A-10 American on maiden voyage, shot a double on turkeys
These 17 quail were the result of a morning’s hunt with my Boykin, Abigail. Her picture is artfully engraved under the receiver.
I’ve hunted quail and pheasant with this little 28ga Fox many times and it continues to amaze me how instinctively it shoots.
Darn near magic!
It is a pleasure to shoot and to admire. Its beauty still stuns me every time I slide it out of its case.
I originally questioned the IC/MOD fixed chokes, but now wouldn’t order a bird gun with anything else.
Doug Lewis
Had another fine year with the RBL Launch edition. Here are a few pictures I took during the season. This has been the best shotgun I have ever owned, and I hate to think of the number of guns I have used to hunt birds with!
Regards,
John Osadnick
RBL's being used around the world
I jumped 16 birds and got them all of them with 20 shells which means I had to use the second barrel only 4 times. I love the gun. I have been shooting small gauge Parkers and Foxes since 1959 and this gun is lighter, faster, and comes up better than either of them. You can use this testament anytime with my name attached. By the way I am 74 years old.
Forrest Marshall, Father of the Parker Gun Collectors Association
My RBL 20 has been just great the
last two years , and is as reliable as ever.
Cheers,
John Fetzer
Click here to see the numerous awards presented to Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. Co.
New RBL Works great as you can see from pic. It just crushes birds if you on on them. - Robert Bly
I shot this monster 180
pound 8 point buck. Long shot, one shot,
dead. Thank you - Lukas
Dear staff at
CSMC, September 29, 2009
I have just
returned from the 2009 Vintage Cup side by
side championships held at Pintail Point
shooting grounds in Maryland. I had some
success in the various gauge and
configuration competitions using guns
manufactured by Connecticut Shotgun. The 28g. and 20g.
RBLs performed flawlessly, allowing for
high over all wins in the 28g. Hammerless
and the 20g. Hammerless categories. The
CSMC model 21 performed beautifully as
well, providing high over all wins in
American Makers, Preliminary, and Senior
Champion in the main event. The handling
qualities, mechanical functioning, and
shot patterning of these
guns were absolutely terrific. I
have confidence that these guns will
continue to provide superior performance
for my bird hunting and clay shooting.
Chuck DeVinne
I
am pleased to report that I shot my favorite
shotgun, a CSMC M-21 at the recent World
International Championships in Tulsa. While
I was the only competitor using a SxS
shotgun, I felt I was competitive posting a
score of 170x200 at this most difficult clay
target game and winning the Gold Medal in
the Senior concurrent catagory.
-Hal Hare
I just wanted to send you a note and say
THANK YOU! After recieving my RBL 16 gauge
I can say it is one of the most beautiful
weapons that I have ever seen. From the
magnificent workmanship tot he balance of
the weapon along with the quality of the
wood, it is truly a piece of art. It is
truly an honor to be able to say that it is
made in America let alone in New Britian
Conn. Keep up the fantastic work and my
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL FOR A MAGNIFICENT JOB
WELL DONE I look forward to being able to
order another fine weapon from you. WOW
SIncerely
Burt Seifel
Thank you once again for building such a
nice shotgun at a price that I can afford.
My RBL 16 is more than I had hoped for. The
fit, finish, and handling of this gun
depicts your commitment to quality in every
respect. I can only say that I would highly
recommend CSMC to everyone I meet in the
shotgun world I live in. I travel the
eastern half of the country every year
shooting skeet, sporting and vintage shoots
of all types. Please rest assured that I
will be a strong advocate of CSMC due to
your diligence in providing QUALITY
American-made firearms. I will try to
save some money in order to purchase another
fine gun manufactured by CSMC.
Thanks again,
Daniel L. Moore
Got my new RBL 16 Ga
yesterday. Here are some pictures of what it
does best.. It was a good day in the uplands
today, I hope it can keep up as I have not
missed a bird with it yet. Gun handles like
a dream, shoots where it is pointed, and
the right weight to be tromping up and
down the hillls all day.
Thanks
Tom
Galazan Folks,
THANK YOU!!!
