of the comments on this forum. Perhaps focusing on the value aspect of the new crop of shotguns would have shown an appreciation and sympathy for your readers during hard times. In fairness, you did present the new Remington pump and the Weatherby pump that seem to me to be decent shotguns at a very reasonable price. For some folks in difficult times that could be overlooked and the focus fall on the $7500 luxury model which is out of the reach of someone struggling with the grocery bill. Personally, the Baretta with the kick off feature caught my eye. I have never hunted with an over and under shotgun and with the heavy recoil of steel hunting loads I doubted that I would ever be interested in using one, This kick off feature could tame the recoil issue and turn this fine looking trap gun into a field gun. I wonder if the CZ Redhead which was noted as a best value in previous years by Outdoor Life has such a feature?
where is the remington 1100 has been and still is the top choice for the average shooter as well as a fvaorite on skeet fields across north america.
Well, OL did say here was something for everyone and did recommend a best buy as well as editor's choice. I intimately know what it's like to go through hard times and still appreciate articles on fine guns as well as good working guns. There's hardworking people making a living putting each one of these together. If someone is in a position to purchase an expensive gun and support them that is just fine with me.
I must extend my comments - the Guerini is an Italian made shotgun. But there are people in the US making a living off their sales. It is still a fine shotgun for the money and I will not fault anyone for buying one. If you insist on buying a fine American made over/under, the picking are very slim. Only O/Us actually made in the US that I can think of right now are Koler, Ruger, and the upcoming Ithaca.
6phunter, the 1100 has been around for decades. This is a test of new shotguns for 2009.
Consider the Guerini in the same aspect as a Ferrari or Supermodel...we all like to look at them regardless of whether we can afford to have one around.
Everybody like "nice" inlay, but OMG $7550 ! For what? Something to look at? Some real nice 4x4 trucks(used) are'nt that much. I know, I'm looking !
Nice guns but a bit pricey for an old retired soljer!
If you're shooting for "something for everyone" I guess I'm looking for my Mossy 500. So, call me cheap. I guess if I find something that works well, I don't find a need for fancy engravings and stuff. Function and value are more important to me than flash, which I'm guessing your readership relates to, judging from above comments.
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where is the remington 1100 has been and still is the top choice for the average shooter as well as a fvaorite on skeet fields across north america.
Well, OL did say here was something for everyone and did recommend a best buy as well as editor's choice. I intimately know what it's like to go through hard times and still appreciate articles on fine guns as well as good working guns. There's hardworking people making a living putting each one of these together. If someone is in a position to purchase an expensive gun and support them that is just fine with me.
Consider the Guerini in the same aspect as a Ferrari or Supermodel...we all like to look at them regardless of whether we can afford to have one around.
Nice, but way too rich for my blood.
I do think a wake up call is in order Outdoor Life because I agree with some of the comments on this forum. Perhaps focusing on the value aspect of the new crop of shotguns would have shown an appreciation and sympathy for your readers during hard times. In fairness, you did present the new Remington pump and the Weatherby pump that seem to me to be decent shotguns at a very reasonable price. For some folks in difficult times that could be overlooked and the focus fall on the $7500 luxury model which is out of the reach of someone struggling with the grocery bill. Personally, the Baretta with the kick off feature caught my eye. I have never hunted with an over and under shotgun and with the heavy recoil of steel hunting loads I doubted that I would ever be interested in using one, This kick off feature could tame the recoil issue and turn this fine looking trap gun into a field gun. I wonder if the CZ Redhead which was noted as a best value in previous years by Outdoor Life has such a feature?
Everybody like "nice" inlay, but OMG $7550 ! For what? Something to look at? Some real nice 4x4 trucks(used) are'nt that much. I know, I'm looking !
This gun has a $7,550 price tag and it gets an "A" in price/value??? This is the most expensive gun tested!! Come on Outdoorlife and get with it!! Do you not understand what is going on with the economy right now? Thousands of people are losing their jobs everyday and you think $7,550 is a good deal?? Not everyone is an editor of a magazine. Not everyone that reads your magazine can just throw away $7,550 on a gun!! GET WITH IT OUTDOORLIFE!!!!!
LOL, these guns guns with $3000 and $7000 price tags are no A rating with price/value! I think you need to go back to the drawing board on this article....
Some very nice firearms there
I must extend my comments - the Guerini is an Italian made shotgun. But there are people in the US making a living off their sales. It is still a fine shotgun for the money and I will not fault anyone for buying one. If you insist on buying a fine American made over/under, the picking are very slim. Only O/Us actually made in the US that I can think of right now are Koler, Ruger, and the upcoming Ithaca.
6phunter, the 1100 has been around for decades. This is a test of new shotguns for 2009.
Nice guns but a bit pricey for an old retired soljer!
If you're shooting for "something for everyone" I guess I'm looking for my Mossy 500. So, call me cheap. I guess if I find something that works well, I don't find a need for fancy engravings and stuff. Function and value are more important to me than flash, which I'm guessing your readership relates to, judging from above comments.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)