Complete CZ Drake Review [The Budget-Friendly Shotgun]

September 22, 2022
by Jack Lyons
Categories:

This article may contain affiliate links.
We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Are you looking for a new shotgun and aren't sure which is the best one?

Maybe you have heard people discuss the CZ Drake and want to know more about it.

Or are you curious and want to know more? Whatever the reason that brought you here today, we have the answer for you!

Finding the right one for you can be tricky when it comes to shotguns.

There are so many options out there, all claiming to be the best; you can quickly find yourself frustrated and overwhelmed, lost in a sea of barrel lengths and magazine capacities, unsure what you need and which gun can provide you with it.

Well, no more! Today, we are here with the answers that you need.

We are looking at a hot new gun, the CZ Drake shotgun, and have a complete and detailed review below.

Just keep reading to find out all you need to know about this gun to see if it is the one for you or not!

Product Overview

Before we get into the review of the CZ Drake, let's have a quick look at the shotgun to give you the information that you need!

The CZ Drake is a new shotgun brought to you by CZ.

It's an over/under shotgun that packs a fantastic performance without breaking your bank account!

The shotgun is super easy to use, featuring a single selectable trigger and slip-free grip.

You won't need to worry about this gun slipping on sweaty or wet hands. It comes packed with a whole host of features that make this an appealing choice.

Manufactured in Turkey and then imported, the gun is made by one of Turkey's best gunmakers, Huglu.

You can enjoy a high-quality shotgun at an affordable price without needing to compromise on performance or features.

We know that it sounds almost too good to be true, so have a detailed review coming up that will prove to you the shotgun is worth the hype!

So let's dive into the CZ drake review and get you the information that you need.

The Specs You Need To Know

We know those specification lists can be a little drab, but it's worth reading them to decide if it is the right one for you or not!

So here is a quick list of all the tech and spec info you need to know!

  • Barrel length - 710mm (28 inches)
  • Caliber - 12/76
  • Cheekpiece - No
  • Choke - 5 pieces
  • Ejector or Extractor? Extractor
  • Length - 1160mm
  • LOP - 355mm
  • Magazine Capacity - 2
  • Stock - Walnut
  • Stock finish - Varnish
  • Trigger Pull Weight - 19N
  • 2nd Trigger Pull Weight - 17.5N

Mechanisms And Controls

Let's start with the mechanisms and controls of the gun.

It's a basic shotgun with a single mechanical trigger that doesn't depend on the gun's recoil to reset the trigger mechanism, allowing you to choose which barrel is fired.

Although this sounds basic, it's a good feature to have if you reload ammo yourself and sometimes make an error.

Even if the first shot fails, your second will fire.

The CZ Drake features a manual safety that stays off when the gun is open.

We prefer manual safety compared to automatic, as they turn back on when the gun is opened.

Manual safety is a better choice for target shooting too, as automatic safety turning on will distract you from shots and even make you miss one or two!

A barrel selector that helps you choose what barrel fires first can be found on the safety switch.

It's a button that slides, making it super easy for you to use. Gone are the days when you are fiddling around with tough-to-use buttons.

The shotgun comes with shell extractors instead of the ejectors we see on most O/Us. An extractor lifts the shells partway out of the chamber.

This means you can remove them yourself, rather than them popping into the air like ejectors. Which style you prefer depends on you and what you prefer.

Extractors in a field gun don't tend to throw empty hulls into the grass like an ejector, so you will need to find the shells and collect them.

When you are reloading, keep the empties; remember if you leave them, you are littering!

Appearance

When it comes to appearance, Drake is fairly simple. The walnut is satin finished and comes with a straight grain.

It's like a rich and muddy brown, which we think works well. Now, the quality of wood isn't the best, but what you would expect given the price tag of the gun.

The wood fits to the metal well without any gaps; although the wood is a little higher than the metal, it could be refinished once without the wood being taken below the steel.

The gun feels light, probably because it doesn't have a side-rib.

As a side rib doesn't serve a function other than keeping twigs and sticks from entering the gap between barrels.

The shotgun does look a little weird without a side rib, but not to the point where it is unattractive.

It will just look a little different from other shotguns that you might have used.

The Drake also features a muzzle tipped with a white Bradley-style bead, finishing the shotgun off nicely.

If you are considering the shotgun, we recommend taking a look at its appearance. You don't want to end up purchasing a gun that you don't like!

Performance

So how does the gun shoot? Well, we tried it out so you don't have to! We shot at a steel pattern plate to see its point of impact and how well it fit.

We shot at a pattern plate with a pattern printed 60% above the point of aim, which we reckon is ideal for a field gun.

You want the pattern to be high enough to see the target above the barrel but flat enough to avoid overshooting.

When shooting the gun, it felt muzzle heavy, but that's what we want, especially if you are using it for targets and birds.

The extra weight around the muzzle helps you keep your swing smooth.

The gun's trigger broke at 5-6 pounds. Although this is a little heavy, it's not the worst!

It also doesn't affect how comfortable the gun is to shoot as the trigger is slapped rather than pulled like the trigger on a rifle.

The Drake weighs enough to absorb the recoil, so you shouldn't feel it too much in your shoulder!

The buttpad, however, is on the thinner side, so you can feel the gun when you shoot it. It's not as bad as other guns on the market, but you will feel it.

That means your shoulder can feel the gun going off when you shoot it.

It's ideal for a field gun, but if you were to shoot clays, we would opt for a softer and thicker pad.

Overall, the gun feels great and performs well. Before parting with your cash, we recommend trying the gun out and seeing how it feels.

Although it isn't very heavy, you must find it comfortable.

Most gun dealers will let you hold the gun before making your purchase to ensure that the weight is right for you, so don't be afraid to ask!

Price

Finding a shotgun at the right price can be challenging, especially when cheaper shotguns have a reputation for performing poorly.

But you don't need to worry about this with the CZ Drake! Not only is it a bargain with an affordable shotgun, but it performs brilliantly too!

It's a fantastic option for those of you in the market for a new shotgun but don't have a lot of money to spend.

You can purchase it super easy too; simply head to CZ's website and find a dealer near you!

CZ distributes to over 90 countries, so you don't need to worry about struggling to get your hands on this beauty.

Before purchasing your new shotgun, you want to carefully consider your budget.

Make sure that you can afford to purchase the gun before you part with your hard-earned cash, the last thing you want to do is stretch yourself beyond your means.

Instead, look at your budget and ensure that you don't spend more than you can afford.

Thankfully as the CZ Drake is so affordable, it should be suitable for most budgets!

Final Thoughts

So is the CZ Drake worth it? If you are after a budget-friendly shotgun that performs well, then it's a great option!

You can enjoy an anti-slip grip and a manual trigger and safety that is easy to use.

You might need to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the gun, but that can be said for any shotgun you buy.

We found it super easy to get to grips with though, and most beginners should too!

We think for the price, it's a great gun, but if you want to spend more, you are sure to find a gun of higher quality and materials.

Before making your purchase, consider your budget and you are sure to find the shotgun that is right for you!

You might also be interested in: The 6 Best Machetes That Will Cut Through Anything

About the Author
Related Stories

© THE X BEST TM 2020 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | 

PRIVACY POLICY