The Shooter’s Companion

Shotguns·makers·models·history

An independent reference on sporting shotguns, for shooters, collectors, buyers and sellers.

Yildiz
SPZ ME

An ejector over-and-under offered as a light hunting gun and a steel-action Sporting HPS

SPZME · UKSPZ ME · UKSPZ-ME · EUSPZ ME Sporting HPS · US

Drawing of a Yildiz SPZ ME from the right: two stacked barrels, an engraved action, a walnut stock, a duckbill fore-end and a single trigger.
Drawing: 12-bore field, 27.95 in, right side

he Yildiz SPZ ME is an ejector offered as a light hunting gun and as the steel- Sporting HPS for clays.1, 2, 3 The Italian hunting range has engraved Ergal 7075 actions and duckbill fore-ends.1 The Sporting HPS has a full , a , an adjustable and ported 30-inch barrels.3

The early British gun hinges on stub pins in the action walls and locks with a full-width bolt below the bottom barrel.4 Its mechanism uses a mechanical , and the lock and ejector work are steel inside the alloy frame.4, 5 The SPZ-ME has automatic , where the SPZ-M has manual extraction.1

Specifications

12-bore · game

HingeStub pins in the action walls on the early British gun4, 5, 1
LockingFull-width bolt engaging below the bottom barrel on the early British gun4, 5, 1
Lockwork on the early British gun4, 5, 1
TriggerSingle, selective in the Italian catalogue; mechanical on the early British test gun4, 5, 1
EjectorsAutomatic on SPZ-ME configurations4, 5, 1
Made inBurdur, Turkey6, 7
Bore12-bore
Chambers76 mm (3 in)
Barrels27.95 in
ChokesMobile choke; removable
Weight3.0 kg (6 lb 10 oz; catalogue, 27.95 in)

1 Compare specifications

Specifications

ConfigurationBoreChambersBarrels, inRib, mmFore-endGradeChoke systemWeightMarketsStockFinish
Game
Game112-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95DuckbillMobile choke; removable3.0 kg (6 lb 10 oz; catalogue, 27.95 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game112-bore76 mm (3 in)25.98DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.9 kg (6 lb 6 oz; catalogue, 25.98 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game112-bore76 mm (3 in)24.02DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.8 kg (6 lb 3 oz; catalogue, 24.02 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game1020-bore76 mm (3 in)29.92DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.75 kg (6 lb 1 oz; catalogue, 29.92 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game1020-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.75 kg (6 lb 1 oz; catalogue, 27.95 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game1020-bore76 mm (3 in)25.98DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.7 kg (5 lb 15 oz; catalogue, 25.98 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game1020-bore76 mm (3 in)24.02DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.68 kg (5 lb 15 oz; catalogue, 24.02 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game1028-bore70 mm (2¾ in)29.92DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.7 kg (5 lb 15 oz; catalogue, 29.92 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game1028-bore70 mm (2¾ in)27.95DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.65 kg (5 lb 13 oz; catalogue, 27.95 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game1028-bore70 mm (2¾ in)25.98DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.65 kg (5 lb 13 oz; catalogue, 25.98 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game11.41076 mm (3 in)29.92DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.5 kg (5 lb 8 oz; catalogue, 29.92 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game11.41076 mm (3 in)27.95DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.45 kg (5 lb 6 oz; catalogue, 27.95 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game11.41076 mm (3 in)25.98DuckbillMobile choke; removable2.45 kg (5 lb 6 oz; catalogue, 25.98 in)EUDuckbill fore-endEngraved Ergal 7075 action
Game11.41076 mm (3 in)29.92DuckbillSPZ-SME BlackMobile choke; removable2.5 kg (5 lb 8 oz; catalogue, 29.92 in)EUDuckbill fore-endBlack Ergal 7075 action
Game11.41076 mm (3 in)27.95DuckbillSPZ-SME BlackMobile choke; removable2.45 kg (5 lb 6 oz; catalogue, 27.95 in)EUDuckbill fore-endBlack Ergal 7075 action
Game11.41076 mm (3 in)25.98DuckbillSPZ-SME BlackMobile choke; removable2.45 kg (5 lb 6 oz; catalogue, 25.98 in)EUDuckbill fore-endBlack Ergal 7075 action
Game1020-bore76 mm (3 in)27.95SPZ-ME Special LMobile choke; removable2.75 kg (6 lb 1 oz; catalogue, 27.95 in)EU
Game1020-bore76 mm (3 in)25.98SPZ-ME Special LMobile choke; removable2.7 kg (5 lb 15 oz; catalogue, 25.98 in)EU
Game12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 1720-bore76 mm (3 in)287removable; 5 tubesUKSatin silver action; Flighting birds and scroll engraving
Sporting
Sporting18, 3, 9, 1912-bore76 mm (3 in)30Semi-beavertailSporting HPSremovable; 5 tubes4.111 kg (9 lb 1 oz; measured, 30 in)USFull pistol grip; Semi-beavertail fore-end; palm swell; adjustable comb; 368.3 mm pullLaser-engraved 4140 steel action; wood grade II

