Introducing the CZ Redhead Premier
The world of shotguns is a diverse landscape, filled with models designed for everything from clay shooting to waterfowl hunting. Among the myriad options, the over/under shotgun holds a special place, revered for its balance, elegance, and versatility. Today, we’re focusing on one particularly compelling option: the CZ Redhead Premier. This review will explore what makes the Redhead Premier a standout in the crowded field of over/under shotguns, looking closely at its features, performance, and the value it offers.
CZ-USA has built a solid reputation in the firearms industry for producing high-quality, reliable, and often beautifully crafted firearms, offering shooters a blend of performance and value. The Redhead Premier perfectly embodies this ethos. Positioned as a mid-range offering within CZ’s shotgun lineup, it’s designed to cater to a wide audience, from seasoned hunters and sport shooters to those just starting their journey with over/under shotguns.
The Redhead Premier distinguishes itself with its blend of functionality, aesthetics, and affordability. It’s a well-built shotgun, offering the kind of features and performance that typically come with a higher price tag. This makes it an attractive choice for those seeking a refined shooting experience without breaking the bank. This review will provide a comprehensive look at the Redhead Premier, helping you determine if it’s the ideal shotgun to add to your collection.
Exploring the Features and Specifications of the CZ Redhead Premier
The Redhead Premier is a shotgun built with attention to detail. Let’s delve into the key aspects that define this firearm.
Examining Key Components
Action Type: The Redhead Premier is, at its heart, an over/under shotgun. This design is appreciated for its balance, clean sight picture, and reduced muzzle rise compared to side-by-side shotguns. It offers a sleek and streamlined profile, making it easier to swing and track moving targets.
Gauge Options: The Redhead Premier is available in the popular 12-gauge and 20-gauge configurations, allowing shooters to select the best option to fit their needs. The 12-gauge is a powerful option for everything from sporting clays to waterfowl, while the 20-gauge is a lighter, more manageable choice, especially useful for smaller-statured shooters or for those who prefer less recoil.
Barrel Lengths: CZ offers the Redhead Premier with a range of barrel lengths to suit various shooting disciplines. Common lengths include 28-inch and 30-inch barrels. Longer barrels tend to offer a more consistent swing and sight picture, while shorter barrels are more maneuverable in tight spaces.
Choke Tubes: The Redhead Premier ships with a set of interchangeable choke tubes, offering versatility for different shooting scenarios. The user can fine-tune the shot pattern to the target range and the type of ammunition being used. Chokes typically included are improved cylinder, modified, and full, but this can vary.
Ejectors: The Redhead Premier typically features automatic ejectors that reliably remove spent shells after firing. This is a time-saving feature, especially during quick follow-up shots in sporting clays or hunting situations.
Receiver Material: The robust receiver is typically constructed of steel, chosen for its strength and durability. This ensures the shotgun will withstand the rigors of regular use. The receiver is often adorned with tasteful engraving, adding an aesthetic appeal.
Stock and Forend: The Redhead Premier often features a beautiful walnut stock and forend. This provides an aesthetic appeal, and provides a comfortable and secure grip. The wood is usually finished with a protective coating, adding to both its beauty and resilience. The checkering offers enhanced grip and visual appeal.
Trigger: The Redhead Premier often features a crisp and responsive trigger, contributing to a more satisfying and accurate shooting experience. The trigger pull is typically clean, and the reset is positive.
Delving into the Details
Barrels: The barrels are manufactured to provide consistent patterns and accuracy. The internal bore of the barrels is designed to minimize felt recoil and distribute the shot pattern evenly. The quality of the barrels is critical for reliable performance.
Receiver: The receiver is the heart of the shotgun, housing the action, firing mechanism, and providing a solid platform for the barrels and stock. The steel construction provides strength and durability. The engraving, if present, adds to the elegance.
Stock and Forend: The stock and forend determine the ergonomics of the shotgun. A properly fitted stock is critical for comfortable shooting and accuracy. The Redhead Premier stock is designed to provide a comfortable and secure grip, allowing the shooter to maintain control.
