Caesar Guerini Avian review: A striking and modern italian shotgun

The brand, still considered something of a new kid on the block when measured against the epochal timelines of companies such as Browning and Beretta, really started gaining traction for me with the arrival of the Summit. Using a common action design that underpins a great many guns in the CG stable, the Summit was a Sporter with a variety of rib options, excellent chokes and strong ergonomics that went head-to-head with the B guns in the mid-range market. Backed by aggressive marketing, excellent customer support and pricing that made the guns hard to ignore, it quickly established itself as a serious contender.

When the brand launched the Invictus in 2014, it was clear it meant business. Engineered for “a million shells”, it featured an innovative action with modular interchangeable parts in critical bearing and lock-up areas, along with excellent handling to pit it against the likes of the Beretta DT11 and Blaser F3. While the company continued to rack up medals with an increasing roster of sponsored shooters, and innovate with variations on the Invictus formula, it also maintained a steady pace of releasing new models that were based on the less complex action design for both clays and game alike, including the graceful Ellipse, the Syren designed for lady shooters, and the stunning Revenant.

Options and availability of the Avian

The latest of these is what we are looking at today: the Avian. Available in 12, 20, 28 and .410 bores, with barrel lengths ranging from 24in to 32in, it is classified as a field shotgun but offers plenty of options for feel and handling depending on bore and barrel length. The gun I am testing today is a 20-bore with 32in barrels – a slightly unusual combination but, as we will see later, an intriguing proposition.

In depth look at the barrels and finish

The barrels are well struck-off, with deep, attractive bluing, and feature ventilated mid and top ribs. The top rib is a 10×8 with a tramline and a discreet steel front bead. Moving away from the fad of solid ribs is, I believe, a good thing, as heat dissipation and mirage control are hugely improved, and the 10×8 works well for anyone accustomed to the sight picture of modern clay guns. The barrels are fitted with flush-fit Selectachoke chokes, have 3in chambers, and are proofed for superior steel shot.

The forend is a rounded Sporter style, with the latch protruding slightly from the leading edge – a feature common to all Caesars. Around the latch, a small teardrop is inlet into the wood. The laser chequering is neatly finished, and the wood on the test gun appeared to be around Grade 2/3, with an emphasis on strength over extravagant figuring.

Engraving and action details

The nicely scaled 20-bore action itself is where it all comes together, with game scenes rendered across all surfaces featuring an impressive roster of gamebirds and their habitats: pheasant, partridge, snipe and what I believe to be a ruffed grouse – a North American native and the state bird of Pennsylvania (thanks, Google) – on the underside of the action.

The Caesar Guerini logo sits subtly on the action fence and blends nicely with the engraving style. No surface is left untouched, as the engraving continues around the fences, down the top tang, and on to the toplever and trigger-guard.

Safety catch and trigger mechanism

The top tang also houses the barrel selector and safety catch. As this is a field gun, the safety is automatic, engaging every time the gun is opened and closed. This is probably my only real niggle with the Avian, in that I would prefer slightly more aggressive stippling or chequering on the safety catch. I found that the very fine stippling on the test gun made it a little difficult to operate at times, although I suspect the mechanism would loosen slightly with use and mitigate the issue.

The inertia trigger is non-adjustable and fitted with a slim blade. Trigger-pulls for both barrels were consistent, with no complaints regarding either crispness or weight.

Stock, grip and handling

The pistol grip is a Prince of Wales style, with an open radius and a flat cap that blends nicely into the slim stock. The grip has no palm swell and, with its sweeping curve and slender neck, is well suited to the versatile hold required of a game gun. Again, the laser chequering is neatly executed, and the stock is finished with an oil treatment that shows off the grain.

The gun is supplied in the usual CG-style case, complete with accessories, chokes, instructions, stickers, socks and all the associated gubbins nestled within the red velvet interior of the injection-moulded case.

Field testing the Caesar Guerini Avian

At 7lb (3.18kg), the 20-bore test gun sits at the heavier end of the spectrum for its calibre. However, in this 32in configuration it never felt ungainly. This is probably one of the Avian’s strengths: the shooter can find a gauge and barrel-length combination that suits their individual shooting style remarkably well.

Versatility across shooting disciplines

I tried the Avian on Sporting, Skeet, Sportrap and Super Sporting, although I drew the line at full Trap. The low comb and Prince of Wales grip are versatile enough for sporting and game shooting, but less suited to the repetitive pounding of dedicated Trap disciplines. Overall I found it very pleasant to shoot, although felt recoil from faster cartridges was certainly noticeable through the wooden butt plate during longer shooting sessions.

In this guise the Avian feels very much like a gun suited to the clay shooter looking for something lighter to take into the field than their usual clay basher, while still retaining enough familiarity in the swing to avoid feeling overly wand-like. The balance point sat well forward of the hinge pin, but this worked to provide a steady swing while keeping the weight manageable.

The 10×8 rib with tramline also adds to the sense of familiarity, meaning this gun would make an excellent crossover option for shooters who typically struggle with more traditional game guns. Buyers can opt for shorter barrels if they prefer something with a livelier swing, while still benefiting from what feels like a “proper” rib.

Final verdict on the Avian

I rather liked the Avian and I would have welcomed the opportunity to try some of the other barrel lengths on driven and walked-up game had it been the right season. The price is not unreasonable, although it does reflect the brand’s now firmly mainstream position, with pricing having risen to match its established competitors as the company has matured in the market.