doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com RBL 16 or AyA 4/53? Your opinions please!!!

I've got approx $3k for a 16ga double. If I want new, would you guys go for the new RBL or the AyA 4/53?

I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks!!!

Although I have no experience with the RBL, I recently bought a Cabela's AyA "Classic" 4/53, the one with the fancy scratching (a 28 gauge... the last one they had until the new shipment, at a higher price, comes in "someday"). To me the AyA is more visually appealing. It has more hand work (RBLs are machine made and they look that way to me) and a more traditional game gun look (hand engraved and checkered, also nice fit and finish). It does not come with a case, but most of my cases just sit in a closet anyway (you can't fit many in a safe and they get beat up if you use them to take a gun hunting). The AyA has a 5 year warranty, although I don't know what the RBL's warranty is. Take a hard look at them both; which one blows your hair back more? (if you still have any hair; I don't have much).
Joe

Hi, I would agree with Joe, then again, I love spanish guns. Spanish guns have that "english" feel to them. While the 4/53 is a very nice gun, it is rather plain Jane in looks. If your interested in a good classic style game gun and one that is well made and feels great between your hands, you may want to check out the Ugartechea Sidelocks. They are known as Grade IV's. I have one and I'm very happy with it. Weight is about 6.5 and she handles great. The only draw backs to Uggies is the wood. The wood is often without much figure and the finish on them begs for a few more applications of oil. I refinished my stock and it does look 100% better. These Uggies are around the 3k mark. They have some at Lion Country Supply

The 4/53 Classic that Joe is talking about is also a nice gun. If you like a BL, this may be the way to go.

I guess for me bottom line is I'll take a Spanish gun.

Good luck and have fun looking!!

Greg

At this time you see both selling for less than the first owner paid for them.Buy the one you like the most.You can hunt with a 4/53 this week the other who knows when.

Here's a nice one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=114640669
(John Boyd from Quality Arms)
And another (from Michael Murphy and Sons): http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=114916053
Joe

I have several Spanish guns. I am waiting on my third custom made Arrieta. The lure of the Spanish gun, for me anyway, was the capability of getting a custom made stock.

I am however intigued by the heavy 12 ga RBL.

Is the AYA steel safe? The RBL is and that may be something to consider for the future.

The resale value of the RBL is much better, not to mention it is made here (should also make any repairs much easier), and has several options available that the AYA does not. I bought a 16b Uggie Lion Country grade 1 for $1395 and when I sold it a year later I was lucky to get $1k for it. In my opinion the RBL is a better value, and may even appreciate over time if taken care of.

If the RBL16s come out at 6.25 pounds or less I would go with the RBL. The fly-in-the-ointment for me is ordering a custom gun without being able to specify the maximum weight - or for that matter not even being guaranteed a range from the maker. The nice thing about the Cabelas' AYAs is that you can pick your weight off of their website list.

I prefer a lightweight sixteen to hunt bobwhites with.

Best,

Mike

I would go with the RBL because they are made here and you will probably get better service in the future. I would get it in 12 or 20. The 16 is heading back toward being an off gauge (I stopped using the term b@st@rd gun)and probably will be for the next twenty years.