CZ-USA Sharp-Tail 12GA 28" Side by Side Shotgun - 06401

CZ-USA Sharp-Tail Target 12 Gauge Side-by-Side Shotgun: The Quintessential Choice for Clay Shooters and Discerning Hunters

Are you searching for a high-performance shotgun that combines classic aesthetics with modern reliability, without compromising your budget? For enthusiasts of sporting clays, trap, or skeet, and gentlemen hunters who appreciate tradition, the CZ-USA Sharp-Tail Target 12 Gauge Side-by-Side Shotgun stands out as an exceptional choice. This meticulously crafted firearm is engineered to provide a seamless shooting experience, whether you're breaking clays on the range or pursuing upland game in the field.

What makes the CZ Sharp-Tail Target an ideal companion for serious shooters and hunters? It’s designed to answer specific needs:

• "What is the best affordable side-by-side shotgun for sporting clays?"
• "Which double barrel shotgun offers a great balance of classic looks and modern performance?"
• "How can I improve my swing and target acquisition in competitive shooting?"
• "What shotgun is versatile enough for both clay shooting and bird hunting?"
• "Where can I find a reliable and elegant 12-gauge shotgun that’s built to last?"

The CZ-USA Sharp-Tail Target is not merely a firearm; it's a testament to CZ's commitment to quality, offering a blend of traditional design and contemporary engineering that caters to both competitive aspirations and a deep appreciation for the art of shooting.

Unpacking the CZ Sharp-Tail Target: Features That Elevate Your Game

This particular iteration of the Sharp-Tail series, designed specifically for target shooting, inherits the robust and proven mechanics of the original Sharp-Tail but enhances them with features optimized for precision and performance.

The Heart of Precision: 30-Inch Barrels

One of the most significant upgrades for the CZ Sharp-Tail Target is its 30-inch barrel length. For clay shooters, this extended length is a game-changer. Why?

• Smoother Swing: Longer barrels provide a more fluid and controlled swing, crucial for tracking fast-moving targets like clays. The increased inertia helps maintain momentum through the shot, leading to more consistent breaks.
• Improved Sight Radius: A longer barrel naturally extends the distance between the front and rear sighting points, offering a more precise aiming plane. This enhanced sight picture contributes to greater accuracy, helping you fine-tune your lead and achieve those satisfying smoke balls.
• Consistent Patterning: Longer barrels often contribute to more consistent shot patterns, which is vital for effective target breaking and clean kills in hunting.

This thoughtful barrel length makes the Sharp-Tail Target a formidable tool in disciplines requiring deliberate and precise target acquisition, distinguishing it from shorter, more nimble hunting-focused shotguns.

Ergonomics and Fit: The 14 ¾ Inch Length of Pull

Comfort and proper fit are paramount for consistent shooting, especially during extended sessions on the range or long days in the field. The CZ Sharp-Tail Target features a 14 ¾ inch length of pull (LOP), a measurement carefully chosen to accommodate a wide range of shooters comfortably.

• Optimal Fit: A proper LOP ensures that your shoulder can comfortably seat the shotgun, allowing for natural head positioning on the stock and optimal eye alignment with the rib. This reduces strain and improves your ability to mount the gun quickly and consistently.
• Recoil Management: A well-fitting shotgun helps distribute recoil effectively, making the shooting experience more pleasant, particularly with the powerful 12-gauge loads.
• Reduced Fatigue: When your shotgun fits you well, you exert less effort to control it, leading to reduced fatigue and better performance over multiple rounds of sporting clays or a full day of hunting.

This attention to ergonomic detail reflects CZ-USA's understanding of what shooters need to perform at their best.

The Versatile Powerhouse: 12 Gauge Chambered for 3 Inches

The CZ Sharp-Tail Target is chambered in the universally popular 12 gauge, making it incredibly versatile. The 12 gauge is a workhorse, offering a wide array of ammunition options suitable for virtually any shooting scenario.

• Abundant Ammunition: 12-gauge shells are readily available in various shot sizes, loads, and velocities, catering to everything from light target loads for practice to heavy magnum loads for waterfowl or larger game.
• 3-Inch Chamber: The ability to chamber 3-inch shells provides additional power and payload capacity when needed, enhancing its utility for hunting larger birds or in situations where extended range is required. This flexibility means you're ready for any challenge, whether it’s a high-flying pheasant or a challenging crossing clay target.

