enfieldspares Posted August 11, 2020 Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 And meanwhile enjoy the video link I posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted August 11, 2020 Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 Just be aware, if you start looking at Webley and Scott guns in gun shops, that modern W&S guns are not W&S guns at all, but are Turkish made. Buy a W&S mod 700 by all means, but no later made ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSpredder Posted August 11, 2020 Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 Very frustrating if a gun breaks down (it usually happens just before a big shoot) and has to be sent away for repair to a specialist at the other end of the country, or spares have to be specially imported. Best to buy something with: a reputation for reliability (which generally implies a good design, good quality materials, components accurately machined and correctly heat treated) large numbers in use (so that most gunsmiths will be familiar the mechanism, and know how to diagnose faults and carry our repairs quickly) most spare parts readily available (and preferably cheap) a simple mechanism (easily repaired, not difficult for a competent gunsmith to make parts if spare are unavailable) To an amateur like me, that list points towards either an AyA or a bog-standard Birmingham boxlock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 11, 2020 Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 1 hour ago, jords said: greenfields it is then! Should you go, please do not come back and post pictures of what you may have bought if it's either the Best Quality AyA Boxlock or, in particular, the 25" barrelled Webley and Scott 702. Bear in mind the prices will to a degree reflect the unpopularity of the barrel length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted August 11, 2020 Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 (edited) Best value...assuming that the stock fits you and that is crucial...on the Greenfields website is this below: https://www.greenfieldguns.com/gun-details/888180322104453003/ Superb guns (I bought my son a Gunmark Viscount) and not over priced either as seemingly as are the Greenfield's listed AyA guns. Assuming all is good that £795 is a fair and honest price for a cracking gun. This website has AyA guns at prices that are 2020 realistic. Greenfield's prices are, for AyA, still 1980s prices! https://www.gilesmarriott.co.uk/product-category/shotguns/side-by-sides/?orderby=price Edited August 11, 2020 by enfieldspares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jords Posted August 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 1 hour ago, wymberley said: Should you go, please do not come back and post pictures of what you may have bought if it's either the Best Quality AyA Boxlock or, in particular, the 25" barrelled Webley and Scott 702. Bear in mind the prices will to a degree reflect the unpopularity of the barrel length. what do you mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 11, 2020 Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 20 minutes ago, jords said: what do you mean? OK, I'm not too fussed about the AyA as after all I've just sold my very rare Churchill. These were a best quality boxlock with a Churchill rib and 25" barrels. AyA have very little info' on them as they were only made for a year before they morphed into the cheaper AyA XXV. Mine was the boxlock. If, however, you put up the 702 I would turn a very bright envy shade of green. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted August 11, 2020 Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 Nords you appear to be the perfect size for most sxs guns. I'm too tall for most. You don't need a steel.proofed gun to shoot steel. Only hp steel and I'd put any through my sxs that for the 70mm chambers. Buy a nice used example and enjoy your new gun. You've got years before a lead ban is enforced. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted August 11, 2020 Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 A shooting pal has an RFM gun from Sportsman and he's pleased with it. It comes up nicely and he shoots well with it. It's well finished. It had to go back once for adjustment, but other than that has been reliable. I'm puzzled by the lack of a selective single trigger though. I much prefer double triggers on a SBS. https://www.ukgunroom.com/dealer-directory/viewDealer.jsp?id=1476 seems to have a good stock of Spanish guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jords Posted August 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 1 hour ago, arjimlad said: A shooting pal has an RFM gun from Sportsman and he's pleased with it. It comes up nicely and he shoots well with it. It's well finished. It had to go back once for adjustment, but other than that has been reliable. I'm puzzled by the lack of a selective single trigger though. I much prefer double triggers on a SBS. https://www.ukgunroom.com/dealer-directory/viewDealer.jsp?id=1476 seems to have a good stock of Spanish guns. really appreciate your feedback, thankyou, i think im gonna stick with a second hand SBS based on the experienced members already with them. jords Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jords Posted August 