When the Tennessee sun rises over the soybean fields and the first covey of quail flushes wild, you need a shotgun that swings as naturally as your next breath. The CZ Redhead Premier O/U 20 Gauge is the kind of field gun that earns its place in a Tennessee truck rack—light enough for a full day of walking behind a bird dog, reliable enough for a long afternoon on the skeet range at Nashville Gun Club, and handsome enough to draw a nod from the old-timers at the hunt camp. Whether you’re chasing ruffed grouse in the Cumberland Plateau or breaking clays over a dove field near Jackson, this over/under is built for the work of an upland season.
What This Shotgun Is and Who It’s For
The CZ Redhead Premier O/U 20 Gauge is a field-grade over/under shotgun designed for upland bird hunters, clay target shooters, and collectors who appreciate a well-fitted, traditional double gun. It is not a tactical shotgun, nor is it intended for home defense or concealed carry—this is a purpose-built sporting arm for the field and the range. The 20-gauge chambering makes it an excellent choice for hunters who want less recoil and a lighter carry weight than a 12-gauge, while still delivering effective patterns on pheasants, quail, woodcock, and doves. Target shooters will find it a capable companion for sporting clays and skeet, especially those who prefer the handling characteristics of a smaller bore. Collectors and enthusiasts will note the Turkish walnut stock and satin nickel receiver as marks of a shotgun that balances affordability with classic aesthetics.
Key Specifications
- Gauge: 20-gauge (2¾-inch and 3-inch shells)
- Action: Over/under, boxlock with single selective trigger
- Barrel Length: 28 inches
- Barrel Finish: Glossy blue steel
- Chokes: Interchangeable screw-in chokes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder, Skeet, Cylinder — set included)
- Stock: Turkish walnut with pistol grip, gloss finish, and checkering
- Forend: Beavertail style, checkered
- Receiver: Satin nickel finish with engraved game scene
- Sights: Brass bead front sight
- Weight: Approximately 6.5 pounds
- Overall Length: 44 inches
- Length of Pull: 14¼ inches
- Drop at Comb: 1½ inches
- Drop at Heel: 2½ inches
- Capacity: 2 rounds (one in each barrel)
- Safety: Manual tang-mounted sliding safety/barrel selector
- Made In: Turkey, assembled and inspected by CZ-USA in Kansas City, Kansas
Feature Deep-Dive
The CZ Redhead Premier distinguishes itself in the crowded field of entry-to-mid-level over/under shotguns through its combination of fit, finish, and functional design. The 28-inch barrels are a classic length for an upland 20-gauge, offering a balance of swing speed and sight plane that works well for both crossing shots and quick flushes. The glossy blue finish on the barrels is applied evenly and resists the kind of minor scratches that come from leaning a gun against a truck tailgate or carrying it through briars. The satin nickel receiver is both corrosion-resistant and visually distinctive, with a subtle game scene engraving that adds a touch of elegance without being flashy. This is a shotgun that looks good in the safe and on the field, but it does not demand the careful handling of a high-end Italian import.
The Turkish walnut stock is a key selling point at this price point. The wood is selected for straight grain and minimal figure, with a gloss finish that brings out the natural color. The checkering is cut cleanly at the wrist and forend, providing a secure grip even with gloved hands in wet Tennessee mornings. The pistol grip profile is moderate—not too vertical, not too straight—allowing a natural point of aim for most shooters. The length of pull at 14¼ inches fits the average adult shooter well, and the drop dimensions are standard for a field gun, meaning it will mount to the cheek without requiring a custom fitting for most users. The beavertail forend is wide enough to keep your hand comfortable during extended shooting sessions but slim enough to maintain the classic over/under profile.
The single selective trigger is a practical feature that simplifies operation in the field. The tang-mounted safety slides forward to fire and doubles as a barrel selector—push it to the right for the bottom barrel first, left for the top barrel first. This allows the shooter to choose which choke opens first, a useful option when transitioning from a close-flushing bird to a longer crossing shot. The trigger pull is crisp and breaks cleanly, with minimal creep, which is notable for a shotgun in this price range. The automatic ejectors kick spent shells clear of the action, speeding up reloading and reducing the chance of a jam in the heat of a hunt. If you prefer to catch your empties for reloading or to avoid littering the field, the ejectors can be easily disabled by a gunsmith, though they function reliably out of the box.
