Do German's just do it best?

[VertigoBE]

Your post reminded me of this ad for Aston Martin pre-owned…

View attachment 639416

Ah, from the time when advertisement was still interesting.

 

[Foxi]

With respect to production rifles, I think that may be true with a couple of exceptions. One area that does separate US gunmaking, and frankly has for a while, is the quality of true bespoke custom rifles. A rifle custom built for a customer by Craig Libhart, Todd Ramirez, Bailey Bradshaw, and number of other incredible craftsmen continues a tradition of American bespoke firearms that are as elegant and effective as anything created in London or on the Continent.

Red Leg,
Customs rifles don't count, because you can find a specialist almost anywhere.
But German gunsmithing has been around since the early 15th century.
You do an
Apprenticeship of three years
4-5 years as a journeyman
then master craftsman.
(no idea so Google made the right translation
In America and many other countries, anyone who tinkers with the stock can officially call themselves a gunsmith.
This is not possible here, and so many companies have emerged over the centuries to cover the market on a large scale.
In Suhl there were already master gunsmiths (craft guild) before your country was even discovered.
Foxi


p.s. nobody shoots Falling block here.

 

[BeeMaa]

Obviously, I agree because all my rifles are Blaser.

Turn-key reliability and accuracy are only a click away from your local dealer.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree. But small scale American custom builders (such as Joe Smithson, John Boliger, Ryan Breeding or Reto Buehller) match them pretty evenly in terms of custom bolt action rifles.

The one place where nobody can match the Germans, is in building a first class double rifle which won’t break your bank like an English made double rifle will. And as an added bonus, German double rifle makers happily provide warranties for their rifles to be used with monolithic bullets. Something most British gun makers still hesitate to do today (barring Holland & Holland who switched their policy after Beretta bought them in 2021).

 

[HankBuck]

Mauser... Heym... Krieghoff... Merkel... Blaser... Sauer etc.

When it comes to fine hunting rifles, especially big bore DG ready rifles, do the Germans just do it best?

It really seems like the German's dominate the market for high-end, yet attainable firearms that don't require a second mortgage like their British counterparts.

Thoughts?

@Northern Shooter - I am Not a gun maker and Not a gun smith so take my opinion for what it’s worth (not much)…. I think the Italians & French (Beretta, Chapuis) make the best looking rifles and by far the best combination of “Form & Function” plus reasonable price. The German rifles are certainly mechanically excellent & efficient, very well made, perform as intended, and provide decades of flawless service — like most Military equipment ! Now remember I don’t know much about gun manufacturers and my opinion is similar to a preference for “Hot looking Italian & French Girls” vs and very smart and strong German gal !!

 

[mark-hunter]

Mauser... Heym... Krieghoff... Merkel... Blaser... Sauer etc.

When it comes to fine hunting rifles, especially big bore DG ready rifles, do the Germans just do it best?

It really seems like the German's dominate the market for high-end, yet attainable firearms that don't require a second mortgage like their British counterparts.

Thoughts?

There is old saying.
German rifle,
Italian shotgun,
American revolver.
I think, those who stick to it, can not do wrong.

We are not discussing accuracy. Every budget rifle today, is accurate.

But overall fit, finish, bells, whistles, look, appeal, mechanics, qualoty, draws me back to German rifles, or at least Finish or Austrian. Basically, European.

 

[Field28]

When it comes to function and accuracy, some Finns may beg to differ.