First Double Krieghoff vs Chapuis

[Ruraldoc]

I will probably only hunt one elephant in my life, but hopefully many more buffalo as well as a least one hippo on land.

 

[Daniel Cary]

View attachment 570061

That's a nice example, in picture.
You can call Krieghoff USA with serial # & they will tell you yr built, upgrades, & price paid.

Appears some upgrades going on

 

[Ruraldoc]

I am going with a friend tomorrow to shoot his Heym 470. Just to see if I can handle 470 recoil.

 

[Ruraldoc]

Shot the Heym 470 off sticks at 50 yards with the express sights. Shot a 2 shot one inch group. No more recoil than my 416 Model 70. More than my 375 Model 70 for sure.

 

[Inline6]

Shot the Heym 470 off sticks at 50 yards with the express sights. Shot a 2 shot one inch group. No more recoil than my 416 Model 70. More than my 375 Model 70 for sure. View attachment 570341

That was my thoughts the first time I shot a 470NE.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Buy the Heym !!!

 

[HankBuck]

I am going with a friend tomorrow to shoot his Heym 470. Just to see if I can handle 470 recoil.

I’ve shot both the Chapuis & Kreigoff in .470 NE and liked the Chapuis considerably more - so I bought one. Recoil was similar in both but the balance and “feel” of the Chapuis was better for me, the gun shouldered as quickly as a side x side shotgun, pointed nicely and very accurate with the open sights out to 50 & 100 yrds. I found the Kreigoff functional but “clunky” and especially disliked the Safety - extremely hard to push it into the “fire” position because doing so is actually cocking the firing pins. While Kreigoff designed this is as an extra safety feature it is much slower then pushing off a normal top tang Safety and a reason given by some PH that they would Not want a Kreigoff in a DG “charge situation” (my PH and another in camp were Not Kreigoff fans because of this).
I don’t have any experience stopping a charge but didn’t understand why Kreigoff felt the need to design a “unique” safety feature never needed or used by other well established gun makers. However, I understand that they are mechanically sound and functional double rifles and priced similar to Chapuis (low to mid range price range) they are certainly a quality double rifle. Regarding caliber - I thought .470 NE the right choice - for Me and my first Double Rifle ...big enough, not brutal recoil, easily available ammo.
I’m sure either will get the job done and see what one feels best for you

 

[Altitude sickness]

HankBuck, I’m glad we all have choices and that we don’t all like the same things and options. It would be boring.

I consider myself fortunate that I’m in the minority and actually like the Krieghoff and Blaser S-2 cocker/safety. That they are not highly sought after models, thus driving the prices above MSRP.

But for comparison sake. I wondered what if my thumb is injured and rendered out of service. I found it easy and fast to cock my Krieghoff with the heel of my hand. Just as I used to practice off hand pistol drills. Or racking a slide against an object.

Easy peasey

Now if someone would just get rid of their hideous S2

 

[HankBuck]

HankBuck, I’m glad we all have choices and that we don’t all like the same things and options. It would be boring.

I consider myself fortunate that I’m in the minority and actually like the Krieghoff and Blaser S-2 cocker/safety. That they are not highly sought after models, thus driving the prices above MSRP.

But for comparison sake. I wondered what if my thumb is injured and rendered out of service. I found it easy and fast to cock my Krieghoff with the heel of my hand. Just as I used to practice off hand pistol drills. Or racking a slide against an object.

Easy peasey

Now if someone would just get rid of their hideous S2

Yes agree it’s good to pay a price based on quality and not based on trend or popularity.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Heck, look at my dog. It’s obvious I don’t go by looks alone :>))))

 

[Ruraldoc]

I would buy my Friend’s Heym. He just bought it last week and it’s not for sale.

Yesterday is the first time he shot it. Shot as well for him as for me.

 

[Doubleplay]

Don't forget to take a look at the Merkel as well.
IMHO they are better built than a Chapuis.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Yes, you were clear in your earlier post that you were shooting your friends Heym. I was adding a lame joke to reinforce what a shooter that Heym is.

