Your favorite new production double rifle manufacturer?

[IvW]

From a practical and reliabilty point of view Heym, Merkel sidelock O/U or Antonio Zoli O/U...

I use to think foolishly that VC where good but I wont touch one now

 

[Daniel Cary]

Best value: a Chapuis (I have one) or a Heym. I like the look and handling of the Chapuis. Although I have to confess that the VC round body double is really beautiful.
If money is no object, you could close your eyes and pick from Holland & Holland, Purdey, Westley Richards or the Rigby Rising Bite.

Idk, .. I don't think it would be a double, however, for the sake of $270,000. https://www.gunsinternational.com/g...y-side-double-rifle.cfm?gun_id=101572421#lg-1

 

[Daniel Cary]

The 470 is a round body and the 600 full frameView attachment 462309

That 470, btw, Unreal.

 

[Daniel Cary]

From a practical and reliabilty point of view Heym, Merkel sidelock O/U or Antonio Zoli O/U...

I use to think foolishly that VC where good but I wont touch one now

I agree, foolishly I don't want to touch the thing either, without gloves ;

 

[DEFYET]

From a practical and reliabilty point of view Heym, Merkel sidelock O/U or Antonio Zoli O/U...

I use to think foolishly that VC where good but I wont touch one now

Why won't you touch a VC?

 

[IvW]

Why won't you touch a VC?

Way too many issues on the inside....

 

[degoins]

Like what?

 

[saswart]

Way too many issues on the inside....

From a practical and reliabilty point of view Heym, Merkel sidelock O/U or Antonio Zoli O/U...

I use to think foolishly that VC where good but I wont touch one now

Interesting observation... and here I was, thinking foolishly VC were good, especially since Rigby poached Jerome from them...

 

[IvW]

Do some homework on function and issuesand you will come across chamber dimension issues, case seperations due to chamber issues, regulation issues, discharge while closing the action...etc.
It can be as beautiful and dolled up on the outside as it may but the inside function and reliabilty is the important part. It needs to be 100% reliable.
Yes I know Jerome great guy I actually had my measurements taken in preperation of ordering a double while he was still there...glad I did not.
I am now in the same process with a German manufacturer...

 

[Daniel Cary]

I've never thought of VC as "dolled up". They just have a distinctive Style ..
There's B-Dazzled Heym's out their just as well. to each their own.
From L'Atelier in Saint-Étienne. "Enquired new, last year"

 

[IvW]

Yes of course to each there own...I prefer reliability in a working mans gun

 

[Daniel Cary]

Photos are always cool.
Back to the OP:

Merkel: Couldn't find one spec'd. Merkel/Steyr.
Addl: An S2
Went with "Krieghoff": The members here were really pivotal in the decision, good customer service &

a perfect fit.

I don't know of anything that's 100%
Thank You AH.

 

[degoins]

I did see a picture of a highly regarded brand blown in two on here and know of one of that same brand that had to be sent back because the chambers were so off that it would not come close to chambering the factory brand that it was supposed to have been regulated with or any other factory ammo in that caliber.
I also owned one of a highly regarded brand that several well known TV PHs own or have owned that had to be sent back because it started shooting about 7 inches wide and about same distance low after less than 50 rounds.
So yeah, any brand can and will have issues from time to time......even the big money old British makers.

 

[spike.t]

I've never thought of VC as "dolled up". They just have a distinctive Style ..
There's B-Dazzled Heym's out their just as well. to each their own.
From L'Atelier in Saint-Étienne. "Enquired new, last year"
View attachment 463622

Enquired new....

 

[Daniel Cary]

Enquired new....

Yes sir, Spike.t .. I can't find the email for the 577 above from Guillaume, but they did have one @ the time.
I thought price + import, shipping, insurance. out of my league
2 Photos saved however!

 

[Daniel Cary]

I found it. Oct. 2021
"Regarding the price, such a Rifle usually go for approx. 35 000€ to be confirmed with the import, custom , insurance costs etc…to be delivered in USA."

 

[Daniel Cary]

Dec 2020. I had enquired availability of anything in .500
"Both are Azur Safari Imperial and are retailed for 21 to 25K€."

 

[spike.t]

Yes sir, Spike.t .. I can't find the email for the 577 above from Guillaume, but they did have one @ the time.
I thought price + import, shipping, insurance. out of my league
2 Photos saved however! View attachment 463650

OK didn't understand what you were meaning...

 

[degoins]

man that thing is flat out gorgeous!!! I wonder if they'd take a kidney as payment........

 

[Daniel Cary]

God, no doubt ..
In 2020, Heym had a beautiful 89B .500 being finished of in the shop not spoken for. I refrain from pic's as I believe a member here took delivery on it. Ken also had .500 on discount from an SCI display. Both identical in price ..