I just picked up the
RBL 12 I ordered from you a couple of months
ago...WOW! Great work! I have to admit I did
not expect as beautifully figured a
piece of wood as came in this package. The
workmanship is simply outstanding...my
shooting will in no way match what this
shotgun can assuredly do, but it will make
me look better (nothing can make me look
"good") trying. Once again thank you for the
care and effort you put into crafting this
shotgun. You have one very happy customer as
a result of your efforts.
Harold
Sharp
Simply put, it is the single best value in
SxS guns on the market today. A close second
would be a Parker Repro. However given the
the Parker Repros are RIP, the CSMC, RBL is
it.
Their gun is an excellent shooter and is
very durable. I have just returned from
Bolivia where I shot just over 3K rounds
through my RBL 28 without re-lubricating,
cleaning, or otherwise. "ZERO" problems to
report!
Want a great looking 28 SxS with enough
options available to make the gun almost
"custom", get a CSMC RBL 28....
...Also, if you want one a bit fancier, CSMC
will do that too....Take a look at their
gallery guns.
Jeff Wemmer
CSM Personnel,
While stationed at Elmendorf Air Force
Base, Anchorage, Alaska from 2000-2007,
two good friends of mine ordered RBLs on
what was called a “Limited Edition Run”.
I was immediately interested because I
love side-by-sides, these gentlemen knew
their way around side-by-sides and they
both have a fine shotgun collection. When
their guns finally came in, I got to shoot
the RBL. I was very impressed as it shot
exactly how it looked—BEAUTIFUL. We were
about to leave Alaska and I could not at
that time invest in an RBL or any new
gun. This was disappointing because the
RBL was advertised as a very limited
edition. The run would end and I’d be
shut out.
When the Air Force moved me to Colorado
Springs in 2007, I was turning 50 years
old and about to retire. My wife was
looking for me, a combined gift and of
course a side-by-side shotgun was my
number one “wish”. My friends in Alaska
informed us the RBL “run” was extended,
still available and encouraged me to go
with it for several reasons: they were
very satisfied with their RBLs, it was
made in the USA, they knew I loved
side-by-sides, and the price was
affordable.
I called you folks and placed my order—one
of the best moves I’ve ever made. I
received my RBL in April 2008, and
immediately took it out to shoot. Once I
got the feel of it at the range, and later
in the field hunting quail and pheasant,
it is now my favorite gun. I’m 5 ft 7 in
with shorter arms, so I did have to make
LOP 13 5/8. I hated to have to shorten
that beautiful stock, but when I did, my
20 ga RBL seemed to point itself and I was
hitting birds hard and often. I have now
shot numerous “straights” in skeet with my
RBL. To me, the RBL is classical and
traditional looking yet not fancy. It
superbly performs its’ designed purpose
enabling me to fold game and smoke clays.
I frequently call my friends in Alaska and
more often than not, the subject of
conversation is the RBL.
Also, I’m very satisfied with the service
as I’ve called back to you folks several
times with questions in preventive
maintenance/“dos and don’ts” additional
chokes, etc, and your customer service
personnel are always very friendly. They
patiently answered my questions—probably
the same questions they must field
hundreds of times per week. I appreciate
that very much.
I’m retired now with my budget set.
However, My Alaskan friend has made his
order for the 16 ga RBL. The last time I
followed his lead, I got one classic
shotgun, and that 16 ga is now very
appealing.
CSM—as a retired US Air Force SNCO in
Colorado Springs, with a strict budget,
that loves quality side-by-sides, thanks
for the affordable and fine shotgun. I
appeal to you to keep building and
supporting the RBLs so I can purchase that
16 ga when the time comes. More coming
I’m sure.
Sincerely,
Henry Martin, SMSgt, USAF (Retired)
Colorado Springs, CO
Satisfied Customer
I won the New Hampshire State Trap doubles
championship June 12, 2009 in class AA
using the CSMC 21... there were a lot of
comments, stares, and quite a few fellows
handled and shot the gun later on.. I do not
think that a trap title has been won in NH
with a side by side in many years. (this
was the only trap event I shot this year,
and the first time I had the 21 out to shoot
since the vintage cup last fall).
