Buying A Used Heym Double Rifle - Any Advice?

[UpNorthMI]

OK I've decided to buy a used Heym double rifle but now realize I know nothing about them other than they seem to have a good reputation and are recommended by many users on this forum. I see from the Heym website that the 88B models have been around for over 35 years (the 1980"s) and the more recent model is the 89B.

Do all of the 88B models have the same features, are the early models the same as the current models, are they all equal, should I be concerned about buying a 1980's gun compared to a 2010 gun? Are there any specifics that should be avoided?

I'm getting the feeling that I am going to have to be a little more open to different calibers as there are not many used guns being offered for sale at the moment. I see that the 450/400 3" NE and the .450 3-1/4" NE both come on the same frame sizes of PH/Safari but a .470 NE is offered on the PH/Safari and the Large frame. Which frame size works best for a .470?

I'm looking to get some double experience under my belt, if I like it I may consider placing an order for a new one at some point and getting exactly what I want and to get it fitted. I don't have the patience or the knowledge to know what I like at the moment and I'm not waiting several years for my first large double rifle.

I look forward to those that have a lot more knowledge sharing a little bit of their expertise with me. If you have a used Heym in 450/400 3" NE, .450 3-1/4" NE or .470 NE you are thinking of selling feel free to PM me.

 

[AimSmall]

Be aware that your wife will find out!

 

[Tanks]

As far as I know, the difference between 88B and 89B are cosmetic with the 89B emulating the British lines of the stock. I have a pair of 88Bs and have been very happy with them.

 

[UpNorthMI]

As far as I know, the difference between 88B and 89B are cosmetic with the 89B emulating the British lines of the stock. I have a pair of 88Bs and have been very happy with them.

I'm sure it will be an 88B that I will end up buying as it seems they are much more available due to the number of guns sold compared with the newer 89B. If I was ordering a new one I would go with an 88B. Thanks for your comment.

 

[Canadaboy]

I’ve never heard of any particular problems with any of the Heym doubles. Mine is an 88B sidelock, the sidelock were discontinued at some point and seem rare enough that the auction house incorrectly assumed it was a sideplated boxlock. As long as the stock dimensions are right for you any Heym double in good condition should be a pretty safe bet.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I'm sure it will be an 88B that I will end up buying as it seems they are much more available due to the number of guns sold compared with the newer 89B. If I was ordering a new one I would go with an 88B. Thanks for your comment.

I meant to say that I would buy an 89B !

 

[UpNorthMI]

Be aware that your wife will find out!

I may have to buy 2 and tell the wife that one of them is for her LOL.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I don't think you can go wrong with either. From a pure engineering physics point of view the 89b action would be a little stronger than 88b because of the longer water table. There again the shape of the stock of the 88b mating into the rear of the action probably makes it a bit stronger at that point than the straight mating of the 89b. The 88b has an excellent reputation over it's long life, as does the 89b so far.

 

[Rare Breed]

OK I've decided to buy a used Heym double rifle but now realize I know nothing about them other than they seem to have a good reputation and are recommended by many users on this forum. I see from the Heym website that the 88B models have been around for over 35 years (the 1980"s) and the more recent model is the 89B.

Do all of the 88B models have the same features, are the early models the same as the current models, are they all equal, should I be concerned about buying a 1980's gun compared to a 2010 gun? Are there any specifics that should be avoided?

I'm getting the feeling that I am going to have to be a little more open to different calibers as there are not many used guns being offered for sale at the moment. I see that the 450/400 3" NE and the .450 3-1/4" NE both come on the same frame sizes of PH/Safari but a .470 NE is offered on the PH/Safari and the Large frame. Which frame size works best for a .470?

I'm looking to get some double experience under my belt, if I like it I may consider placing an order for a new one at some point and getting exactly what I want and to get it fitted. I don't have the patience or the knowledge to know what I like at the moment and I'm not waiting several years for my first large double rifle.

I look forward to those that have a lot more knowledge sharing a little bit of their expertise with me. If you have a used Heym in 450/400 3" NE, .450 3-1/4" NE or .470 NE you are thinking of selling feel free to PM me.