Scroll for more columns.

Identify and date

The black SPZME reviewed in August 2006 has 28-inch barrels, 76 mm chambers, an 8 mm and five removable chokes. Its black action has white-filled scroll , and the has a semi-beavertail fore-end and a 370 mm .20, 21, 22, 8, 23, 24, 25

The gun tested in Britain has 76 mm chambers and a fleur-de-lis mark.15 A 2018 Turkish order requires the maker’s brand and serial number on the receiver, and the , length, year of manufacture and country on the barrel.26 A British proof-year mark gives the year of proof or reproof.27

WhereMarkings
British 20-bore test gunFleur-de-lis steel-shot proof mark and 76 mm chambers15
Receiver, as required by the 2018 Turkish orderMaker’s brand and serial number26
Barrel, as required by the 2018 Turkish orderGauge, chamber length, manufacturing year and country26

Before you buy

  1. Establish whether the gun has the light-alloy hunting action or the steel Sporting HPS action before comparing weights.1, 18
  2. Try the trigger and controls on the gun itself; ShootingUK found drag in both pulls on the early gun, and a stiff and manual safety.5
  3. Check there is room for your thumb behind the ; ShootingUK found that the short distance from trigger to comb cramped the hand.25
  4. Try the Sporting HPS comb at its lowest setting; American Hunter’s tester needed that setting and thought some shooters might need more .28
  5. Check the proof and tube restrictions in the gun’s market; in the Italian catalogue, steel-shot approval for 12- and 20-bores covers only the Cylinder .1

History

In August 2006 ShootingUK reviewed the black-action SPZME, offered with 28-inch barrels in 12 or 20 bore.20, 29, 21 American Hunter reviewed the steel-action Sporting HPS in June 2021.19, 18 The 2022 Italian catalogue lists SPZ-ME ejector guns in 12, 20, 28 and .410 bore, among them a black-action .410.30, 1, 10, 11

Compare

12-bore · sporting · 30 in · US

GunWeightBarrels, inChokesChambersAction
Yildiz SPZ ME18, 3, 9, 194.111 kg (9 lb 1 oz; measured, 30 in)30removable; 5 tubes76 mm (3 in) on the early British gun4, 5, 1
Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I3130Optima-Choke HP; removable76 mm (3 in)Trigger-plate action with coil springs32, 33, 34
Browning 72535, 36, 373.63 kg (8 lb 0 oz; catalogue, 30.0 in)30Invector-DS Extended; removable; 5 tubes70 mm (2¾ in)

Scroll for more columns.

