Caesar Guerini Avian review: how does this Italian over-and-under perform?

Caesar Guerini has been around for more than 25 years, which still surprises people who think of it as a relative newcomer. Brothers Giorgio and Antonio Guerini founded the company in 2000 in Brescia – the beating heart of Italian gunmaking – and it found early favour in the US market with models including the Flyway, Maxum and Apex. The brand arrived in the UK in 2005 through the newly formed Anglo Italian Arms, but it was Richard Faulds winning the 2013 World English Sporting Championship in Texas on a “CG” that really put the name on the map for British clay shooters.

The Summit was the gun that first made many shooters sit up and take notice. Built on the common action that underpins much of the CG range, it was a well-sorted Sporter with a strong rib specification, good chokes and sensible ergonomics that competed directly with established mid-range alternatives. Backed by effective marketing, responsive after-sales support and pricing that was hard to argue with, it quickly cemented itself as a serious choice.

The launch of the Invictus in 2014 made Caesar Guerini’s ambitions clear. Designed around modular, interchangeable components in critical wear areas and engineered for what the company described as a million shells, it went toe-to-toe with the Beretta DT11 and Blaser F3 at the top end of the clay market. Since then the company has kept developing the Invictus platform while releasing a steady stream of models on the simpler action design – among them the Ellipse, the Syren range for lady shooters and the striking Revenant. The Avian is the latest addition to that lineage.

Specifications

Prices are RRP at time of publication and may have changed.

Available options

The Avian is catalogued in 12, 20, 28 and .410 bores with barrel lengths running from 24in through to 32in. Although marketed as a field gun, the range of bore and barrel combinations gives buyers real scope to tailor the handling to their own style. The test gun – a 20-bore with 32-inch barrels – is not the most obvious combination on paper, but it turns out to be a more interesting proposition than you might expect.

Barrels and finish

The barrels are well finished, carrying a deep blue with ventilated mid and top ribs. The top rib is a 10×8 with a tramline and a plain steel front bead. Moving away from solid ribs is a sensible choice: heat disperses more efficiently, mirage is controlled, and the 10×8 profile will feel immediately familiar to anyone who spends regular time on the clay ground. Chambers are 3in and the barrels are proofed for superior steel shot, with flush-fit Selectachoke chokes throughout.

The forend is a rounded Sporter profile, the latch sitting proud of the leading edge in the way that is consistent across the CG range. A small teardrop inlet surrounds the latch. The laser chequering is neatly executed, and the wood on the test gun sits at around Grade 2/3 – prioritising strength and consistency over decorative figure.

The monobloc carries a laser-etched ersatz damascus finish – an unusual treatment that functions in the same way as engine turning, providing microscopic recesses for grease and particulate matter and thereby reducing friction and wear on the bearing surfaces. Lock-up is through a bifurcated lump from the base of the monobloc into a recess in the action floor, with bites engaging a sliding bar from the breech face. It is a proven design found in various forms across a great many over-and-unders.

Action and engraving

The 20-bore action is well proportioned for the calibre, and the engraving that covers it is extensive. Game scenes take in pheasant, partridge, snipe and what appears to be a ruffed grouse – a North American native and the state bird of Pennsylvania – on the underside. The Caesar Guerini logo sits quietly on the fence in keeping with the surrounding engraving, which continues across the fences, along the top tang and on to the toplever and trigger guard.

There is no shortage of detail, though in this reviewer’s view the scenes, while competently executed, could benefit from a touch more contrast. That said, game-scene engraving is a matter of taste, and plenty of shooters will find this style genuinely appealing.

Safety catch and trigger

The top tang carries both the barrel selector and the automatic safety catch. As expected on a field gun, the safety re-engages every time the action is cycled. The one minor gripe here is the stippling on the safety button. The fine pattern on the test gun made it slightly awkward to engage cleanly at times, though this would likely ease as the mechanism beds in with use.

The inertia trigger is non-adjustable and fitted with a slim blade. Pull weights on both barrels were consistent throughout testing, with nothing to complain about in terms of crispness or weight.

Stock and handling

The pistol grip is a Prince of Wales pattern with an open radius and a flat cap that flows neatly into the stock. There is no palm swell, and the slender neck and sweeping curve give it the versatile, neutral hold that serves well across different shooting disciplines. The oil-finished stock shows the wood grain well.

The butt plate is wooden, which completes the look, though a recoil pad would be a sensible addition for longer sessions while retaining the wooden plate for appearances. The 15in length of pull follows the current trend towards slightly longer stocks and suits the majority of shooters without adjustment.

The gun arrives in the standard CG injection-moulded case with chokes, instructions, stickers and socks nestled in the red velvet interior.

On the clay ground

At 7lb (3.18kg), the 20-bore test gun sits at the heavier end for its calibre, but in the 32in configuration it never felt unwieldy. This is perhaps the Avian’s defining quality: the range of bore and barrel combinations means a buyer can find a setup that genuinely suits the way they shoot rather than having to compromise.

Testing covered Sporting, Skeet, Sportrap and Super Sporting. The low comb and Prince of Wales grip make it versatile across these disciplines, though it is less well suited to dedicated Trap shooting. Overall the gun was very pleasant to use, with felt recoil from faster cartridges noticeable through the wooden butt plate during longer sessions.

The Avian handles like a gun built for the clay shooter who wants to take something lighter into the field without losing the sight picture and swing they are accustomed to. The balance point sits ahead of the hinge pin, which encourages a smooth, deliberate swing. The 10×8 rib reinforces the familiarity – for anyone who finds traditional game guns hard to adjust to, this would make a very useful crossover option.

Strengths and weaknesses

Strengths

• Wide choice of bore and barrel combinations
• Familiar 10×8 rib suits clay shooters moving into the field
• Well-balanced in the longer barrel configuration
• Neat laser chequering and consistent build quality throughout
• 3in chambers and steel shot proofing add versatility

Weaknesses

• Wooden butt plate can be punishing with heavier loads
• Safety stippling could be more positive
• Game-scene engraving style will not suit all tastes
• Price has risen to match established competitors

Verdict

The Avian is a well-thought-out addition to the Caesar Guerini catalogue. The range of bore and barrel combinations gives it genuine breadth, the handling in this 20-bore, 32in form is more assured than the specification alone might suggest, and the build quality is consistent with what the brand reliably delivers. The asking price reflects Caesar Guerini’s position as a fully established mainstream brand, but it is not unreasonable for what you get. If you are looking for a capable over-and-under that works on the clay ground and in the field without feeling like a compromise in either setting, the Avian earns a serious look.