Just food for thought. First excited for you getting into DRs…you will love the experience! Second it seems you are looking for a quality starting DR to see how you like it before you buy your own custom fit DR? If it was me given I have owned 7 DRs and have stuck with my forever Rigby in 470 NE I recommend looking at Champlin in Enid, OK for a new Chapuis 450-400 or 470 to start. Great gun and they will cut stick to your specific LOP. $12,000-$14,000 brand new. THEN move to a higher price Heym if you desire. Just myself after owning them all I have not found any quality difference between Chapuis and Heym but $6 to $8k in price due to name brand. Both great rifles that will not disappoint. If you buy a new Heym you will pay top dollar with a 2-3 year wait

 

[Tanks]

… Just myself after owning them all I have not found any quality difference between Chapuis and Heym but $6 to $8k in price due to name brand. Both great rifles that will not disappoint. If you buy a new Heym you will pay top dollar with a 2-3 year wait

Do Chapuis doubles have intercepting sears like Heyms do?

 

[Rare Breed]

To my knowledge they do not

 

[Rare Breed]

I just struggle to pay the extra $6 to $8k for a Heym love them but money matters to me…if money is no problem then buy the Heym that to the OPs statement “might not fit him”, big mistake getting started with DRs…it seemed the OP was not looking for his “final” rifle but one to get him started which if he is on a budget the better starter in my opinion is the Chapuis and a new one not a used one can be cut to your LOP

 

[godwincp]

Whatever you choose, and you will be very happy with the Chapuis, have it vetted by JJ . Then you know exactly what you’re getting

 

[JD Noblin]

Do Chapuis doubles have intercepting sears like Heyms do?

Excellent question. For any double that is 400 and up I personally would never buy it without intercepting sears. I once had a Rizzini 500 Nitro Express double on me several times and that moved me to purchase a Heym 500NE....been super happy ever since. The more I hunt buff, hippo, etc with my Heym double the more I love the experience of it.

 

[The Engineer]

I have both 88Bs and a 89B. Visually the 88B and 89B major differences are obvious and have already been described. On not as obvious difference is the metal on the 88Bs that is "removed" to obtain the square box receiver on the 89B contained cocking indicators on the 88B. With that metal no longer being there on the 89B, the 89B does not have cocking indicators.

Everyone is different but the closer grip on the 88B has the trigger guard bashing my second finger (This is totally fixed with a little pad that installs on the back of the trigger guard that cost about $20.). The more open grip on the 89B does not allow the trigger guard to impact my second finger.

Two differences I have noted on different vintage 88Bs are associated with the sights. The late 88Bs seem to have the rib cut for installation of a red dot sight. At my age, 78; I need a red dot sight and have RMRs on my doubles. I would not let the lack of red dot provisions deter me from purchasing a rifle as JJ can cut the rib for the red dot sight for a reasonable cost. The other difference I have noted is in the number of leaves on the rear open sight. I have not been able to correlate age and the number of leaves but as I noted it is of little consequence to me as I do not use open sights.

 

[Mark A Ouellette]

It's hard to go wrong with a Heym, as long as one doesn't pay too much...

From top to bottom;

• Blaser S2 in 375 H&H
• Krieghoff Classic in 500/416
• Heym 88B in 458 Winchester, made in 1986.

My Heym is an extension of me. She points as I wish, hits center well past 100 meters, and never lets me down. Plus, I've been her caretaker for three years and fired her 500 times. Gosh knows how many rounds she has fired in her life!

 

[Tokoloshe Safaris]

As far as I know all 89bs are the same. Early 88b lacks radiused edges and rmr mounting provisrion. I do not know of different variation in the 89b. All our available with upgrades.

Either will take care of your needs forgenerations to come.

 

[JvW]

There are more than just cosmetic differences between the 88B and the 89B, as some here have mentioned. They use totally different firing pins. The mainsprings on the 89B is longer to help with better trigger pulls-this was a criticism some had against the 88B. No cocking indicators on the 89B-no big deal for me. The 89B's safety catch is shaped differently from that of the 88B. Having said this, the 88B's have an excellent reputation as well.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Do Chapuis doubles have intercepting sears like Heyms do?

And third lockup. And articulated front trigger.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

There are more than just cosmetic differences between the 88B and the 89B, as some here have mentioned. They use totally different firing pins. The mainsprings on the 89B is longer to help with better trigger pulls-this was a criticism some had against the 88B. No cocking indicators on the 89B-no big deal for me. The 89B's safety catch is shaped differently from that of the 88B. Having said this, the 88B's have an excellent reputation as well.

There is no doubt that the 89b is an improvement over the 88B. That is not to say that the 88b was inferior to start with. I have handled both, next to each other and there is a distinct different feel to the 89b, to me is balances better. So I bought one.