Description
Picture this: you’re walking a Missouri field edge at dawn, the air crisp. A covey flushes, and your swing is pure instinct. Your hands find the pistol grip, the single selectable trigger lets you choose your barrel, and the shot breaks clean. That’s the experience the CZ SHARP-TAIL is built for. It’s a modern side-by-side shotgun engineered with classic field use in mind, blending traditional lines with reliable, updated mechanics for the practical hunter.
The CZ SHARP-TAIL is a 16-gauge side-by-side shotgun featuring a one-piece CNC-machined receiver, a single selectable mechanical trigger, and fixed IC/MOD chokes. With a 28-inch barrel and weighing 7.3 lbs, it’s a balanced, purpose-built field gun for upland and clays shooting. It ships to Missouri and compliant US states.
Modern Reliability in a Classic Platform
Let’s talk about what’s under the hood. The heart of this shotgun is its one-piece CNCed receiver. This isn’t an old-school assembly; it’s a precision-machined foundation that provides consistent lockup and durability. Inside, you’ll find independent floating firing pins and coil spring-operated hammers. This design is less susceptible to weather and fouling than traditional leaf springs, offering more consistent ignition. The newly designed sears contribute to a crisp, predictable trigger pull. The result? A side-by-side that’s built for the long haul, with modern reliability that fits out of the box—no gunsmithing required to get it field-ready.
Features Built for the Field
The Sharp-Tail’s 16-gauge chambering is a sweet spot for many hunters. It offers a lighter recoil impulse than a 12-gauge but carries more payload than a 20, making it ideal for sustained shooting over dogs or a long day chasing pheasants. The 28-inch barrel provides a smooth, steady swing, and the fixed Improved Cylinder and Modified chokes are perfectly suited for most upland scenarios. The semi-beavertail forend gives you a solid, repeatable hand position, while the manual safety is intuitively placed for quick, silent disengagement. At about 7.3 lbs, it carries easily without feeling whippy or insubstantial.
Specifications
| Gauge | 16 GA |
| Action | Side by Side |
| Capacity | 2 Rounds |
| Barrel Length | 28″ |
| Weight | 7.3 lbs |
| Chokes | Fixed IC/MOD |
Pros & Cons
Pros: The modern mechanical trigger and coil-spring hammer system are significant upgrades for reliability. The 16-gauge is a versatile, manageable field caliber. The CNC receiver ensures solid construction. The pistol grip and semi-beavertail forend offer excellent control.
Cons: Fixed chokes limit versatility compared to threaded choke tubes. The two-round capacity is standard for a side-by-side but a limitation for some applications. At a price point of $986.56, it’s an investment in a specialized tool.
Who It’s For
This shotgun is for the hunter who appreciates the fast handling and pointability of a side-by-side but doesn’t want to worry about maintaining a vintage gun’s more delicate internals. It’s for the Missouri wingshooter chasing quail, woodcock, or pheasant over a good dog. It’s also a solid choice for a shooter looking for a straightforward, durable gun for casual clays—think sporting clays courses with true-pair presentations. If your needs demand multiple choke changes or a higher shell capacity, a quality over/under or semi-auto might be a better fit. That said, for its intended role, the Sharp-Tail delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the trigger truly mechanical, and how does the selection work?
A: Yes, it’s a single, non-inertial mechanical trigger. A small sliding switch in front of the trigger allows you to select which barrel fires first—right or left. This gives you control over your choke sequence (IC then MOD, or vice versa) based on the target.
Q: Can the fixed chokes be modified or tubes installed?
A: While a skilled gunsmith could potentially thread the barrels for choke tubes, it is a major modification not recommended by the manufacturer. The fixed IC/MOD setup is intended as a final, durable configuration for its designated use.
Q: What’s the real advantage of the coil spring hammers?
A: Coil springs, compared to traditional leaf springs, are generally more resistant to fatigue and less affected by temperature changes and moisture. This translates to more consistent hammer fall and ignition over the life of the gun, a clear benefit for a field firearm.
Ready to handle a modern classic? The CZ SHARP-TAIL 16-gauge is available at firearms-missouri.com for Missouri residents and nationwide. FFL transfer required for firearm purchases.
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