Thanks for the playing cards and of
course....the GREAT GUN!
Sincerely, Chuck DeVinne
I wish to
complement
Connecticut
Shotgun on their
new RBL. The
RBL is
comfortable to
carry all day
through my New
Hampshire grouse
coverts, elegant
enough to turn
heads in the
Thomasville,
Georgia quail
wagon. This
quality with the
dependability
for a week of
1000 shell days
dove shooting in
Uruguay without
a hic-cup is to
be commended.
What a pleasure
to have an
American shotgun
performing like
the shotguns
made here over
the past
century, all for
such a
reasonable
price.
Sincerely:
Ivan L. Mahoney
III
I picked up the RBL 20 at Ten Mile River
yesterday. Its a beautiful gun - thank you.
I tried it out on the 5-Stand course and it
shoots great.
Thanks
again for your help.
Regards,
Dennis Schaney
Received my ordered Model 21
from you earlier this week. Am very happy
with it. Nice job. Very much appreciate
your attention to detail.
Please pass along a thank you from me to the
craftsmen and women who worked on my Model
21. It should be a gun I can shoot for the
rest of my life.
Best to you
and all the folks at CSMC.
Tim Wolf
I received my 16ga RBL a few days ago and
could not be more pleased. What a nice
shotgun. Looking forward to your future
offerings.
Best regards,
Erik Warren
I picked up my
new 12 Ga. RBL
last night at
Millers In
Delaware and Bob
Miller called
the boys behind
the counters to,
" take a look at
a really fine
looking gun that
Bob just bought
from CSM. " Wow
, did you folks
do a great job.
The feel and fit
are perfect and
the wood is a
sight to behold.
I am so pleased
that I ordered
the upgraded
case which just
sets the whole
thing off so
nicely........
everybody in the
shop wanted to
see it and we
stayed after
closing doing
the paperwork
and admiring the
gun , case and
combined
package.
-Robert N.
Tropp, Jr.
Just received my
RBL-12
yesterday.
Ooohh my!
Thanks, Lamar
Sandburg
This is just a
note to say I
took a RBL 20
and a 28 down to
Argentina. We
shot over 1000
shells through
both guns and
they performed
very well.
I enjoyed them
immensely.
-Jay
Trees
RBL16 wins
Northeast SxS
event right out
of the box.
Michael Graham of Salem, NY received his RBL16 just a few
short days
before the
Northeast SxS
this past
weekend in
Friendsville,
PA. Not being
at all familiar
with the gun he
decided to bring
it along and
enter it in the
16ga. Hunter
Clays Event, an
extremely
challenging
course. Mike
states that
during the event
the gun felt
like it already
knew how to
break clays, he
just had to call
the bird and
pull the
trigger; he knew
he was going to
have a good
run.
Incredibly, he
won the event
breaking 45 of
50 birds with
his new out of
the box and
unfired RBL16!
Congratulations
are in order for
Mike and his
RBL16, and in
case you were
wondering his
RBL16 is not for
sale at any
price.
19 1/2 lbs. May
12, 2009
Maiden Voyage
with RBL-12
Thank you very
much!
The RBL
performed
without a hitch
and was
absolutely magic
in downing these
birds. The fast
and wild flushes
made the RBL’s
quick handling
characteristics
very valuable.
The gun’s beauty
was greatly
admired by all.
Doug Lewis
I
received my 16
Gauge RBL the
day of the 16
Gauge World
Vintage
Tournamentand I
only had a
chance for a
quick test fire
to confirm the
barrel selector
position of my
single
trigger--then
off to the
tournament.
I am
pleased to
report the 'MATCHLESS' performance
of my RBL-- as
evidenced by the
Open Gold Medal
that I
won. Your RBL
is a fantastic
value for the
money.
My
thanks to Tony
and his staff.
Hal M.
Hare
NSSA
All-American
Shooter
2009 Southern
Side by Side
28 Ga. American
Classics - High
Overall - RBL
12 Ga. Main
Event - Tied 2nd
- CSMC Model 21
Thanks for the
support!
