Zoli Columbus shotgun?

[caorach]

Has anyone any thoughts or views on the Zoli Columbus shotgun?

I know nothing about shotguns but went looking for one to a chap I know who sells them and he, basically, put out a selection of different makes and said "throw them up, see which feels best" and as I result I came away with a Zoli. As I've said I know nothing about shotguns but understand that I rejected a range of Berettas, Brownings etc. in the process, they all look the same to me. Now I'd guess the Zoli is probably almost worthless second hand, unlike a Beretta, but it will probably be the only shotgun I will own plus I got it at a very good price indeed so this will not be a factor for me.

However, they seem very uncommon and even on looking around the web I can't seem to understand their models and range so I was just nosy to see if there was any general info on them or what people thought of them.

The only info I have is that, somewhat oddly, it appears to have two barrels and the ammo is made of plastic.

 

[Essexsussex]

For what its worth (I know this isn't an answer to the actual question) Zoli are a favourite of mine in rifle terms. They have taken on the Husqvarna 1900 action which is a personal favourite and make high quality very ergonomically considered guns. I cant wait to hear a bit more about the shotgun as there could be room in my cabinet for something similar one day...

 

[caorach]

I cant wait to hear a bit more about the shotgun as there could be room in my cabinet for something similar one day...

As an absolute beginner with the shotgun I really can't comment other than to say it appears better put together and better value than a Beretta and seemed to fit me a little better. Reasonable wood, way ahead of anything in a similar "silver pigeon grade 1" type price range, which if I give it the full English oil treatment would look like a Purdey It feels the best of the ones I tried, but that tells you nothing, and for me is very pointable and fast handling plus I patterned it with a friend who is very experienced with shotguns and he was well impressed no matter what cartridge we put in it, but I'd guess most modern shotguns would do the same. For what it is worth Teague do a full set of after market chokes for it if you are interested.

On the down side there don't seem to be many of them about and Zoli seem to "come and go" here in the UK so I've no idea how maintainable it will be in the longer term, the Columbus probably can't break into the market against the likes of Beretta and Browning, though the Zoli clay guns seem to be doing a bit better. This means the 2nd hand value is likely to be low. For someone like me who will probably only shoot 300 shells per year and who has no real interest in "guns" but just in getting out and about I'm hopeful it will last me a lifetime plus I got mine at a significant discount leaving it much better value than the obvious competition.

 

[Essexsussex]

“ It feels the best of the ones I tried, but that tells you nothing, and for me is very pointable and fast handling”

that tells you everything! That is what you need most with a shotgun. And i am really unsurprised to hear it with a Zoli gun. If it is a new gun i would be surprised if anything went wrong in the medium term (ie out of guarantee, you may get short term toothing problems with any piece of engineering made by anyone) especially considering the use you are suggested. Also most of the common parts are easily made by a gunsmith so I wouldn’t stress.

Enjoy it, which of course you will more because you like it!

 

[caorach]

Enjoy it, which of course you will more because you like it!

Thank you, I had it out for a full "functional check" and it is all working just fine plus we patterned a range of shells from 7.5s right up to the AAA Alphamax fox load and they look great on paper. It is basically an excuse for a few days out at clays, a bit of a walk for a crow or a fox plus maybe in the future I might like to try for a MacNab just to have done that

 

[Baldman]

From what i under stand Zoli shotguns had an input regarding their design from SJ Fawcett of Lancaster . The construction is good quality , i know of a few that have had large amounts cartridges through and still function fine , they have a drop out trigger as on many high end Italian guns . My son shoots a Columbus and it does feel well balanced and handles nicely . Make sure that it is a Columbus not one of the old Zolis from the 90s as they are not very good . Hope this helps