Buying A Used Heym Double Rifle - Any Advice?

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

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

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

Respectfully, Chapuis and the Heym 89b have some pretty significant differences in quality in regards to fit and finish. Had numerous issues with friends Chapuis doubles. Enough that that gun was done for the safari. I own several London bests and have owned Merkels and Chapuis doubles, and they 89b is just flat out in a different class than the aforementioned except the London bests. 6-8k price difference is also more like a 16k difference. My 89b was 30. My chapuis from JJ was 12.5.

 

[franzfmdavis]

I would advise hiring Rookhawk as a consultant.

There are unknown unknowns;
there are known unknowns; and
there are known knowns;
…and then there is what @rookhawk knows!

Immensely much more value than the small fee he earns!!

 

[Pondoro]

I am impressed that a double in a high pressure caliber as .458Win. can be shot as much as Mark´s..and stay together..

Frankly I did not think that would be possible with any double...a statement to Heyms build quality..!

 

[MacJenkins]

I own an 88b in 375 flanged and 470 Nitro. Good guns, like the cocking indicators which I miss on the 450 Nitro 89 I own. Balance seams to be a little better in the 89b but not enough to worry about.

All the Heyms I owned except for the 375 Flanged I ordered.

Had 88b 450/400, with a claw mounted scope. Was wonderfully accurate but had long barrels and was a bit heavier than I liked. Came accorss a goergeous prewar Westly Richards that fit me perfectly so moved that one.

Had a 577 Jumbo sidelock, great gun. Just a bit heavy and seamed to move a little to slow as the barrels where quite thick at the muzzle. Maybe could use a slightly bigger action?

Had a 577 89b ordered and right before it was finished had a nice Marcel Thys 577 come up for sale and bought that. Was a perfect fit as well so never took delivery of it an Chris was able to sell it at the SCI show.

He ordered me a 89b 450 Nitro in its place and have been shooting that alot lately. One of the best shooting doubles I have ownded and will be taking it on a Buff hunt this summer. It shoots an honest 1.5" group at 50 and im getting right at 3.5" at a 100 with for shots.

I like light doubles so for me I think their 450 to 500's are the perfect weight and balance for the frames size those come on.

 

[Muskox]

I don't know how if there is any service capability at HEYM USA. They are not actually Heym, they are an agent. I told him that I had imported a Heym from Germany when I was stationed here last time and asked about getting something done to it and he gave me the stink eye.

You can always send it to Oklahoma to Champlins if it needs love.

 

[rookhawk]

I don't know how if there is any service capability at HEYM USA. They are not actually Heym, they are an agent. I told him that I had imported a Heym from Germany when I was stationed here last time and asked about getting something done to it and he gave me the stink eye.

You can always send it to Oklahoma to Champlins if it needs love.

100% of competent double rifle smiths I've met will work on Heyms and do so competently: NECG, JJ, Ken Owen, etc, etc.

 

[Daniel Cary]

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.

I thought all the 88's run on the same size frame. However, I have seen a 500 Nitro fitted on a "Jumbo" which is typically reserved for the 577, 600. Its cost used to start over $40K

 

[Daniel Cary]

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.


View attachment 621799View attachment 621800View attachment 621801

Now that's a finish!
I wish that was a standard on all Heym's ?

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

Now that's a finish!
I wish that was a standard on all Heym's ?

The receiver you mean? That’s case colour hardening. You have an option for that finish on any double rifle you have made. Ones without it just have that finish brushed off, but all receivers are hardened in that same fashion. A brushed receiver will still have some case colour remaining in places you won’t see, such as inner parts and the inner metal on the forend.

 

[Daniel Cary]

The receiver you mean? That’s case colour hardening. You have an option for that finish on any double rifle you have made. Ones without it just have that finish brushed off, but all receivers are hardened in that same fashion. A brushed receiver will still have some case colour remaining in places you won’t see, such as inner parts and the inner metal on the forend.

I'm sorry, unless it's the photo .. referring to their "London's Best" (if that's what it is). A sheen, satin-gloss finish perhaps.

outstanding, imo.

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

I'm sorry, unless it's the photo .. referring to their "London's Best" (if that's what it is). A sheen, satin-gloss finish perhaps.

outstanding, imo.

You’re referring to the stock finish or the finish of the receiver metal? Either way, there’s no London best anything in those photos. And that’s not throwing any shade at Heym’s rifles. I own an 89b just like that. They’re very nice working rifles, but no London best, which I also own several of. But for entry level double rifles, Heym really is the only logical choice.

 

[rookhawk]

You’re referring to the stock finish or the finish of the receiver metal? Either way, there’s no London best anything in those photos. And that’s not throwing any shade at Heym’s rifles. I own an 89b just like that. They’re very nice working rifles, but no London best, which I also own several of. But for entry level double rifles, Heym really is the only logical choice.

If Heym “entry level” = the least you can spend and be wholly satisfied I’ll agree with you.

 

[Daniel Cary]

You’re referring to the stock finish or the finish of the receiver metal? Either way, there’s no London best anything in those photos. And that’s not throwing any shade at Heym’s rifles. I own an 89b just like that. They’re very nice working rifles, but no London best, which I also own several of. But for entry level double rifles, Heym really is the only logical choice.

It's an upgrade, offer with Heym.
Members here have ordered 89's with the finish. Doubtfully acrylic, but it's a sheen. 89 owners would know more.

with & without ..

 

[Daniel Cary]

 

[Daniel Cary]

I believe it's called London's Best, London's Finish, Gloss, ? on the spec'd build sheet.

@Kevin Peacocke, etc would know.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The top picture is pretty typical of Heym's standard finish, sort of matte and I rather like it.
The bottom picture is after some further oil rubbing, beyond the standard for sure but I wouldn't call that London Best.

 

[ftrovato]

I don't know how if there is any service capability at HEYM USA. They are not actually Heym, they are an agent. I told him that I had imported a Heym from Germany when I was stationed here last time and asked about getting something done to it and he gave me the stink eye.

You can always send it to Oklahoma to Champlins if it needs love.

And a poor agent at that....Nothing more than sales....

 

[rookhawk]

The top picture is pretty typical of Heym's standard finish, sort of matte and I rather like it.
The bottom picture is after some further oil rubbing, beyond the standard for sure but I wouldn't call that London Best.

In prior times, I’ve had 88B best guns that had what I call “Italy’s worst” rather than London’s best finish. I immediately removed the pimp finish and put a London slacum and oil finish on them.

I now have an 88b deluxe (a mid grade gun) and it has a very mediocre matte finish. I’m going to build that one up to a London satin.

If you can use your gun stock as a signal mirror to call for help, it’s not a London finish.

 

[Muskox]

In prior times, I’ve had 88B best guns that had what I call “Italy’s worst” rather than London’s best finish. I immediately removed the pimp finish and put a London slacum and oil finish on them.

I now have an 88b deluxe (a mid grade gun) and it has a very mediocre matte finish. I’m going to build that one up to a London satin.

If you can use your gun stock as a signal mirror to call for help, it’s not a London finish.

Red alkanet?