doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com RBL wood

Keith, that is the same thing I did.

I've seen 2 RBL's (in person) with "Exhibition" wood; IMHO, neither looked like what was paid for. In fact, one of the owners said himself that the quality was not what he expected.

On the other hand, I've seen some RBL's (on the net, not in person) with standard 2X wood that looked really good for basic wood.

In your position, I'd probably either stay standard or go to 3X and hope for the best. I know it's said that you'll never regret upgrading your wood, but that holds true only if you get what you pay for...

From the pictures that I have seen the checkering looks good. I would like to know from the people who own a RBL if it is as good in real life as in the photos. The photos seem to show no blackening caused by the laser.

Mine has "exhibition" black walnut. I am very disappointed with it, feeling it is very little better than the standard wood. Though there is feathering on both sides the contrast is subdued. I do wish I'd saved the extra spent on the wood upgrade and spent it on something else. Other than the wood issue the gun is a great value.

I thank all those who have responded. I still would like to see some pics of a standard grade gun with 2x wood. If I feel it is adequate, I wll stick with my original order. If not, I will upgrade the wood. It has never been about the money, I have enough guns with high grade wood that don't spend the time in the field they should because of potential damage done by such activity. I had my favorite ICD at a gun club two weeks ago and came home with a nice dink compliments of careless shooter...ever wonder if these things are intentional? Anyway, I shoot all my high grades, but damage issues bother me.
The thought behind this gun was to have one that you would take through the car wash to find the next grouse.

Same here. I'm thrilled with mine, and unlike some, it's already had four days afield, shooting pheasants, ..and a couple of trips to the Grouse butt, and sporting clays field, here at Hill Country. Sad to say, it got a scuff, when I took a tumble, but that will get repaired when the stock gets bent, at Glenn Baker's in the spring.
Interestingly, the silly thing has a bit of cast on, go figure.

Tom,
Got my call from Carol. RBL on the way. Unfortunatley, I'll be in Texas.
Bob Jurewicz

Bob,

Hopefully, your wait (and mine) will have been worth it. Remember, in my case, you planted the seed. I've spent more than $2,700 (and lost it) on lesser investments...a certain Parker Repro (the gun from hell) comes to mind.

Anyway, if I don't like the gun, I can always leave it in MT. Remember, these guns are shooters!!

Again, I appreciate the input received from all those who responded. I called Carol today and upgraded to presentation grade wood. I realize that some of you who have received their guns are not happy with the quality of the wood, especially you Joe. I can only hope that there aren't two bad pieces of American Walnut or that I'm one of the lucky ones, however unlikely.

The status of the Nov.,2005 orders, according to my phone conversation today, is that the first two weeks are in production and that they have called for the second two weeks (mine), but haven't started work on them.

I think your upgrade was a wise decision Tom. I did the same thing some months ago (switching from 3x claro to presentation black). What turned me were a pair of 21's sitting side by side at a pigeon shoot. The 21 has always struck me as the ultimate (and nearly indestructable) utility gun. Both these guns were basic models but the early serial number example had a piece of lumber which would give a 2x6 a bad name and the latter one had feather black to make you weep. No comparison. The RBL with a high end piece of American Black simply seemed the way to go.