doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com CSMC RBL 'Special Reserve' $12,000-13,000

Well, there are exceptions! Very nice wood and the case colors are pretty too. I suppose someone could add to the engraving on one of these if they wanted a more "finished" look.My buddy did that to his repro Parker and it looks a lot better.

Why doesn't Tony offer one in an entry level plain jane hunter version [that could be fixed up to owner's preferences] without all the machine engraving, gold triggers, gun case, etc., and for around $2k? Now that lead shot's tenure seems to be nearing an end in many parts of the country, a nice new shooter like this that can handle steel would definitely have a niche in the mass market if they can hit that lower price point, imho of course. They wouldn't be making much on them, but they would be gaining a ton of new customers to enter into the marketing funnel.

Boy, these RBL owners are sure thin skinned. No body said they were ugly junk that I could see. I ordered one on the initial pass, then after seemingly years of getting the run around on delivery, cancelled it. I then bought one off one of the lists and shot it a bit. Then I sold it, for about what I paid for it. I shoot as most regulars know, mostly Lefevers, and Chief, they dont require any special care or feeding. Unless you call buying Flats of RST's instead of Walmart specials. My 1886 "H" had thousands of clays rounds through it before it broke a hammer. Mr. Buck Hamlin put it right for less than a 100 bucks. The RBL was an OK gun, but lacked that certain feel that some of us know...and love...

LD,
You hit the high points well. Let me fill it in. Old classic guns. Generally unworkable stock dimensions, suspect metallurgy, incompatability with steel or tungsten shot, (supposedely), odd or obsolete chamber lengths. The general unreplaceability of some of them if something goes horribly wrong, just for openers. And I do consider buying RST's and/or reloading special feeding. I haven't seen any for sale over the counter, anywhere. I like to be able to shoot whatever's available.

I love my old guns, I just don't get much use out of them. Notice I didn't state I had no use for them! Notice also that I acknowledge that an RBL is exactly what it is, a 3K gun meant to be used and enjoyed. Occasionally I use a 20 Ga 11-87 (EGAD!!) when it makes sense.

Chief

I agree with Last Dollar: no one who posted in this thread said RBLs were junk. My question has nothing to do with whether these guns are junk, but rather how in the world can CSMC sell a RBL for $13k and how could an individual justify paying that much for what seems to be a $3-4k gun???

Buzz,

Apparently they're having a bit of trouble at 13K! Would you pay 5-6K for the upgraded gun? I might, not sure I would. There is a lot out there even at 5K that I like more, not much at 3K.

Mark,

Me too!! I would have liked a less decorated RBL. Just a bit around the edges would be fine!

Chief

Chief, I have just not experienced the "unreliability" you speak of in quality old guns. As to fit, I dont buy them if they are radical, and in my opinion guys who fret over 1/4 inch of measurement cant shoot the guns that do fit them. Gamebore and RST are available even here in the wilds of NW Kansas, I buy RST's by the flat from RST...UPS hands em to me here at the ranch..It's 65 miles to the nearest Walmart....RE: Steel? What steel I shoot is through a CZ, bought special for that purpose or HORRORS! A semi auto .......

LD,
As I stated before, it's your dollar! Let's just agree to disagree, shake?

So 'fess up, what do you use in an SA gun?

Chief

Buzz:
I also don't understand how a person could justify $13K for a $3K gun. If you want American then for $15,500 you can buy a CSMC FOX bespoke gun. I have handled a couple and they seem like nice guns, but for that kind of money I would go with a nice English SL. I do wish I had purchased a CSMC FOX when they first came out. I want to say the CE was just under $5,000 and that was a steal.

Mike

I'm going grouse hunting for a week in Canada. Guess what? I'm taking an Ithaca Classic Doubles 4ES 28ga. and an RBL-28 as the rainy day gun.
Both are great guns that I shoot remarkably well. That has everything to due with modern stock dimensions and great balance.
The inference in many of the posts is that the RBL is not up to par with many of the older "Classics". I would suggest that the RBL is better on many levels.
If there is a problem, guess what, I send it to CSMC and have it back in a week N/C.