-Chuck DeVinne
While many have tried to create with machinery, few have succeeded. The RBL's may be the crowning exception.
...the final fitting and detailing are done by master gunmakers.
Externally the lines, engraving, fit and finish are extremely fine, easily bringing to mind the quality of many of the grand vintage double guns of the past. The finish on the wood is simply perfect.
...over an extreme variety of shooting the RBL proved itself very easy to hit with.
-Ross Seyfried
Professional Writer, Hunting Guide and Field Correspondant for the NRA
I just returned from a trip to Bolivia to shoot early doves, my RBL worked well under heavy fire, probably over 3,000 shells in a week. Of note, I purchased this RBL this RBL used on the second hand market, and was not some specially made-up gun for a magazine article.
– Clair Kofoed
Shooting Sportsman
Beauty, fine craftsmanship and lovely handling, all at a terrific value, the RBL is one of the great achievements in American gun making.
- Jim Carmichel, Shooting Editor, Outdoor Life (30+ years)
“Tony Galazan’s RBL incorporates tradition and modern manufacturing to make a shotgun that is packed with features found on shotguns at several times the price. The fit and finish are superb, but even better, this shotgun swings and shoots like the top-of-the-line shotgun it is.”
- John M. Taylor
Field Editor
Sports Afield
I had the
pleasure of
shooting my best
svore with your
RBL 20 ga.
Thank you once
again for your
strong support
of the shooting
sports. I
am
Sincerely yours,
Dane P. Nash
“I said I don’t want to sound gushy, but it would be a fair question to ask if I’m impressed with the RBL. Answer: Unh-huh. Big time.”
- Michael McIntosh
Renowned Author & Sportsman
The RBL Launch Edition is a landmark of modern American gunmaking.
– Bruce Buck
Shooting Sportsman
The superior quality and functionality of this shotgun make it an excellent value. Surely, my RBL will become a family heirloom. I look forward to purchasing another shotgun from CT Shotgun Mfg. It has features not normally found in a shotgun at this price.
– Steve Lefebrve
The RBL has excellent fit and finish, perfect balance, and has quickly become my favorite gun to shoot. This American made gun will surely go down in history as a classic.
Wayne Fisler
“It’s not a gun but a precision instrument.”
Out of the case I shot a double on woodcock, something I normally don’t do. The RBL is everything and more than was advertised by the CSMC. It is a beautiful, well proportioned, well made American shotgun. Great Job!! – Richard Claxton
“Not made in some foreign country but made right here in the USA.”
The RBL 20 bore produced by Connecticut Shotgun Mfg. is a tribute and a reflection of knowledge of double guns, manufacturing techniques, and quality expressed by its craftsman and owner Tony Galazan. I am proud to say that I am the owner of one of these fabulous guns.
– Allan Swanson
“Proportionately correct, slender and lightweight.”
A crowd quickly gathered around my RBL when I went to pick it up at the local gunshop, everyone couldn’t believe that this gun was less than $10,000!
– Fred Tramotola
“Demand will be much greater than supply.”
“The RBL-28 is the sweetest gun you will ever own.”
- Anthony J. Chimblo III
“Now I know why American products set the worlds standard.”
- Michael Luzich
“For my money, it is the best value in its price range by a wide margin. My only regret with the RBL is I did not order two of them.”
- Steve Wilson
“It’s not a gun, it’s a magic wand.”
Came in 2nd at Vintager's.
Again, thanks for the great guns!
-Chuck DeVinne
“This will be handed down from generation to generation.”
“I put just over one hundred boxes (2500 rounds) of ammunition through the RBL while in Uruguay. It functioned without flaw the whole time.”
Tracy Walsh
“A gun of this quality is usually several times more”
It has many of the attributes of a fine gun for a very modest price. It seems to me to be a complete gun system for all types of shooting as one could find. The workmanship is excellent; the gun looks great, and has fine Balance.
– Bryant Barnard
“CT Shotgun making a gun of this quality, at this price is like Rolls Royce making a car that anyone can afford.”
