doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com 1st post introduction- purchase advice

I have a friend with a mint condition Sauer sidelock, it's a postwar gun, either a 12 or 16 (don't remember) and he's looking to sell it. It's well within your range.

If interested I can put you in touch with him. Send me an email.

recoil@optonline.net

Dave, I may have a gun you might be interested in. I am down the street from you in Royal Oak ...email me denwolfe@sbcglobal.net

Hi and welcome to the forum, lots of great folks here and lost of wonderful info - I love this forum and I'm sure you will also.

Anyway, my 2c worth. For the kind of money your talking you have so many wonderful choices you can make. As others have said and I will here, look at some of these makers:

Garbi
Grulla
AyA (No 1)
Arreita
Perhaps a good used Arrizabalaga (The Purdey of Spain)
Any of the well known English makers (this guns are lightweight in a 12, but remember most come with 2 1/2" chambers).

Look around on the various sites. After all looking is most of the fun!!

I would also consider a 16ga (my favorite), but if I had to choose between a 12 or 20, go 12.

Again, welcome and good luck - keep us posted!

All the best!

Greg

Consider going to one of the several double gun events where there are double gun shooters about, guns for sale and targets to be shot. Do that before you go and buy something blind. You need to 'test the water first' in order to make a determination based on more than just well intended advice .. a bit of first hand trigger pulling should be requisite.

Merkel makes a 16/20 .. a 16ga. on their 20ga. frame. McBrides on Lamar in Austin,TX has had them. You might call & speak w/Joe if that interests you.

On a new gun it will be close to impossible to try it out beforehand, so the trick is to find someone who has a gun aleady that you might try. Gun clubs & events are the classic way to do that. Some dealers will let you shoot a used gun that is for sale; polite protocol says you ask first to avoid any issues.

Just some thots, perhaps something of value to you. Good luck in your quest and welcome aboard.

Welcome Dave,
I know you said new...but,,,,
Would a lovely older Gun turn you on at all?
If you're willing to pay 8-10 Grand..you could ,I'm sure, with some hard looking find a wonderful condition Gun from a fine English/Belgian maker.
You would for sure get one hell of a nice vintage Boxlock or Sideplated gun for that.An even nicer HammerGun.
There are good little-used lovely old guns out there..many with original 2 3/4 chambers
Good luck with your selection
cheers
franc O

Lowell,
While I agree with you that the high condition untouched Parkers like all other collectors sxs's will always be the most sought after and valued of the lot I don't agree that the less valued Parkers like one that may be all original but let's say with a well done wood re-finish are " just another Gun".
My point to Dave was more the fact that a new Uggie,Merkel or most other nice quality new SXS's in his price range will likely not lose value but will not appreciate much over the years like a good quality Parker,Elsie etc and to say otherwise contradicts the entire used American SXS market.

Respectfully,
Brad

Try Looking at British Sporting Arms web site. Charles and Margaret have a very nice selection. While the Various Spanish, Italian, German, American, ETC guns are very nice, there is something about the feel and balance of a Brit gun that is hard to duplicate.

Lowell, there's a lot of BS that floats around when it comes to Parkers and you're helping spread it.

One of the biggest lies Parker collectors like to feed each other is that only high condition guns are truly collectible, and they are the only ones that show strong appreciation. It's just not the truth.

Dave, I just picked up a new Merkel 47SL (their basic sidelock) in 12ga, new, for well under your budget. In fact, got it for about what an AyA #2 sells for, and at that price I think it's a very good buy. Take your time shopping; decide whether you want vintage or new. Actually, some of the best bargains fall into the "in-between" category best described as "newer used". With the latter, you don't need to worry about short shells, low pressure shells . . . shoot factory American stuff. And compared to new--although you can find some pretty good buys if you look, as I did with my Merkel--there's a real price advantage because the Euro is currently so strong against the $.

Take your time. Don't hesitate to ask questions about specific guns. You won't find anything out there that someone here--probably a lot of people here--hasn't owned.

That Schwandt Arms Daly 16 is nice but the vent rib looks way out of place.

Look around and fondle as many as possible,kinda like dating you want to test drive the blondes brunettes and the red heads and see what ya like.I find the auctions a good place to get a nice double,that and on the sale board here are better place then most dealers.
Enjoy the hunt and watch out you will not stop with 1 or 2
best,
Dave