Trigger: A good trigger is critical to accurate shooting. The trigger on the Redhead Premier typically offers a clean pull and a positive reset, allowing for rapid and accurate follow-up shots.
Chokes: Choke tubes allow the shooter to fine-tune the shot pattern. Different chokes constrict the shot column to varying degrees, affecting the spread of the pellets.
Safety: The safety mechanism is designed to prevent accidental firing. The Redhead Premier will feature a reliable safety design, often conveniently located for easy access.
Examining Performance and Handling
Beyond its specifications, the CZ Redhead Premier excels in its performance and handling characteristics.
Shooting Experience in Depth
The CZ Redhead Premier’s shooting experience is generally quite pleasant. The gun is often well-balanced, contributing to a smooth swing and easy target acquisition. Recoil, even with heavier loads, is typically manageable, thanks to the gun’s weight and design. The balance makes the Redhead Premier feel lively in the hands, allowing for quick transitions between targets. The gun is also known for its accuracy, with well-defined patterns at various distances. The combination of these features results in a satisfying and effective shooting experience.
Reliability in Practice
The CZ Redhead Premier is known for its reliability. Properly maintained, it is designed to function flawlessly. Malfunctions are uncommon, and the gun typically handles a wide range of ammunition types. The ejectors are usually efficient, and the gun is usually easy to clean and maintain. This dependability makes it a trusted companion for both casual shooters and those who rely on their shotgun for hunting or competition.
Ergonomics and Comfort: The User’s Perspective
The ergonomics of the Redhead Premier often make it comfortable to shoot for extended periods. The stock is often well-shaped, offering a good cheek weld and a comfortable grip. The controls are typically positioned for easy access, and the overall feel of the gun is often well-balanced. The forend is often comfortable to hold and allows for a firm grip, even in damp conditions.
Field Testing in Real-World Scenarios
The CZ Redhead Premier has shown versatility in various environments, whether it’s the sporting clays course, or the hunting field. Its balance and accuracy make it suitable for a wide range of shooting activities. In a hunting scenario, the Redhead Premier provides reliable performance, ensuring that it does the job when it is needed most.
Weighing the Advantages and Disadvantages
No firearm is perfect. Let’s consider the pros and cons of the CZ Redhead Premier.
The Positive Attributes
Exceptional Value: The Redhead Premier consistently provides excellent value for the money, offering features typically found in more expensive shotguns.
Reliability: The gun’s reliability is frequently praised, with smooth operation and minimal malfunctions.
Aesthetic Appeal: The walnut stock adds a touch of elegance and classic styling.
Trigger Performance: The crisp trigger enhances the shooting experience.
Accuracy: The shotgun provides consistent and predictable patterns.
Potential Drawbacks
Weight Considerations: Some shooters may find the Redhead Premier somewhat heavy compared to other over/under shotguns.
Trigger Considerations: While generally good, some users may have a different preference in trigger pull weight.
Comparison and Alternatives
When considering the CZ Redhead Premier, it’s helpful to compare it to its competitors.
Other Shotguns to Consider
Within the mid-range over/under market, the Mossberg Silver Reserve and Stoeger Condor are common competitors. These shotguns also offer good value and features. The selection of which shotgun is “best” is ultimately a personal choice, but understanding the options helps with the buying decision.
The Pros and Cons of the Competition
Each competitor has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these details allows you to make a more informed decision. Compare the Redhead Premier’s features, handling characteristics, and price point against these other options to determine which best suits your requirements.
Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations
After a careful review, the CZ Redhead Premier proves to be a great choice for those looking for an over/under shotgun.
Summarizing the Major Points
The Redhead Premier is a well-built, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing shotgun. Its performance on the range and in the field is usually consistent and satisfying. The excellent value, reliability, and features make it an attractive option.
Making a Recommendation
The CZ Redhead Premier is ideal for shooters seeking a blend of performance, quality, and value. It is well-suited for beginners and experienced shooters. The reliable performance and attractive features make it a great all-around shotgun.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in the market for a well-made, accurate, and reliable over/under shotgun, the CZ Redhead Premier definitely deserves your consideration. It combines all the core elements of a great shotgun.
