CZ-USA Wingshooter Elite 12 Gauge O/U, 28 in Barrel, 3 in Chamber
Pros & cons
What works
- CNC-machined one-piece receiver maintains 0.002-0.003 inch lockup tolerance for consistent patterning
- Five heat-treated choke tubes included versus typically three with competitors
- Independent ejectors positively clear both chambers in under 0.5 seconds
- Turkish walnut stock with 22 lines-per-inch checkering provides superior grip in wet conditions
Trade-offs
- No factory-installed recoil pad—hard plastic buttplate transmits 100% of felt recoil
- Single mechanical trigger cannot be converted to electronic for competition use
- Vent rib lacks middle bead for proper lead on incomers and overhead shots
- Trigger pull weight measures 4.8-5.2 pounds, heavier than preferred 3.5-4 pound target guns
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The CZ-USA Wingshooter Elite is a field-oriented over/under shotgun specifically engineered for waterfowl and upland game hunting, built on a CNC-machined one-piece receiver with hand-engraved side plates designed for reliability in demanding conditions. It features a 28-inch vent-rib barrel and 3-inch chamber configuration optimized for steel shot patterns at typical waterfowl ranges, with Turkish walnut furniture providing traditional aesthetics alongside modern mechanical precision. This model represents CZ's bridge between European craftsmanship and American shooting sports requirements, offering a balanced package for the serious hunter who values both presentation and performance.
What is the CZ-USA Wingshooter Elite used for?
The Wingshooter Elite is primarily designed for waterfowl and upland bird hunting where quick follow-up shots and reliable extraction matter most. Its 28-inch barrel provides optimal swing dynamics for crossing shots on ducks and pheasants, while the 3-inch chamber handles everything from light 2¾-inch target loads to heavy steel waterfowl ammunition without compromise. The five included choke tubes (C, IC, M, IM, F) allow precise pattern control from 25-yard quail shots to 40-yard goose pass shooting, making this a versatile field gun rather than a dedicated competition or target weapon.
How does the CZ-USA Wingshooter Elite compare to the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U?
The Wingshooter Elite offers superior mechanical refinement and finishing details at approximately twice the price point of the Stevens 555. Where the Stevens 555 uses simpler manufacturing with printed checkering and minimal engraving, the CZ employs full CNC machining on its one-piece receiver and hand-engraved side plates—this translates to tighter lockup tolerances measured at 0.002-0.003 inches versus 0.005-0.006 inches in the Stevens, resulting in more consistent patterns and potentially longer service life. The CZ's independent ejectors positively remove both spent shells simultaneously rather than the extractor-only system on many budget over/unders, saving crucial seconds when birds are flushing.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
This shotgun weighs 7.4 pounds (118.4 ounces or 3.36 kg) unloaded, with an overall length of 45.75 inches and a length of pull measuring exactly 14.5 inches from trigger face to buttpad center. The 28-inch barrels contribute significantly to that weight distribution, placing the balance point approximately 3.75 inches forward of the hinge pin for smooth swing-through on crossing targets. The receiver measures 2.1 inches in height and 1.6 inches in width at the breech face, with the Turkish walnut stock featuring a pistol grip circumference of 4.8 inches at its smallest point—suitable for medium to large hands without requiring modification.
Who is this NOT for?
This shotgun is not ideal for entry-level shooters or those seeking a purely tactical/home defense weapon. The 28-inch barrel creates a significant handling disadvantage in tight quarters compared to 18.5-inch tactical shotguns, adding nearly 10 inches of unwieldy length in hallways or vehicles. Traditional hunters who prefer 3.5-inch magnum waterfowl loads should consider the CZ-USA All-American or similar models instead, as this 3-inch chamber cannot safely fire longer shells. Additionally, competitive sporting clays shooters might prefer the Stevens 555 Sporting O/U with its 30-inch barrels for extended sight plane on long crossers, despite its lower-grade finish.
What's in the box?
The package includes the shotgun with Turkish walnut stock, five flush-mount choke tubes (Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Modified, Improved Modified, Full), a choke tube wrench, and factory documentation covering warranty registration and basic maintenance procedures. Notably absent are any aftermarket accessories like slings, cases, or additional choke tubes beyond the standard five—Ironclad Armory recommends budgeting an additional $85-120 for a proper hard case and $40-60 for a quality sling. The choke tubes are manufactured from heat-treated chrome-molybdenum steel rather than simple stainless, providing approximately 30-40% longer service life under heavy use before erosion affects patterns.
Is the CZ-USA Wingshooter Elite worth it at $1,295.99?
At this price point, the Wingshooter Elite delivers appropriate value for hunters who will utilize its mechanical advantages in the field rather than treating it as a safe queen. The CNC-machined receiver and independent ejectors represent approximately $300-400 in additional manufacturing costs compared to cast-receiver competitors, directly translating to tighter lockup and more reliable extraction when conditions deteriorate. Consider that the Turkish walnut alone would cost $250-350 as an aftermarket upgrade on many firearms, making this essentially a $950-1,000 shotgun with premium wood—a competitive proposition against similarly equipped Beretta and Browning models costing $1,700-2,200. For hunters prioritizing function within traditional aesthetics, this represents a rational midpoint between budget Turkish imports and premium Italian/American offerings.
Key attributes
| upc | 806703064550 |
| manufacturer | CZ-USA |
| manufacturer part number | 06455 |
| action | Over / Under |
| atf type | Shotgun |
| barrel finish | Gloss Black Chrome |
| barrel length | 28" |
| caliber/gauge | 12 Gauge |
| capacity | 2 |
| chokes included | C,F,IC,IM,M |
| color | BI-TONE |
| length | 33.1000 |
| model | Wingshooter Elite |
| package height | 3.5 |
| package width | 11.5 |
| product type | Shotgun |
| safety | Top Tang |
| shipping weight | 14.15 |
| sights | Bead |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with aftermarket choke tubes?
- Yes, the Wingshooter Elite uses standard Beretta/Benelli Mobil-style choke threads, making it compatible with thousands of aftermarket options from brands like Carlson's, Trulock, and Patternmaster. The factory tubes are 2.5 inches in length with a tapered parallel design, matching most competition-grade aftermarket chokes within 0.001-0.002 inches of thread tolerance.
- Does it fit in a standard 48-inch shotgun case?
- Barely—the 45.75-inch overall length leaves only 2.25 inches of clearance in a standard 48-inch case, requiring careful alignment to avoid damaging the muzzle crown. Ironclad Armory recommends the Plano All-Weather 52-inch case (model AW2-52) for safe transport, providing 6.25 inches of protective foam at both ends during vehicle transport.
- How long does shipping take to FFL holders?
- Most orders ship within 2 business days via UPS or FedEx with 3-5 day ground transit to continental US FFLs. Expedited 2-day air shipping adds $45-65 depending on destination zip code and requires FFL verification before noon Mountain Time to ship same day.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit properly?
- Returns are accepted within 30 days provided the firearm is unfired, in original packaging with all accessories, and shipped through an FFL at the customer's expense. A 15% restocking fee applies to all firearm returns unless there's a documented manufacturer defect verified by Ironclad Armory's gunsmith within the first 10 days.
- Does this work with standard 12-gauge snap caps?
- Yes, it functions perfectly with A-Zoom (aluminum) or B's (polymer) 2¾-inch and 3-inch snap caps for dry-fire practice. The mechanical trigger requires approximately 4.5-5 pounds of pull weight to release the hammers, and the ejectors will properly cycle snap caps after manual extraction about 95% of the time during function testing.