I purchased the new CZ Reaper Magnum earlier this year, prior to turkey season. I was very excited for the O/U with a rail...and wasted no time installing my red dot and sighting it in...then, after many shells and being unable to adequately zero the shotgun, I realized upper and lower barrels were divergent.
I contacted customer service regarding that issue (and a few other non-defect issues) and the rep explained the "spec" for divergence was 4.5" between upper and lower at 25 yards...that would be 9" at 50 yards. I elected to hunt with my expensive single shot for the season and after season was over, reaffirmed for myself that yes, I was not imagining this..the barrels were divergent alot...over 15" at 40 yards by my math/experience so I sent it in.
Six or seven weeks later, after following up, the rep confirmed that my gun was out of spec and would get a replacement gun or barrels if I would wait...or refund, another gun. I elected to wait as I had plenty of time for small game season etc.... Then weeks became months and I contacted the rep again, there was no resolution. I was blown away...never have I run into that from a manufacturer with a clearly defective gun. And the exchange....well that was for shotguns only. Well, not only no...but *** no!
I elected the refund...but, CZ said they would not stand behind any expense except the purchase price....tax, FFL, transfer fee's etc was my loss. Things that make you go hmmm. In addition and of note, I read a review of the shotgun online and in the comments section, a person posted the same issue. A rep stepped in, addressed it in a professional manner in the comments and then poof...the post was gone. I posted a mild negative message as this was many months ago and I hadn't decided to send my gun in yet...that is what made me decide, yes I was going to send it in.
I don't know where that post went or what the outcome was, but I'd sure like to hear if anyone has had similar experiences. In addition, I purchased the gun from an on-line vendor, and when this shook out, I posted a negative rating "1" with detailed comments. After a few days, it was posted and then a week later I checked to see if anyone else commented on it and the online description of the gun was changed slightly and all the comments and ratings were gone(good and bad)...poof...buyer beware. I own 3 CZ pistols and they are awesome...the shotguns are made in Turkey I believe and are not of the same quality as the pistols.
Hopefully this post will not go poof...not all reviews are good and most people don't pattern their shotguns...most turkey hunter do though. I'm wondering if CZ doesn't have a large scale issue on their hands as the lack of a replacement was unusual to me...that would have been the most inexpensive way to get out of it and maintain good customer service....in this case, both the gun and the service were a miserable failure.
Oh, btw, I have not received my refund yet...maybe today? I think I'll buy some vinyl camo and an XF choke for my 11-87 and call it good for my turkey hunting gun.
Other negatives I mentioned.
1. XF and IM were tightest chokes sent....should have had two XF's and a F for a turkey hunter.
2. XF extended chokes, like the ones that came with it, were unavailable for purchase online.
3. The safety makes a loud "CLICK" when operating it....this cost me a turkey as it heard the click at 40yds
4. See above, you have to have the safety in "safe" position to select barrels...I had my IM selected and switched to the XF and woof woof woof...turkey gone
5. Gun is very stiff out of the box...have to "pry" it open sort of...likely would have worn in, but my SbS and single shots...just fall open
On the good side...the gun is light and I love the camo. The rail is really neat...could be improved if it was slightly raised so you could see the beads clearly should your optic's battery poop out. Kicks alot as it is light so no need for 3.5" magnums for me. Having the set of chokes is really a good idea, but if your going to make a turkey gun, then put chokes in it for turkey hunters....they took the Full out and replaced it with XF...probably should have taken the Cyl out and replaced it instead...comes with CYL, IC, LM, M, IM, XF..... IC, M, F, XF, XF and maybe LM would make a better selection imo....that last one up to the hunter.
