doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com V. Bernardelli vs Aya Model Specific Question

You sure might consider just having the chokes opened up to something like .007 and .020 and call it good. That combination would give you a lot of versatility and you'd never miss the screw in chokes. Also be infinitely cheaper. Skeet's in Oklahoma does fabulous work and only $45 per tube. It seems most shooters who have the screw in chokes seem to end up with IC and Mod screwed in and never change them.

I had my Bernardelli hammer gun opened up to .007 and .015 and am VERY pleased with Skeet's work.

I may send another, a 16 gauge AYA, we shall see what the sands of time dictate.

Mike

The problems I had on both guns were with the ejectors.They were repaired. Bobby

$45 for opening chokes on chrome-lined bores is pretty darned reasonable.

I've owned (and field tested) several each AyA's and Bernardellis over the years. I'd also go with Bernardelli--although I'd say there was some decline in quality shortly before Bernie production ended.

I imported Bernadellis for many years. They are great guns. The only issues we had were the top lever springs and the firing pins. But that was normal.

The firing pins are a a part of the hammer, so it can be expensive to get that fix.

To my knowledge there is no source for parts for these guns

John Boyd
Quality Arms
Houston, TX

I'm glad to learn that opening the chokes is a feasible option with chrome lined barrels. That may end up being the way I go. It all depends on my wife. This gun will likely become her's if she likes it and it can be fitted to her. I know it will work for me, but we still have to get her fitted to know where her "Drop at the heel" limits are. If it turns out she likes it and can use it properly, will likely go with opening the chokes for use shooting skeet and sporting clays. If not, I may go with the screw in chokes so I can use it and choke it for the same or tighter as needed for duck hunting. I'm just getting started with shooting clays and she is interested in joining in on the fun. She's not bothered by the recoil when she shoots my 12 ga Superposed using 7/8 oz loads, so hopefully the Bernardelli will not be too light for her in this regard. If it bothers her to shoot it, I'll keep it for me, and find her something else. Most of my options are tentative for now until we get her fitted. If she doesn't like this Bernardelli, we will see how my 16 ga sidelock works out. Not interested in an autoloader for her just yet if I can find her a double instead.

Be aware if it is a later Bernardelli the stock will have a through bolt and you will find the wrist area on a 12 to be fairly large for small hands.

This is a 1957 model I believe. The other concern I have is that she will get sore fingers from the DT guard recoil smack.

You can probably solve the finger issue with one of the little rubber "bumpers".

Those 'rubber bumpers' Larry referred to have solved the problem for me on a few of my own guns. Galazon carries one in his catalog and I'm sure they are available elsewhere...Geo