ziplex Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 To stave off boredom during the winter nights I was thinking of getting hold of a cheap SBS to 'do up'. Seems Ugartechea, Gastinne and Essex are being sold by Avalon Guns for approx £100 and range from 'reasonable','poor' and 'good' condition. I don't intend to muck about with the workings of the gun, just strip the wood and a generally tidy up. Generally will these descriptions relate to cosmetic condition or are they likely to need a gunsmith to look over 'em? If it's likely to end up being an excersise in pouring money down the preverbial then i'll think on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spook Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 There's an old motor trade saying 'You can't polish a ****' :blink: but if your doing it up for the fun of it pick one with a stock thats got an interesting grain on the wood work and a nice and tight action that fits you and feels good in the shoulder. A chap at our local shooting club has just made a stock from alluminium off cuts and it looks superb! Good luck whatever you choose! How about doing a work in progress thread and posting updates and pictures along the way? That would be great to see Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mry716 Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Here is an idea but not a s/s I am afraid. A Baikal o/u ejector in as new condition - not even lost the blue at the muzzles - but the stock is split and unrepairable. But I have a part machined blank that is admirably suitable with rather nice grain. (Blank worth a £150 min if it was put on an English gun). Do you feel like having a go at restocking one of the easiest, if not the easiest, guns to restock. At the end of the day you will have something that looks better than anyone else has when you go shooting and all for £80 and a little effort. Here is a couple of pics of the wood If you do email me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spook Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 How can you turn down an offer like that? the chance to have a bespoke gun for less than a ton :blink: Then do it bit by bit take your time and take loads of pics :( Be the envy of everyone when you turn up at your shoot! and enjoy the satisfaction of shooting of shooting something truely unique Think I might do it myself!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted December 14, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Thanks for the offer mry, was a SBS I was after as it's something I fancy trying, if the tarting up process goes to plan that is... Over to you then Spook!, :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mry716 Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Understood. May I offer a suggestion. Look for an early AYA Yeoman. A non ejector in 'tatty' condition will be around the £75 - £100 BUT at least the bits inside will be OK. You may if lucky find an ejector for less than £200. There are a multitude of cheap guns on the market but most (95%) are past redemption because the parts are so soft and the wear factors so high. People only want to get rid because they are past the point where they are reliable. They are also so heavy - gas pipes for barrels and orange box wood for stocks. Now AYA's today are a little like that but the ones made 20 - 40 years ago are great. All the bits were hardened correctly and the machining was done properly. You wont see an early AYA with bent firing pins so they will fire through out of line discs as you may easily do with even the latest £2000+models and certainly will from the multitude of other makers. Good hunting and have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spook Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Thanks for the offer mry, was a SBS I was after as it's something I fancy trying, if the tarting up process goes to plan that is... Over to you then Spook!, :blink: Woodwork never was my thing thats why I want to see a step by step guide PS why does my Midland O/U go tight if I fire a lot of shots? No good at metal work either :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noddy without Bigears Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 I could'nt think of anything better to do with my spare time, I remember buying a Mk1 Mini for £75 and slowly but surely getting it roadworthy and reliable I loved that car purely because of all the hardwork I'd put into it. So go ahead and restore one, even if you don't increase the value you'll increase the enjoyment you'll get from shooting it. :blink: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Here is an idea but not a s/s I am afraid. A Baikal o/u ejector in as new condition - not even lost the blue at the muzzles - but the stock is split and unrepairable. But I have a part machined blank that is admirably suitable with rather nice grain. (Blank worth a £150 min if it was put on an English gun). Do you feel like having a go at restocking one of the easiest, if not the easiest, guns to restock. At the end of the day you will have something that looks better than anyone else has when you go shooting and all for £80 and a little effort. If you do email me. Nice offer! If you live in East Sussex area I would have that :blink: Got a full woodwork shop area here, and soon will have a metal lathe and milling machine. I look forward to working on old gun wrecks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Master Posted December 14, 2006 Report Share Posted December 14, 2006 Good luck with it. :blink: FM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham M Posted December 15, 2006 Report Share Posted December 15, 2006 Email sent Mry :blink: G.M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mry716 Posted December 15, 2006 Report Share Posted December 15, 2006 Its yours if you want it GM ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted December 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2006 Understood. May I offer a suggestion. Look for an early AYA Yeoman. A non ejector in 'tatty' condition will be around the £75 - £100 BUT at least the bits inside will be OK. You may if lucky find an ejector for less than £200. There are a multitude of cheap guns on the market but most (95%) are past redemption because the parts are so soft and the wear factors so high. People only want to get rid because they are past the point where they are reliable. They are also so heavy - gas pipes for barrels and orange box wood for stocks. Now AYA's today are a little like that but the ones made 20 - 40 years ago are great. All the bits were hardened correctly and the machining was done properly. You wont see an early AYA with bent firing pins so they will fire through out of line discs as you may easily do with even the latest £2000+models and certainly will from the multitude of other makers. Good hunting and have fun. :blink: ................thanks for that mry, much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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