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 2 hours ago, figgy said: Nords you appear to be the perfect size for most sxs guns. I'm too tall for most. You don't need a steel.proofed gun to shoot steel. Only hp steel and I'd put any through my sxs that for the 70mm chambers. Buy a nice used example and enjoy your new gun. You've got years before a lead ban is enforced. i have been told i can shoot steel through it, so thats deffo a positive for me ( abit relieving too) to be honest, i have shot with an O/U for a while and i just dont like them.. they feel too heavy for me to be comfortable. when i go to the clay ground for abit of practise & mention anything about a SBS, everybody always raises an eye brow like im crazy... ive learned to take it with a pinch of salt though.. its like most clay grounds are heavily against them.. ( i know they are a game gun).. but where else do you practise with it lol? most SBS are light and manoeuvrable for me, just feels right you know?.. i shot one a few times with 28'' barrels.. and shot very well with it... much better than a O/U. despite the gun not fitting me & feeling like the barrels were a tad longer than i would have liked.. i hit 40/50 clay with it. the recoil kicked like a mule on steroids but im pretty sure it was the type of shot i was using.. (beggars cant be choosers as the saying goes).. honestly cant wait to get my hands on one & get some hard core practise in with it! i will definitely be going for a double trigger AYA, Webley & scott or something along those lines.. just going to see what greenfields have & most importantly what fits! thanks for the advice all the best jords Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jords Posted August 11, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2020 (edited) 4 hours ago, wymberley said: OK, I'm not too fussed about the AyA as after all I've just sold my very rare Churchill. These were a best quality boxlock with a Churchill rib and 25" barrels. AyA have very little info' on them as they were only made for a year before they morphed into the cheaper AyA XXV. Mine was the boxlock. If, however, you put up the 702 I would turn a very bright envy shade of green. haha, that made me laugh! i will do my best to impress! you have been a gentleman! thankyou for all of your advice! and i will insist on posting my beloved purchase on Saturday! as for the churchill, i am already envious! best regards jords Edited August 11, 2020 by jords Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 If you like a sxs go for it, once shot a local fitasc comp with mine for a bit of fun. Never hit as many but don't think there was a target I failed to hit. Have you tried a semi auto, less weight up front and will shoot any carts you'd like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 I read the link to these RFM guns and it says the SxS is built to handle like an O/U, and it weighs 7 1/4 pounds. Well, that defeats the object of. SxS straight away. A mate bought a Winchester 23 many years ago. To my taste it was heavy and handled like a plank, horrid thing. He still has it forty years on and he still can’t shoot with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arjimlad Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 14 hours ago, jords said: really appreciate your feedback, thankyou, i think im gonna stick with a second hand SBS based on the experienced members already with them. jords I think that would be very wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 14 hours ago, jords said: haha, that made me laugh! i will do my best to impress! you have been a gentleman! thankyou for all of your advice! and i will insist on posting my beloved purchase on Saturday! as for the churchill, i am already envious! best regards jords Don't forget you will then be able to post in the Side by Side Club. Also, don't forget that you are the only person that matters with your choice. You can guarantee that whereas this is your first, it will not be your last. I go on about the 25s because I did walked up (weight) and pigeon decoying from a hide ( shorter barrels better suited to this) but a 6lb gun with the 25" barrels does not necessarily suit all applications. There is good reason why it's somewhat unusual to find a single gun cabinet. Just because I would have the W&S 25 in a flash provided it was in good nick as it suits my needs doesn't mean to say it would be good for you. I have been eyeing that one, but already have a 700 from '74 which according to UKGR has spent most of its life in a coma, never mind being a cleeper with 26" barrels and also magic little S56E 20 bore at 26.5 so in truth I'm sorted. However, I've just looked in my cabinet and there is a space for just one more ...........Assuming that it's not for you, could you do me a favour should you go and have a look at that W&S for me? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 S56E In 20 bore. NICE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wymberley Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 16 minutes ago, London Best said: S56E In 20 bore. NICE! Thank 'ee. Picked it up while browsing in UKGR and found that I couldn't put it down. While Dennis was giving me a good price, Brian dropped the comb and fitted a pad getting it spot on at the plate. The only detraction from the new condition is that being from '77 the barrels might need some black in a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enfieldspares Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 2 hours ago, London Best said: I read the link to these RFM guns and it says the SxS is built to handle like an O/U, and it weighs 7 1/4 pounds. Well, that defeats the object of. SxS straight away. A mate bought a Winchester 23 many years ago. To my taste it was heavy and handled like a plank, horrid thing. He still has it forty years on and he still can’t shoot with it. Indeed. It'b be like having a Chippendale chair built like a modern IKEA chair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Heron Posted August 12, 2020 Report Share Posted August 12, 2020 My two pence for what it's worth stick with aya n2 lve got one steer clear of single selective triggers I've had one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted August 13, 2020 Report Share Posted August 13, 2020 Hello, what gun shop will you visit near you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jords Posted September 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2020 On 12/08/2020 at 10:21, wymberley said: On 12/08/2020 at 08:20, figgy said: If you like a sxs go for it, once shot a local fitasc comp with mine for a bit of fun. Never hit as many but don't think there was a target I failed to hit. Have you tried a semi auto, less weight up front and will shoot any carts you'd like. On 12/08/2020 at 10:21, wymberley said: Don't forget you will then be able to post in the Side by Side Club. Also, don't forget that you are the only person that matters with your choice. You can guarantee that whereas this is your first, it will not be your last. I go on about the 25s because I did walked up (weight) and pigeon decoying from a hide ( shorter barrels better suited to this) but a 6lb gun with the 25" barrels does not necessarily suit all applications. There is good reason why it's somewhat unusual to find a single gun cabinet. Just because I would have the W&S 25 in a flash provided it was in good nick as it suits my needs doesn't mean to say it would be good for you. I have been eyeing that one, but already have a 700 from '74 which according to UKGR has spent most of its life in a coma, never mind being a cleeper with 26" barrels and also magic little S56E 20 bore at 26.5 so in truth I'm sorted. However, I've just looked in my cabinet and there is a space for just one more ...........Assuming that it's not for you, could you do me a favour should you go and have a look at that W&S for me? Cheers. hey guys, so after pain stakingly visiting 6 shops looking to purchase my first SxS & having no luck... i decided to visit my local ''tackle'' shop.. little did i know he sold shotguns (i thought only air pellet rifles) after asking the gentleman behind the counter, we went to the back of the shop to his ''fire arms room'' ... SWEET! .... i started seeing SxS shotguns.. he then proceeds to reel out the asking prices for the guns on display... '' this ones £25k, this ones £13k, blah blah'' (he had a beautiful holland though) im standing there like ****SAKE.... wayyyyyy out of budget.... my eyes automatically was drawn to the top of the guns in the cabinet, for a rough size up of barrel lengths.. tucked right away in the corner.... a nearly new AYA no.2 based countryman SxS.....i pointed straight to that one.. he said it belonged to a rich arab gentleman.. who also owned the holland & holland for sale.. amongst 3 others on display... he is apparently terminally ill & has packed up here to live his remaining days in dubai... anyway a long story short.. this gun was bought as a ''messing around'' gun just before he was diagnosed.. it has apparently only been shot a handful of times.. (apparently a box of game shot at the max) there is a little nick in the stock.. the barrels are like brand new, no scratches or signs of wear (the speckles on the barrels is reflection) from the blu-ing to the internals.. it has 100% of its colour case hardening remaining.. it has 28'' barrels, 2 & 3/4 inch chambers, choked to 1/4 & 1/2. lastly a shorter 14'' stock which fits me like a glove! paid £895 for it.. just wanted to say a big thankyou to everybody that gave me top advice! i avoided some really horrid guns from what ive picked up here! one question..... in terms of opening the shotgun & cocking the gun, it is quite easy, when ejecting the shells, its very powerful & closing the gun after the ejection has taken place is quite stiff/ hard to close. is this normal? all the best jords Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Best Posted September 3, 2020 Report Share Posted September 3, 2020 Perfectly normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jords Posted September 3, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2020 3 minutes ago, London Best said: Perfectly normal. brilliant thankyou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 3, 2020 Report Share Posted September 3, 2020 On closing your re cocking the the ejectors so it's harder. As London best stated normal. Try a self opener or assisted opening gun, more trouble that it's worth trying to close them when not used to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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