Looking to buy double riffle

How much do you want to spend? New or used?
 
Highly recommend Heym - and you can find a few used ones on the internet. What do you plan to hunt?
 
having just went threw buying two used doubles and had nothing but trouble with both of them. i STRONGLY recommend you buy a new double with a warranty. spending $10k+ on a rifle only to find out a week later that it has serious chamber issues will put a serious damper on your parade. especially if you cant return the gun and its warranty is expired.

-matt
 
+1 for the Heym, of course I'm partial. You can get a new Searcy for less than 10K. Matt is correct. If you buy used, you want to make SURE you have recourse. In the case of Searcy, you probably would.
 
having just went threw buying two used doubles and had nothing but trouble with both of them. i STRONGLY recommend you buy a new double with a warranty. spending $10k+ on a rifle only to find out a week later that it has serious chamber issues will put a serious damper on your parade. especially if you cant return the gun and its warranty is expired.

-matt

Matt,

Did you have chamber issues with the Searcy? I saw the stock issue, but missed the chamber issue? Or maybe that issue was the sabatti?
 
Whatever you do don't buy a Sabatti !
 
Matt,

Did you have chamber issues with the Searcy? I saw the stock issue, but missed the chamber issue? Or maybe that issue was the sabatti?

i havent discussed the other issues on this forum just yet, but in short it does have some rather serious issues. im giving Mr. Searcy a chance to look over the gun and tell me what he thinks before i go into detail on the issues. the rifle is currently with Mr. Searcy so hopefully some time in the near future he will let me know whats going to happen.

but i strongly recommend that you buy a new rifle with a warranty! ive lost a couple of nights sleep and probably 1/8 of an inch of hair line dealing with used doubles, its just not worth it.

-matt
 
Sorry Matt.... :(
 
damn..haven't shot my searcy yet.Just got it last week and I hope like hell I have no issues. I'd be VERY interested to know what issues you have/had with it.
 
I know butch will make it good. I know how frustrating it is to wait so long, buy something expensive, only to have something wrong with it. When it comes back, it will be good as new, as will the smile on your face.
 
Thanks for the input...We are looking at Verney-Carron now as well as gathering data on other doubles for our staff and clients...


Very Respectfully,
Michael and Sandi Webb
 
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Buying used doubles - rifles or shotguns - can be a hugely expensive education. I am fortunate to own a number, but getting there was 40 years of hard-earned and often very frustrating experience. I would guess of all the used or vintage doubles I handle in a given year - several dozen - at least 60-70% have some issue which will cost serious investment to correct. Barrels off face or out of proof; barrels re-chambered to another bullet or cartridge length; amateur "repairs" to actions, ejectors, or worst of all triggers, barrels re-soddered but not regulated, etc, etc, etc. If you are new to these guns and rifles, the cheapest investment you can make is in a buying service. http://www.vintageguns.co.uk/company/diggory-hadoke Colleagues have used Dig's services with great success. At least buy with an inspection period and have it looked over closely by a gun maker who really knows sxs's.
 
Thanks for the input...We are looking at Verney-Carron now as well as gathering data on other doubles for our staff and clients...


Very Respectfully,
Michael and Sandi Webb

www.champlinarms.com has a Chapuis SxS 450/400 and one in .470, both new for around $11,000.US.
They also have two used Heym SxS rifles, one in 450/400 and one in .500 NE for several thousand more dollars each.
Champlin is next door to you in Oklahoma.
Most folks selling high dollar firearms offer a 3 day/non firing inspection window of refusal/refund your money type agreement.
Any $10,000. plus rifle is worth having a gunsmith who knows doubles inspect it prior to deciding to keep same.
 
Buying used doubles - rifles or shotguns - can be a hugely expensive education. I am fortunate to own a number, but getting there was 40 years of hard-earned and often very frustrating experience. I would guess of all the used or vintage doubles I handle in a given year - several dozen - at least 60-70% have some issue which will cost serious investment to correct. Barrels off face or out of proof; barrels re-chambered to another bullet or cartridge length; amateur "repairs" to actions, ejectors, or worst of all triggers, barrels re-soddered but not regulated, etc, etc, etc. If you are new to these guns and rifles, the cheapest investment you can make is in a buying service. http://www.vintageguns.co.uk/company/diggory-hadoke Colleagues have used Dig's services with great success. At least buy with an inspection period and have it looked over closely by a gun maker who really knows sxs's.

+1 for sure.
 
Take a look at Chapuis and heym and like others have said pay the small fee to have it inspected if your now comfortable with it. Champlin is great I would recommend calling them with any questions. My first double I went cheap hated it and had problems. I should have returned it right away instead sold it and lost money. Second one I still have a Chapuis 470 nitro I love that gun. It has been with me to zim. And Mozambique. My only compliant which is not that bad is it does not have a hinged from trigger and I have hit my knuckle a few times. If it was anything under a 470 I don't think it a problem if you are going bigger then I would recommend a hinged trigger. Other than that I have had no problem the gun is great shoot great with both woodleigh and hornady bullets. My next double is in the works. A heym built with the options I want in a double. I don't have near the experience of some of these guys but this is what I have. I have shot other name brands. And own a double rifle for a few years now. From what I have handled and can afford Chapuis and Heym get my vote.
 
+1 on a hinged trigger!

my 500/416 NE doesnt have a hinged trigger and if my hands are really sweaty it will slip a little and bite my trigger finger (it doesnt really hurt but it bleeds alot). im going to try and ask Mr. Searcy to install a hinged trigger but if thats not possible im going to have to wrap my finger durring my safari.

-matt
 

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