The interchangeable choke system is one of the strongest arguments for choosing the Redhead Premier over a fixed-choke alternative. The shotgun ships with five screw-in chokes (Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder, Skeet, and Cylinder), giving you the flexibility to tailor your pattern to the specific game and distance. For Tennessee dove hunting in early September, an Improved Cylinder or Skeet choke will open the pattern for close shots. For late-season pheasants in West Tennessee cornfields, a Modified or Full choke tightens things up for longer shots. The chokes are marked clearly and thread into the barrels smoothly, and the included choke wrench stores in the buttstock. This versatility makes the Redhead Premier a single-gun solution for a wide range of upland hunting scenarios, which is a practical advantage for hunters who do not want to invest in multiple barrels or dedicated guns for each season.
Reliability is where the Redhead Premier shows its value as a working gun. The action is based on a proven boxlock design with coil springs and hardened internal components. CZ-USA has a reputation for standing behind their imported shotguns, and the Redhead line has been on the market long enough to demonstrate consistent function with a variety of 20-gauge ammunition. The gun cycles 2¾-inch target loads without issue, and it handles 3-inch magnum loads for waterfowl or turkey hunting when needed. The barrels are chrome-lined for corrosion resistance and longevity, which is a welcome feature given the humidity and rain common in Tennessee hunting seasons. The fit between barrels and receiver is tight, with no wobble or play, and the action breaks open with a clean, positive click. After several hundred rounds, the gun should continue to function without developing the looseness that can plague lower-cost doubles.
Ideal Use Cases
The CZ Redhead Premier O/U 20 Gauge is primarily an upland bird hunting shotgun. It excels in the field for quail, grouse, woodcock, pheasant, and chukar hunting, where its light weight and balanced handling reduce fatigue during long walks. It is also well-suited for dove hunting, particularly when using the included Improved Cylinder or Skeet chokes for close-range shooting. Clay target shooters will find it a capable gun for sporting clays, skeet, and even casual trap shooting, though serious competitive shooters may prefer a dedicated target model with a higher rib and adjustable comb. The 20-gauge chambering makes it an excellent choice for new or younger shooters who are sensitive to recoil, as well as experienced hunters who appreciate the reduced weight and quicker handling of a smaller bore. It is not intended for home defense, concealed carry, or tactical use—this is a field gun for the outdoorsman.
Compatibility Notes
This shotgun accepts all standard 20-gauge ammunition in 2¾-inch and 3-inch lengths. For target practice and most upland hunting, 2¾-inch loads with 7/8-ounce or 1-ounce shot are ideal. The 3-inch chamber allows you to use magnum loads for waterfowl or turkey, but note that the gun is not designed for steel shot through the standard chokes unless you use steel-compatible aftermarket chokes. The included choke tubes are for lead shot only; if you plan to hunt waterfowl on Tennessee public lands where non-toxic shot is required, you should purchase aftermarket steel-rated chokes from a vendor like Briley or Carlson’s. The gun uses a standard ¼x28 thread pitch for the choke tubes, which is common among Turkish-made shotguns. No specialized holsters or magazines are applicable—this is a break-action shotgun. For accessories, consider a quality leather or nylon slip case for transport, a choke tube wallet, and a bore cleaning kit. The stock does not have a recoil pad that is easily interchangeable, but aftermarket slip-on pads can be added if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can you ship this CZ Redhead Premier to my address in Tennessee?
A: Yes. We ship to all valid Tennessee addresses via UPS Ground. However, this firearm must be shipped to a licensed Federal Firearms License (FFL) dealer for transfer. We can ship to your chosen FFL in Tennessee, or you can select one of our recommended partner dealers during checkout. We do not ship directly to residential addresses for firearms.
Q: How does the FFL transfer process work for a Tennessee buyer?
A: After you place your order, we will need your chosen FFL dealer to send us a copy of their current license. You can provide their contact information during checkout, or you can email it to us after placing the order. Once we receive and verify the FFL, we ship the shotgun. Your dealer will then contact you to complete the ATF Form 4473 and run the required background check. The transfer fee is set by the receiving dealer and is not included in our price. Expect 3–5 business days for delivery once the FFL is confirmed.
Q: What ammunition is compatible with this shotgun?
A: The CZ Redhead Premier 20 Gauge will safely fire all SAAMI-spec 20-gauge ammunition in 2¾-inch and 3-inch shell lengths. This includes target loads, field loads, and magnum hunting loads. We recommend using lead shot for best results with the included choke tubes. If you intend to shoot steel shot or other non-toxic shot types, you must use choke tubes specifically rated for steel shot. The gun is not compatible with 2½-inch shells or any ammunition not marked for 20-gauge use. Always check your ammunition box for the correct gauge and chamber length before loading.
Q: What is the warranty on this shotgun?
A: The CZ Red
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