Customizing Your Shot: The 5-Choke Set

One of the most crucial features for a versatile shotgun is its choke system. The CZ Sharp-Tail Target comes equipped with a set of 5 choke tubes, allowing you to fine-tune your shot pattern for different situations.

• Pattern Control: Choke tubes control the constriction of the barrel's muzzle, influencing how tightly the shot spreads after leaving the barrel.
• Adaptability:
  • Open Chokes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder): Ideal for close-range targets, fast-flushing birds, or skeet shooting where wide patterns are desired.
  • Medium Chokes (Modified): A versatile middle-ground, suitable for many sporting clays stations, dove hunting, or general upland game.
  • Tight Chokes (Full, Improved Modified): Perfect for long-range targets, high-flying geese, or specialized trap shooting where a dense pattern is needed to ensure a break or clean kill at distance.

  The ability to quickly change chokes means your Sharp-Tail Target can adapt on the fly, optimizing your performance across various disciplines and hunting environments.

The Beauty of Turkish Walnut and Classic Finishes

Beyond its mechanical prowess, the CZ Sharp-Tail Target possesses an undeniable aesthetic appeal.

• Turkish Walnut Stock: The stock is crafted from beautiful Turkish Walnut, known for its rich grain patterns and durability. This premium wood not only provides a comfortable and secure grip but also imparts a timeless, elegant look to the firearm. The classic lines of the stock complement the side-by-side design, creating a harmonious blend of form and function.
• Semi-Beavertail Forend: The semi-beavertail forend style offers a comfortable and substantial gripping surface, providing excellent control and stability, especially during follow-through on targets. Its wider profile helps to dissipate heat during extended shooting sessions and offers a comfortable platform for your lead hand.
• Color Case Hardened Receiver: The receiver boasts a stunning color case hardened finish. This traditional finishing process creates a unique, marbled pattern of blues, purples, and browns, making each shotgun truly unique. Beyond its visual appeal, color case hardening provides a durable, corrosion-resistant surface that protects the steel and adds to the longevity of the firearm.
• Gloss Black Chrome Barrels: The barrels are finished with a gloss black chrome, offering a sleek contrast to the receiver. This finish is not just for looks; it provides superior resistance to wear, corrosion, and the elements, ensuring the barrels maintain their pristine appearance even after extensive use in varied conditions.

These premium materials and finishes elevate the Sharp-Tail Target from a mere tool to a piece of functional art, echoing the tradition of fine double guns.

Reliability and Practicality: Extractor System and Raised Rib

• Extractor Mechanism: The Sharp-Tail Target utilizes an extractor system rather than ejectors. While ejectors forcibly throw spent shells clear, extractors simply lift them from the chamber, allowing for manual removal. This is often preferred by hunters who wish to retain their spent hulls for reloading or simply to keep the field clean. It also adds to the classic feel of the shotgun.
• Raised Rib: A raised rib along the top of the barrels provides a clear, elevated sighting plane that aids in natural target alignment and enhances your ability to focus on the target rather than the shotgun itself. This feature is particularly beneficial for fast-paced target shooting, ensuring a consistent sight picture.

Who Will Benefit Most from the CZ Sharp-Tail Target?

The CZ-USA Sharp-Tail Target is specifically designed for individuals who demand performance, classic style, and exceptional value.

The Dedicated Clay Shooter

For the aspiring or seasoned clay shooter, the Sharp-Tail Target is an outstanding choice. Its 30-inch barrels facilitate a smooth, controlled swing ideal for sporting clays, trap, and skeet. The included 5-choke set allows for quick adaptation to different stations and target presentations, ensuring you always have the optimal pattern. Whether you’re competing in local matches or enjoying a casual round with friends, this shotgun provides the precision and consistency needed to break targets confidently. It’s perfect for those seeking an upgrade from a single-barrel pump or semi-auto, or for anyone wanting to delve into the elegant world of double guns for competition without the prohibitive cost often associated with premium over-unders or side-by-sides.

