doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Western Arms

I just received a Western Arms Long Range, made by Ithaca, in 20 ga that I "won" the auction for. If I understand right, these are basically a cheaper version of the Nitro Special because of the malleable iron frame. I don't really know what that means, but that's what everybody says. What puzzles me is if they were made to be cheaper, with cheaper metal in the frame, why are they usually higher than a Nitro Special now? They may not usually sell for more, but the price on them in the Gun Digest magazine (Gun List, or Dick & Craig List ) is nearly always higher than a N.S. Just wondering.
Thanks, Curtis

Don't look at Dick and Craig's pricing-they are most always out to lunch. I think they look at Cabela's, and mark it up 15% from their pricing.

The guns are pretty equvalent, frame material aside. No checkering on the Western, but, the checkering on a Nitro isn't going to win any awards.

Several years past, I bought a new-in-the-box Western arms gun, one of just a few built in 1931, that some poor depresion era soul had spec-ed with a single trigger.

Never got used to a single trigger, and sold the piece long ago. Not because it was a bad gun, though.
Best,
Ted

I have one in 20ga, not the prettiest, but its the gun i pull out when hunting in heavy brush, I have shot a bunch of birds with it..always goes bang.

h d hawg'r, To answer your question the Nitro Special's usually bring a bit more than the Western Arms if they are in comparable condition. However, the WA's are hard to find in really nice condition, particularly the small bores, and will bring almost as much as the NS's.

Sales did slow down on those guns in 1931, but it wasn't too bad a year--about 5500 of them produced (out of the 65,000 or so total production, 1929-46). All the American "economy" doubles have gotten pricier in recent years, probably because those considered the true "classics"--especially the 21's, Parkers and Foxes--have gotten very expensive. Cowboy Action shooters have probably helped drive up the prices on those economy doubles as well.

Id rate the Western Arms as at least as good as the 21....

Shades of Klunkermeister.....
Best,
Ted

Thanks guys. What got me to wondering about the price is because in Gun Digest mag there has been a few W. A. 16 ga's that I have noticed, and they've been being priced around $995. I sure haven't noticed a N. S. priced that high, of course I could have missed it too.
Ted, I wonder if the boys might smoke a bowl or two of Half & Half and another Half? I've noticed several guns listed close to a "Dick & Craig" gun, and listed for 2/3 to 3/4 of their price. Funny you mention Cabela's. A friend and I rode to Bass Pro at Springfield MO last Friday. I had to visit the Fine Gun Room to see if the NID 16 ga is still there, listed at $2699. Yup, still there, and I saw it last year about this time. I sure think it's the same one. Right beside it was a Savage Fox Model B 12 ga, for only $1495. I wonder if that one might be there for a while too?

Curtis, I got one of the 16 gauge Western Arms guns last year. Someone else mentioned that they make a nice beater gun. Unfortunately, everything I own falls into that category. Mine hasn't been abused at all and the auction ended at $265. I think any price approaching 1k is way out of line.

Skip

I think Bass Pro, from the prices I've seen, pretty much sets the standard for "fine gun" inflation. Word is they're going to build one near Des Moines. I was talking to the guys at Scheels in W. Des Moines the other day; told them I didn't think there would be much serious competition in the fine gun business.