NickB65 Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 I have a lovely FABARM ELOS OU which I use for Pigeon bashing and clays and I will be buying a semi auto in a few months to do some of the pigeon busting but I have a fancy for a SxS for the game days. Something a little traditional for those special invite days or when I walk up a field. Now do not get me wrong I am not looking to buy a master or spend mega bucks but looking to buy a nice second hand SxS gun with a touch of class. Any recommendations or advice on what to stay clear of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackpowder Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Loads of good working guns by Birmingham and provincial makers always for sale. Guns with sleeved barrels seem to go form a very reasonable price and its nice to own a bit of classic British gunsmithing. Blackpowder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ttfjlc Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 I shoot with a Webley & Scott 700, lovely gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul T Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 I'd stay clear of cheap Spanish sidelocks - I've got one and it's had to be repaired. Apparently there is too much wood taken out to house the locks, so the heads have a tendency to weaken and split. So unless you have a budget for an AyA No2 I'd steer clear of the cheaper sidelocks. There are some nice English SxS about at the moment for not a lot of money - Damascus barrels too if you look hard enough. I'm seriously tempted by this little beauty http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Unkown_Shotgun_Hammer_For-Sale_14071611122623. Not sure of the origin, but it's nice all the same. Think about chamber size and proofing too. 2 1/2" chambers are fine for most uses, but they won't take a goose cartridge! Personally, I'd give Mick (Wabbitbosher) a shout on here. I've bought from him and not been disappointed - In fact it's my favourite game gun! He'll have something to suit your budget and shooting needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 I'd stay clear of cheap Spanish sidelocks - I've got one and it's had to be repaired. Apparently there is too much wood taken out to house the locks, so the heads have a tendency to weaken and split. So unless you have a budget for an AyA No2 I'd steer clear of the cheaper sidelocks. There are some nice English SxS about at the moment for not a lot of money - Damascus barrels too if you look hard enough. I'm seriously tempted by this little beauty http://www.guntrader.co.uk/Guns-For-Sale/Unkown_Shotgun_Hammer_For-Sale_14071611122623. Not sure of the origin, but it's nice all the same. Think about chamber size and proofing too. 2 1/2" chambers are fine for most uses, but they won't take a goose cartridge! Personally, I'd give Mick (Wabbitbosher) a shout on here. I've bought from him and not been disappointed - In fact it's my favourite game gun! He'll have something to suit your budget and shooting needs. Agreed all round, but my take on the 'cheap Spanish' would be that the metal can be pretty poor quality and soft - which makes repairs both frequent and harder. Some gunsmiths don't want to touch them. AyA are pretty good though, but not 'cheap'. No 2 and No 3 are nice guns. English boxlocks can be good value especially provincial makers and there are many nice well made sound guns around that probably started life in Birmingham, despite what the name may say. Condition is the thing to look for. Avoid single triggers on English guns - same applies to Spanish, though the Italians had them mastered. There are plenty of good game loads in 2 1/2". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Merkels are OK. Built like tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Nice aya no4 if your looking to spend about £500. A decent aya no2 would be around a grand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
button Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Aya no4 are a great second hand buy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 I have an AYA number 2 that will likely be for sale shortly, just dont use it. Less than 200 carts in last 15 years. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted August 17, 2014 Report Share Posted August 17, 2014 Your budget is the biggest thing, you will find a gun for any budget but without letting us know how much you want to spend its hard the give advice other than what you have been given. For a few thousand I'd buy a Arrietta or the new Beretta SxS, for around fifteen hundred a AYA 53, or a Webly & Scott 712 or a decent 700, less than that and a Good condition AYA number 4. Any less and its luck of the draw, deffo see what's in the bosher cabinet. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 From your described use, to keep the cost down and the quality up, I second the remark about the 21/2" chambers; also, think about your need for ejectors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungle The Bear Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Not all the spanish stuff is inferior, many of the gunmark side by sides are made by Garrbi or arrieta - many of these will have been hand finished and regulated. I personally would have no hesitation buying one, try and find a gunmark royale its a copy of a holland and holland - i just think they offer outstanding value, you may pick one up in mint condition for around the £1K mark, AYAs are always good value the no4 is better value than the sidelocks, i personally prefer the Gunmark Royale to the no.2 AYA it just feels as bit livlier and less chunky - I have both and love the Royale, these are still made today and marketed by GMK under the Arieta banner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theshootist Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Merkels are OK. Built like tanks. Seconded - and they are great value for what they are if you can find one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 W&S 700/701/702. £1000-£2500. Buy english/look after/get your money back......what is your budget? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bungle The Bear Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Certainly cant argue about any of the W & Scotts mentioned above, as long as they steer clear of the 712 which isnt worthy of the name, if anyone can find a good gunmark royale or who has one they want to sell - I shall take it off your hands Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted August 18, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Thank you for your comments...... The budget is about £500 or more if I can find one that is a decent length as most seem to be too short so I want to keep £150 to one side to extend to 15". I have seen some really nice AYA No 4 and a few lovely hammer guns... just not sure which makes to watch out for and ones to avoid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougall Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 at your budget I would think aya no4 is about right. english would need to be non ejector to find anything in tidy condition...I'm guessing ejector is not that important to you as you mentioned hammer guns?.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_79 Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Webley & Scott 700, I have one and I love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chacotawas Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 Another one for contacting Mick Vokes (Wabbitbosher) on here. Put his name into the Search facility and you'll be able to private message him from PW. Proper bloke who'll see you right. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayano3 Posted August 18, 2014 Report Share Posted August 18, 2014 http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/291014-aya-4-boxlock-ejector-12-gauge/?do=findComment&comment=2602452 This gun looks good to me. Not mine and don't know the seller but is a possibility I would guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
button Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Pm sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cambsman Posted August 19, 2014 Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Save the pennies and get an AYA no 2. Job done. No worries. Move on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickB65 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 (edited) Save the pennies and get an AYA no 2. Job done. No worries. Move on. Just had a look at the AYA no 2 and what a lovely gun....... one for sale in London is perfect... but at £4k I think I need to save some pennies.... And a James Purdey..... at £12k is just so divine...... guess I will have to win the lotto for that one. Edited August 19, 2014 by NickB65 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markt3815 Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 I shoot an aya no2 it's the only thing I can shoot allways looks the part on any size shoot at 4k it should be new..I paid £700 for mine had the barrels done off barrel browner and the stock re oiled it looks 10k and I've got £900 in it wouldn't have anything else.. Sold my uo and semi is up for sale.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnfromUK Posted August 20, 2014 Report Share Posted August 20, 2014 (edited) 4K is well over the top for a No 2. You can get AyA No 1's for less than that. Looking through the ads, No 2's seem to be advertised at around 900 - 1500 mostly - with the usual crop of optimists above that Edited August 20, 2014 by JohnfromUK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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