“I entered the 20 Gauge World Championships and smashed all but two targets to win the Open Bronze Medal. There is no gun like it on the market! The Galazan RBL represents a true, best gun value for the S x S enthusiast.”
- Hal M. Hare
NSSA All-American
My CSMC RBL has performed beautifully right out of the box. During dog training in the spring, I have put down several quail at extraordinary ranges...a testament to the terrific patterns this gun throws. At a recent Ruffed Grouse tournament, my RBL 20 bore prevailed for a high score against a field of mostly 12 gauge sporting clays guns.
– Chuck DeVinne
The CSMC RBL is the epitome of the classic Grouse gun. It is lightweight yet suberbly balanced in an ideal gauge for Grouse and Woodcock. In my line of work, professioanl upland guide, I see alot of shotguns...the RBL stands out among the best. I'm proud to own the RBL Launch Edition and look forward to receiving my new 28 gauge RBL. An American made upland double with the form, fit & function to rival shotguns costing thousands more. So many have tried and failed...congratulations to Connecticut Shotgun for taking on a tremendous challenge and succeeding.
-O.J. Chartrand Jr.
Thank you so very much for creating the RBL shotgun. You have made this old southern bird hunter so happy. My heart is so excited! I have drooled over it as I did over all the guns in your showroom when I was there. It thrills me beyond description to own an American side by side of this quality. You have created something uniquallyAmerican with the absolute finest of craftsmanship and materials. Please accept my deepest and warmest gratitude.
-Garland Basford
Just wanted to let you know that I’m truly enjoying my new RBL. My Grandfather is likely rolling in his grave because the old 16 double he handed down rarely makes it out of the gun safe any more.
-Kevin L. Friddle
“A Masterpiece”
I’ve been an admirer of your work as long as you have been in business. Thank you for producing the RBL so I could finally afford a Galazan gun. I recently received my 20 gauge RBL and I’m very pleased. Maybe it is because mine was near the end of production but the wood on my gun is outstanding. Can’t imagine that an upgrade would have been more beautiful. I’m having a great time shooting it. I will be shooting it in the RBL Challenge at the Northeast S x S Classic
-Dick Mider
You can certainly be proud of your craftsmen, and this particular shotgun is about as perfect as human hands can make it. I am more than satisfied, I am delight.
Thank you for standing behind your product, and the high quality of this finished shotgun.
-David P. Bookman
I just got back from four days of dove shooting in Bolivia. Over the four days, I shot an average of 850 shells per day. The RBL performed flawlessly.
-Mike Ohlstein
Concerning the RBL 20ga!!! Looks good, fits good, works good, is good. I am enjoying it very much and waiting for the fall hunting season.
-Charles Brenner, Jr.
I’ve been around guns all my life and was thrilled to expand my knowledge and appreciation for this special art form. Your guns are true works of art. That gun will remind me of the craftsmanship, attention to detail and old school quality I witnessed at your facility.
-Charlie Coon
I just received my RBL-28 today and I could not be happier! The gun is absolutely stunning. I knew it would be nice but this is incredible. Please pass on my thanks to the fine dedicated craftsmen and women who built this gun. The wait was certainly worth it. Again, thanks to all and with any luck I will be ordering one of the new RBL's. I can't decide on which gauge.
-Michail Kukawica
Received my RBL Launch shotgun. It is a masterpiece.
-Dennis Tatum
I had to comment on the shotgun. I could hardly be more pleased. The exhibition grade Turkish walnut I ordered turned out great! I shot the gun over the weekend. I was amazed when I broke pretty much everything. What a sweetheart this little gun is. Thank you, thank you, thank you for making such a wonderful gun at what has to be a bargain of the century. This little gun will never leave my side until the grandkids fight over it when I am dead and gone. I have many other more expensive guns, but this gun goes into the inner circle.
-James B. McClellan
Received the RBL 20 at 3pm and by 4:15 I was at the skeet range. 96 x 100 shooting low gun skeet 24—25—23—24. What a terrific shooting gun. Thank you for a great deal. Can’t wait for my 28 RBL!!!
