AYA117

I have never used Birchwood Casey blue before, but have to say it worked very well on my trigger guard.

This is the standard 2 3/4" one that I have had for over 20 years, the stock is original AYA from around 1964. Just shows how things change with time, as a dearly departed gunsmith said to me many years ago when we were working on a William Evans SLE, " Look at the care and time that was spent on these locks, for something that cannot be seen "

Not wishing to be expelled from Side by Side Club or indeed reported for AYA abuse, I have made a start on the stock of my No.2 while waiting for some parts to arrive.

I have just got off the phone from ASI ( AYA importer ) I do not think I have ever had such friendly and knowledgeable help and service from any other company. Well done ASI (AYA) and thank you!

I have not heard of any problems with the single trigger, others may have heard different! I believe the 722 was a model below the No.2, with less engraving on the locks and none on the fences, to me it looks like a Countryman with a single trigger. Prices seem to vary wildly. It is on my list to add to the cabinet at some point.

Well that's a start !

It was well 'used' when I bought it! And for many years it was used constantly by me, there was never a time when it was not needed so just got even more used.It was made around 1963 so has not done too bad for it's age. Please do, it will take the heat off me! Both very nice, lucky you!

My 'old AYA No.2, it is my intention over the coming months to bring her back to a more 'pretty' state. I have had this gun for over 20 years and a good gun it has been, but has gone into retirement to a better No.2. First job is to fit a new top lever spring.

I have always thought it odd when people spend a lot on a gun and then think 'any old cartridge' will do the job and cheaper the better, my personal experience is you often get what you pay for, a consideration for your quarry is what makes you a 'sportsman' too often have I seen birds hit and fly on because the shooter is shooting way past the effective range of the cartridge, pattern is just as important as shot load/size, there is no point having 1 1/8 oz of 3s and shooting at 80 yard birds, oh yes plenty of energy per pellet but not enough of them !

Totally agree

That's fair !

I thought we agreed you would not tell anyone what I paid for them

WOW! Side by Side Club has now had 500 replies in a little over two weeks.

You are not alone there

Thank you for sharing that.

Now that is a good reply !

Thanks for the replies, not looking a good idea based on what you say ! 12 months, well if I cannot get one for the start of the season I will not bother to order one

Has anyone ever tried to blue barrels with a shop bought product ? I fancy having a go and any tips would be much appreciated.

Why, quite simply why! It was much better the old way.

Have you tried any of their clay loads? A very good friend of mine shoots competitive clays at the top level and swears by Sovereign Fibre ( available in 7 ) I have seen him shoot some very long clays with them.

You are quite right, stupid me it's nock a 1/2 off not add it on oooops! In my defence it has been a very long day

If the RC Hyperfast 28g loads are as good as the 35g then they are very tight patterning, they are available in 6 as that is Italian 6 it should be English 6 1/2. Their Red Shot 30g is worth a look it is only 2g more and they are sweet shooting! Also Hull Cartridge Imperial Game 28g 7s, I have used them on clays and they work well.

And very nice they look too, a lucky find indeed.

Yes it does, I think they all had a semi pistol grip stock.

Thank you for that, I kind of guessed it must have been a special order, like you I have only ever seen 1 other for sale and that was 20 years ago and I missed it, this one came up for sale last year and I did not miss this one It handles very well and 3" Tungsten Matrix are surprising mild to shoot out of it. It is now my 'go to' gun for everything, that said I intend to use the 220 Hammer gun as my corvid gun! That is the advantage of dealing with a family run business, they could teach the likes of Browning Winchester a thing or two. I am glad that neither of us is going mad, so we really do remember an AYA advert with Lord Lichfield, all we have to do now is find a copy of it.