Sources

  1. Yildiz catalogue 2022: SPZ configurations, spz-spread-pdf-page-6. Paganini for Yildiz, 2022. maker catalogue · Archive
  2. Hardware: Yildiz SPZ ME Sporting HPS, configuration and test, passage-1. American Hunter; Jeff Johnston, 2021-06-25. magazine · Archive
  3. Hardware: Yildiz SPZ ME Sporting HPS, configuration and test, passage-2. American Hunter; Jeff Johnston, 2021-06-25. magazine · Archive
  4. Yildiz over-and-under SPZME: test details, action-construction. ShootingUK, 2006-08-22. magazine · Archive
  5. Yildiz over-and-under SPZME: test details, passage-8. ShootingUK, 2006-08-22. magazine · Archive
  6. Yildiz: Burdur factory profile, factory. Yildiz Shotgun; Adem Kuzu. maker website · Archive
  7. Yıldız Shotgun Company, address. Defence Turkey; company profile, 2007-03-01. magazine · Archive
  8. Yildiz over-and-under SPZME: test details, passage-5. ShootingUK, 2006-08-22. magazine · Archive
  9. Hardware: Yildiz SPZ ME Sporting HPS, configuration and test, passage-3. American Hunter; Jeff Johnston, 2021-06-25. magazine · Archive
  10. Yildiz catalogue 2022: SPZ configurations, spz-spread-pdf-page-7. Paganini for Yildiz, 2022. maker catalogue · Archive
  11. Yildiz catalogue 2022: SPZ configurations, spz-spread-pdf-page-8. Paganini for Yildiz, 2022. maker catalogue · Archive
  12. Yildiz SPZ ME test, passage-2. Gun Mart. magazine · Archive
  13. Yildiz SPZ ME test, passage-3. Gun Mart. magazine · Archive
  14. Yildiz SPZ ME test, passage-4. Gun Mart. magazine · Archive
  15. Yildiz SPZ ME test, passage-5. Gun Mart. magazine · Archive
  16. Yildiz SPZ ME test, passage-7. Gun Mart. magazine · Archive
  17. Yildiz SPZ ME test, passage-8. Gun Mart. magazine · Archive
  18. Hardware: Yildiz SPZ ME Sporting HPS, configuration and test, specifications. American Hunter; Jeff Johnston, 2021-06-25. magazine · Archive
  19. Hardware: Yildiz SPZ ME Sporting HPS, date. American Hunter; Jeff Johnston, 2021-06-25. magazine · Archive
  20. Yildiz over-and-under SPZME: test details, passage-1. ShootingUK, 2006-08-22. magazine · Archive
  21. Yildiz over-and-under SPZME: test details, passage-3. ShootingUK, 2006-08-22. magazine · Archive
  22. Yildiz over-and-under SPZME: test details, passage-4. ShootingUK, 2006-08-22. magazine · Archive
  23. Yildiz over-and-under SPZME: test details, passage-6. ShootingUK, 2006-08-22. magazine · Archive
  24. Yildiz over-and-under SPZME: test details, passage-7. ShootingUK, 2006-08-22. magazine · Archive
  25. Yildiz over-and-under SPZME: test details, passage-9. ShootingUK, 2006-08-22. magazine · Archive
  26. Saimbeyli: TS870 conformity order for smoothbore hunting shotguns, maker-year-and-country-markings. Saimbeyli District Governorate, 2018-03-28. magazine · Archive
  27. Rules, Regulations and Scales of the Two Companies for the Proof of Small Arms 2006, proof-year. British Proof Authority; London and Birmingham Proof Houses, 2006. proof house · Archive
  28. Hardware: Yildiz SPZ ME Sporting HPS, configuration and test, passage-4. American Hunter; Jeff Johnston, 2021-06-25. magazine · Archive
  29. Yildiz over-and-under SPZME: test details, passage-2. ShootingUK, 2006-08-22. magazine · Archive
  30. Yildiz catalogue 2022: SPZ configurations, edition. Paganini for Yildiz, 2022. maker catalogue · Archive
  31. Beretta USA 686 Silver Pigeon I Sporting product page, US configuration 1. Beretta USA. maker website · Archive
  32. Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I 2024 brochure, 2024 version. Beretta / GMK, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  33. Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I 2024 brochure, Hunting specifications. Beretta / GMK, 2024. maker catalogue · Archive
  34. Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I Sport test — wear and redesign, Wear and parts. The Field; Michael Yardley. magazine · Archive
  35. Browning Citori 725: United States product specifications, Item 0180024010. Browning. maker website · Archive
  36. Browning Citori 725: United States product specifications, Item 0180024009. Browning. maker website · Archive
  37. Browning Citori 725: United States product specifications, Features. Browning. maker website · Archive

Revised