-Bill Davis
Connecticut Shotgun went above and beyond my expectations. This is truly GREAT customer service! I shoot in two different sporting clay leagues and everybody is “drooling” over my RBL. The only problem I have now is whether or not I should take it out in the grouse woods and pheasant fields...for fear of scratching it!! I absolutely love it!!!
-Bill Nettleton
This gun exceeded my expectations. What impressed me most was the balance, finish and general feel of the gun, and great value at this price. I look forward to putting it to some serious use.
-Michael Henry, N. Ireland
Your RBL 20 ga. performed flawlessly in Argentina this past June...as the photos show. I can't wait to get the 28ga., which will jpin the 20ga. on the next trip.
-Ed Davison
I have an RBL Launch Edition and love it. Recently, I purchased a pair of Dewings Prestige Limited thinking that they would be of similar quality given the similar price point. Boy, was I ever wrong and I'm sending them back. The RBL shines head and shoulders above the Dewings offering...
-Zach Kilpatrick
Hunted this weekend at Rio Piedra this weekend. Used the 20ga Fox on Saturday and the 28ga on Sunday.
The second to the last bird I shot on Sunday was a single. The bird flushed to my side. I got a few feathers with the right barrel and killed the bird dead in the air with the left. It looked like a really long shot so I asked the guide to walk off the distance.
He stepped it off at 42 yards!
I was shooting Remington STS 28ga #8.
Both guns handled extremely well and received compliments.
Doug Lewis
Thank You.
The shotgun is a thing of beauty. Kudos to your craftsmen.
-Alden Pierce
It was a wonderful treat for me to receive my refurbished Winchester Model 21 shotgun back from you. A birthday to my father on his 21st birthday, it is 74 years old this year. In frequent une in each of those years, it deserved a full mechanical tune-up as well as cosmetic repairs.
Today my gun looks better than new. Nicks and dents in the wood and in the metal have disappeared. The refinished stock fairly glows. The blueing is perfect. The action is as tight as when it first left the factory. The new leather case is great, and will last much longer in its protective canvas cover. Your craftsmanship is so rare today.
My father would be so pleased.
Many thanks.
-James H. Grove, Jr.
I was able to get out on the last day of dove season September 15 and shot a limit of dove with my new 28 gauge. Looks beautiful and shoots very nice. I will be taking it out again next weekend for some Grouse hunting near Flagstaff AZ. Hope to send you a pictue if I have some luck.
-Phil
Thanks. Was able to shoot the RBL Launch Edition this weekend and it performed superbly...what a great gun!
-Jerry L. Wood
Picked up my new 28 bore this morning at Ivory Beads in Covina, CA. I then went to the Prado Olympic Shooting Facility to try it out by shooting a few rounds of skeet. I must say I was not the least bit impressed with how this gun handled. I WAS IMPRESSED BEYOND WORDS as was everyone else who saw the gun. IT IS A GREAT SHOOTING SHOTGUN!!! My first round was good, my second round I was straight until low house 8, which I amazingly missed, over confidence I guess. Twenty four out of twenty five ain't bad with a new gun. The guin is finished beautifully the blueing sparkles and it is truly an improvement over the RBL 20, which I also own and regard highly as well.
Thanks,
Robet "Steve" Swanson
I picked up my RBL-28 in the French Grey and it looks great with my original 20 gauge RBL in that same configuration. Thank you for making this possible. While I have obtained quite a few doubles over the years, these are my highest 2 investments and the only ones I have ever custom ordered. Thanks for the outstanding service and the quality of workmanship that will afford me the pride of ownership for the rest of my life and ultimately my future Great Grandson's. You folks are the best.
-David A. Ethington
I just wanted to let you both know how pleased I am with the shotgun you built for me. It is everything I had hoped for and more. The wood is incredable.
It is an honor for me to own what I feel is a piece of history. To own a side by side of this beauty, qualitym and have it made in the tradition of the New England gunmakers. I am a New Englander (from Maine), and am pleased that Connecticut Shotgun is making such a positive impact on the industry. Please thank those who were involved in building my gun.
-Dave Cobb
Thank You.
The shotgun is a thing of beauty. Kudos to your craftsmen.
