doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com How about AyA doubles?

Some AYA 453 and #4 guns have crappy triggers. So do most of the cheaper models I have handled. The #2's seem better. Otherwise, the #4 Hanus gun I sold this year was well balanced, had great triggers redone by Jack Rowe, and was only 6-1/4 pounds (16 ga-28"). The AYA boxlock doesn't look as nice as the 16 bore Sterlingworth I kept! Mike

Just went to the local Crapbela's and looked the #2s. They had three in 20g. 2 case hardened and on ecoil finish. The Guns checkering was not what I would pay $4500.00 for. Gun #1 had "fuzzy checkering" with the points mashed and gun #2 had the checkering off center. Gun #3 was good, but not exceptional. All guns were not the best on inletting with the wood rising and diving below the metal on all three guns. If you buy an AyA I would not buy it before I see it. On a positive note, they alll balanced superbly. The Merkel I looked at had superior wood to metal fit. Nearly perfect but with less lines per inch than the AyA. The wrist was also thicker than the AyA. The Merkel in 20g. was a little "whippy" to my tastes. Not having the smooth balance of the AyA. Hope this helps with your decision.

IM, the constant warning concerning the resale depreciation of Spanish guns led me to buy a used no.2 for 50 cents on the dollar. Of course, that's the way I buy everything if I can so I own a few "half-guns" and a few that are a bit better than that. Have seen very few no. 2s fall below the $1800-2000 range and have concluded that that's where they stick regardless of condition.

jack

Sound Advice Rabbit. I always appreciate your posts and think you are a real gentleman. Merry Christmas

My 70s #2 had spongy triggers that wouldn't be tolerated on a target gun, but was useable for a hunting gun.

I just bought a AyA #2 16 gauge with "rounded action" and 29" bbls. I think the gun is gorgeous and handles/balances beautifuly. The gun weighs in at 6 pounds even. I've got a couple of problems with the gun, none are major issues, mostly it has to do with aesthetics. I do not like the shiny hot blued barrels, they will be sent off to be properly rust blued. I would like the lock/action pins and triggers to be nitre blued, that will be getting done as well in the near future. I also wish that the factory would build the stocks with neutral cast. The forend fits very tightly, probably needs to be "relieved" just a tad, it has to be thumped on to get it seat on bbl. hangar.
I love the smooth lines of the rounded action, it looks very classy IMO. And the wood is fitted and finished very nicely, all pores being filled and really no flaws in the checkering, everything is as it should be. Not to mention, the wood on this No. 2 is very highly figured :-) The engraving is very tasteful and well done. From what I understand, the engraving is machine done, and then chased by hand. Looks hand cut to me.
The AyA is a seven pin sidelock as compared to the equivalent price range Arrietta is a 5 pin. This AyA is every bit as nice as the Victor Sarasqueta high grade SLE is used to own. I am happy with the gun and would recommend one in a heartbeat.

Best,
Dustin