 

[HankBuck]

Don't forget to take a look at the Merkel as well.
IMHO they are better built than a Chapuis.

Doubleplay, I’m interested in why you think that? I own a Chapuis double .470NE and looked at Merkel (even got to shoot one) before I made my purchase decision. They were less expensive (in 2006) then both Chapuis & Kreigoff and while I didn’t find anything wrong with them - no one I spoke to rated them above the Chapuis or Kreigoff. However, for the lower price they seemed a decent value.

 

[Doubleplay]

Doubleplay, I’m interested in why you think that? I own a Chapuis double .470NE and looked at Merkel (even got to shoot one) before I made my purchase decision. They were less expensive (in 2006) then both Chapuis & Kreigoff and while I didn’t find anything wrong with them - no one I spoke to rated them above the Chapuis or Kreigoff. However, for the lower price they seemed a decent value.

Don't get me wrong. They are both good entry level doubles.
However as someone who handled both and owner of a Merkel I think Merkel has the edge for having a sturdier mechanism and I believe in German engineering.

 

[HankBuck]

Don't get me wrong. They are both good entry level doubles.
However as someone who handled both and owner of a Merkel I think Merkel has the edge for having a sturdier mechanism and I believe in German engineering.

Double play it looks like we both like our Doubles and with the money saved purchasing a Merkle you can cover a few more trophy fees on your next Safari. I’m Not a gunsmith so can’t add any insight on the “sturdier mechanism” opinion you have - however since both handle the .470NE just how-much-stronger is really an advantage? My F150 can tow more then any Ferrari and is better off road —- but does that make it better? Anyway, other then accuracy issues, I’ve never heard any complaints about Merkle and certainly none related to their sturdiness. Agree German made items are known for sturdiness - like comparing their weightlifting Team to a our Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models

 

[AZDAVE]

I own both a Chapuis (9.3x74) and Krieghoff (500/416) and they are my two favorite rifles that I own.
I would suggest that you pick the 470 in which ever one fits you best and just feel right. they both make fine doubles. Some folks don't like the saftey/cocker on the Kgun but to me it is just understanding the manual of arms for each, just requires some dedicated practice by the shooter.

Since everyone is rating things here is my list for double under 25K (The space in the lines are put their deliberately to show my ranking highest to lowest)

Heym
VC
Krieghoff
Chapuis.
Good classic british double by one of the good builder but not the (H&H Wesley Richards, Rigby bespoke London firms)

Merkel Rizzini Zoli Searcy


Sabatti
Bakail

I have owned or shot all of the above (at least a hundred round in each)

Everyone has their own way of looking at things., the above is my opinion.

 

[HankBuck]

I own both a Chapuis (9.3x74) and Krieghoff (500/416) and they are my two favorite rifles that I own.
I would suggest that you pick the 470 in which ever one fits you best and just feel right. they both make fine doubles. Some folks don't like the saftey/cocker on the Kgun but to me it is just understanding the manual of arms for each, just requires some dedicated practice by the shooter.

Since everyone is rating things here is my list for double under 25K (The space in the lines are put their deliberately to show my ranking highest to lowest)

Heym
VC
Krieghoff
Chapuis.
Good classic british double by one of the good builder but not the (H&H Wesley Richards, Rigby bespoke London firms)

Merkel Rizzini Zoli Searcy


Sabatti
Bakail

I have owned or shot all of the above (at least a hundred round in each)

Everyone has their own way of looking at things., the above is my opinion.

Good list and agree with ranking - I also liked the Kreigoff quality but Not their “safety” (also thought ugly) so went with the Chapuis. I really wanted a Heym but couldn’t afford, as well as an H&H but couldn’t even “pretend” to be able to afford that “used”.

 

[IvW]

Does Krieghoff still offer the IES system, rather a brilliant idea.....

 

[Sideshow]

Looks like my budget will only stretch to a Chapuis. But ive got time so maybe something will turn up. Well see