The Gentleman (or Gentlewoman) Hunter

Beyond the range, the Sharp-Tail Target is a magnificent companion for the upland hunter. Its classic side-by-side configuration, Turkish walnut stock, and color case hardened receiver evoke a timeless hunting aesthetic.

• Upland Birds: Ideal for pursuit of pheasant, grouse, quail, dove, and partridge. Its balance and responsive nature make it quick to shoulder and point on fast-flushing birds.
• Waterfowl (select situations): While primarily designed for upland and target, the 12-gauge 3-inch chambering, combined with appropriate chokes and non-toxic shot, can certainly make it effective for decoying ducks or close-range goose hunting.
• Versatility: The ability to load two different choke/load combinations (e.g., an open choke for the first close shot, a tighter choke for a follow-up longer shot) is a distinct advantage of a double barrel in the field.

The Discerning Shooter Seeking Value

One of the most compelling aspects of the CZ Sharp-Tail Target is its exceptional value proposition. It delivers the elegance, handling, and performance typically found in shotguns costing significantly more. If you're looking for a "classy double gun that doesn't carry the accustomed weighty price tag," this is it. It offers a tangible upgrade in quality, feel, and aesthetic appeal over entry-level shotguns, making it a wise investment for years of reliable service.

New Owners and Experienced Enthusiasts Alike

Even if you are relatively new to shotgunning, the Sharp-Tail Target provides a very approachable platform. Its fixed breech design simplifies operation compared to semi-automatics, and the natural pointing characteristics make it intuitive to learn. For experienced shooters, it offers a refreshing return to the classic side-by-side form factor, providing a pure shooting experience that harks back to an earlier era of shotgunning excellence.

Unique Value Propositions and Performance Outcomes

When considering a new shotgun, several factors contribute to its overall value. The CZ-USA Sharp-Tail Target excels in multiple areas:

• Unmatched Elegance at its Price Point: Very few shotguns in its category can rival the visual appeal and craftsmanship of the Sharp-Tail Target. The Turkish walnut and color case hardening give it a bespoke feel, making it a gun you'll be proud to carry and display.
• Engineered for Performance: Every feature, from the 30-inch barrels to the length of pull and choke selection, is optimized for peak performance in target shooting scenarios. This isn't just a pretty face; it's a serious competitive tool.
• CZ-USA Reliability: CZ-USA has a long-standing reputation for producing robust, reliable firearms. The Sharp-Tail Target benefits from this heritage, offering consistent performance and durability that shooters can depend on.
• Enhanced Shooting Comfort: The balanced 8-pound weight helps absorb recoil, while the thoughtful ergonomics of the stock and forend contribute to a comfortable and steady shooting platform, allowing for longer sessions without undue fatigue.
• Genuine Versatility: Truly capable of transitioning seamlessly from competitive clay shooting to demanding hunting environments, offering two distinct applications within one beautifully crafted firearm.

This shotgun is a testament to the fact that you don't need to spend a fortune to own a highly capable, aesthetically pleasing, and utterly reliable double gun. It empowers you to perform better, enjoy your time afield or on the range more, and own a piece of classic firearm artistry.

Investing in Your Passion: The CZ-USA Sharp-Tail Target

Choosing the right shotgun is an investment in your passion for shooting sports and hunting. The CZ-USA Sharp-Tail Target 12 Gauge Side-by-Side Shotgun (UPC: 806703064017) represents an outstanding choice for anyone seeking a high-quality, versatile, and beautiful double gun. Its thoughtful design, premium materials, and performance-driven features ensure it will be a cherished firearm for years to come. Whether you're aiming for that perfect score on the sporting clays course or patiently waiting for the flush of a pheasant, this shotgun is built to deliver.

For those ready to experience the blend of classic tradition and modern performance, the CZ Sharp-Tail Target is available at DEGuns. As a trusted retailer, DEGuns offers a wide selection of firearms and accessories, ensuring you can find the perfect fit for your shooting needs with expert guidance. Explore the possibilities and elevate your shooting experience with this exceptional side-by-side shotgun.

CZ-USA Sharp-Tail Target 12 Gauge Shotgun Specifications