doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com What can be said of AYA`s quality?

What can be said of AYA`s current quality?
Can their boxlock handle sporting clays?
Hows their metal hardnesses and such?
thanks much,
billy

A "3.5kilo" Numero 4 with 76mm chamber and 76cm barrels might work for you. I'm looking at 2nd-hand IG Modelo 30 extractor in excellent condition with 76cm barrels and 76mm chamber plus orignal juicy black pad. Hey for $550 I'm willing to take a "plunge"!
Bad news matey, 2nd-hand AyA of equal quality and condition will set you back >2x that price now.

My 70s #2 was well made. I can't speak for todays quality. But, I think you'll find they will take more sporting clay shooting than your shoulder can take with such a light gun in 12, 16, or 20 gauges. I shot 200 rounds at clay targets with my #2 20g and thought my shoulder had been hit with a 9 iron repeatedly.

I recently bought, then traded, a Model 433 made by AyA for Sears back in the 70's. DT/extractor gun. Set me back less than $400. Weighed right at 7#. Expect it would've been OK for Clays, although one might want to install a good recoil pad if you're shooting a lot of 1 1/8 oz loads.

I feel the quality varies on these guns. I recently had a customer who purchased a brand new fancy back ble for the importer. He had nothing but problems with the gun and finally returned it. The gun was a gun made in 2007 and the metal was very soft. I was under the impression that the spanish gunmakers had gotten this problem under control, until that gun kept coming back into my shop. You pay your money and you takje your chances is my take.
steve

I had sold many AYAs over the years and have been selling the newer models too. I have had no problems with them breaking down.


John Boyd

I, too, was under the impression the older ones had the great disparity of quality issues. I haven't seen that many of the older ones from the 70's and 80's. The ones I imported were in the late 90's. They were wonderful. I still have one, a #2 20 that is excellent. But now they are pricey when new and I think there are better values. The Spanish guns have a poor history of holding their values, arguably deserved because of the wide variation in quality. I always ordered an extra set of strikers and firing pins from AyA but never needed them.

I imported recently a brand new sxs bespoke 12GA AYA Nº53 (biggish frame, Purdey third bite, sideclips, floral and ribbon engraving, gold washed locks, etc.) I asked .740" chrome lined bores. It balances right before the hinge pin, weights 3100 grams (6.8 lb), LOP 15", straight hand, with improved redish walnut quality. Perhaps a little light for a semi-heavy duty pigeon gun, but they had to trade lighter 29" barrels by boring the stock. I am absolutely satisfied with it, though I should have had a gunfitting session before ordering it in late 2006. In my opinion the Spanish bespoke guns have the best value for money ratio nowadays. AYA has more models to offer and they made the forged frames for the Spanish trade.

Sounds like a beauty, but from initial description I was expecting 3.5 kilogramer.

I bought a brand new 20 gauge AYA #1 from Jack Rowe three years ago. It has had about 3,500 rounds through it. One of the V springs has a crack in it. The forearm wood has separated from the iron by about 1/32"; I assume it is wood shrinkage. The banjo shaped piece on the end of the forend is loose. The label came loose from the trunk case. The forearm is difficult to remove. The drop points stick out too much - wearing a hot spot on the shooter's thumb.

The triggers are excellent, the ejectors work flawlessly and are timed perfectly. The wood finish and fit and checkering are very good. The gun is very beautiful.

Best,

Mike