Hierarchy Of Double Rifles - Where does the Verney-Carron Fit In?

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

@ingwe500nitroexpress At SCI i was able to handle the 89B and it feels much better than the 88. You were correct.

I was texting with Chris during the show as I couldn’t make it. Dealing with some medical stuff with my kids, and have shifted my entire calendar year with Africa back, but Monday I’ll be calling to lock in the new .600 I’m going to have them make. Good guys on that team. Top notch service. In some instances, better than I’ve had with Holland and Purdey and Westley. Having them make me a “clone” of Sullivan and Ivan’s .577 sidelocks. Something about those sidelocks on that gross box frame speaks to me. So I’ll have the 89b in a 500 that’s my workhorse at the moment and then the brute of the .600 . Some friends of mine who run .600s talked me into it, and I’ll part with an inherited Purdey that was my grandfathers, that is basically untouched since its inception, aside from being wiped down every month since the late 50s. A 11.5lb .577 is just not manageable for me, and I’m as far from recoil sensitive as it gets. Haha. Hope you had a nice interaction with those guys at Heym. They really did a stellar job with the 89b. Couldn’t have sold me an 88 but that English 89 ticks a lot of the boxes.

 

[ingwe500nitroexpress]

What's the price difference between a 88B and 89B these days?

Was this addressed to me? If so, sorry for the delay. I didn’t see it. The 89b just got the English treatment. A bit sleeker than the 88b as the 88 is geared much more towards the European (German ) doubles. They always feel very awkward in my hands. Like the Merkels. Weirdly balanced rifles more reminiscent of a drilling if you picked one up eyes closed. Much different angles and really conceptually a lot different from each other. 89 has English “lines” and angles, a differently shaped trigger guard, a bit longer I think. Visually, the most noticeable attribute would be the square backed receiver, certainly MUCH more English in aesthetic, and for me, I can’t stand that 88b scalloped receiver. The 89b is far more pleasing to my eye. Aside from that, I haven’t priced the 88 in a long time, but I know that the 89s are starting off more expensive with the same wood and engraving options etc next to each other, the 89 is more dough. If anyone is doubting one because they didn’t like the point and the handle of the 88, go check that 89b out. If you’re willing to spend 10k more than the Krieghoff, or the Chapuis, there is (to me) no safer bet than that 89. Above the Verneys for SURE, and I’ve handles a few very nice Thys rifles, but they just don’t seem to be in the same league as the English Heym. Cheers!