Safari Rifle Market-Have we reached the point of no return on cost?

[Jefferry404]

For me, I try to get the high-end components (GMA, Prechtl, Satterlee,Dakota actions, integral barrels, $1000-$1500 stock blanks, etc) thinking that there is some recognized value. I would think that chambering a barrel by Rigby the same as by Matrix, or bluing, or sight work, or stock work, etc. So not sure how a Rigby or WR bolt rifles command such prices, abeit old and venerated names.

 

[Rare Breed]

For me, I try to get the high-end components (GMA, Prechtl, Satterlee,Dakota actions, integral barrels, $1000-$1500 stock blanks, etc) thinking that there is some recognized value. I would think that chambering a barrel by Rigby the same as by Matrix, or bluing, or sight work, or stock work, etc. So not sure how a Rigby or WR bolt rifles command such prices, abeit old and venerated names.

Using an accounting term on their balance sheets nothing but “Good Will” better known as the power of a brand and really little else. But that term has to be earned and the big names have done just that with reliability and high performance producing customer trust and satisfaction. A no name anything no matter how beautiful it might be just has none of that and thus their pricing

 

[RETD16]

I’m having a hell of a time trying to find a LH magazine in 375 H&H that’s under $10K. LH safari rifles are very difficult to find!!!

 

[rookhawk]

I’m having a hell of a time trying to find a LH magazine in 375 H&H that’s under $10K. LH safari rifles are very difficult to find!!!

When you find a LH anything, offering 1/3rd fair value, you are the only interested party they've ever received. I have a certain hatred for lefties (no disrespect intended) because the supply far outstrips demand. Lefty guns have zero collector value. Lefty guns are prolific. Lefties only buy based upon utility and therefore are not prone to overpay for quality and rarity.

The math: 11% of people are lefty. 5% of people are Lefties that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks. Roughly 2-3% of people are lefties that want all things lefty.

Now from that 2-3% group, how many are collectors and investors? 1:100?

If I was a lefty, the world would be my oyster. The amount of luxury left handed weapons sold for a pittance after languishing on the market for a decade is sizable. If you only buy guns over $5000, you're in rare air, probably buying $25k weapons for 20% of true value due to the rarity of the customer.

 

[zephyr]

When you find a LH anything, offering 1/3rd fair value, you are the only interested party they've ever received. I have a certain hatred for lefties (no disrespect intended) because the supply far outstrips demand. Lefty guns have zero collector value. Lefty guns are prolific. Lefties only buy based upon utility and therefore are not prone to overpay for quality and rarity.

The math: 11% of people are lefty. 5% of people are Lefties that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks. Roughly 2-3% of people are lefties that want all things lefty.

Now from that 2-3% group, how many are collectors and investors? 1:100?

If I was a lefty, the world would be my oyster. The amount of luxury left handed weapons sold for a pittance after languishing on the market for a decade is sizable. If you only buy guns over $5000, you're in rare air, probably buying $25k weapons for 20% of true value due to the rarity of the customer.

I am Right handed but left eye dominant shoot but in your 5% that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks.....
My custom 505 Gibbs built for me on a right handed GMA Action has 3/8" cast "ON"

 

[Rare Breed]

When you find a LH anything, offering 1/3rd fair value, you are the only interested party they've ever received. I have a certain hatred for lefties (no disrespect intended) because the supply far outstrips demand. Lefty guns have zero collector value. Lefty guns are prolific. Lefties only buy based upon utility and therefore are not prone to overpay for quality and rarity.

The math: 11% of people are lefty. 5% of people are Lefties that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks. Roughly 2-3% of people are lefties that want all things lefty.

Now from that 2-3% group, how many are collectors and investors? 1:100?

If I was a lefty, the world would be my oyster. The amount of luxury left handed weapons sold for a pittance after languishing on the market for a decade is sizable. If you only buy guns over $5000, you're in rare air, probably buying $25k weapons for 20% of true value due to the rarity of the customer.

My son is left handed and shoots that way and I have found the following for him:
1. There are many choices in nice mid tier pricing for him at great pricing to @rook hawks point.
2. What I have seen though maybe contrary to his point is the Rigbys, Heyms, Westley Richards have in no way fallen into that trap…you most likely will have to custom order a left hand model with these brands

 

[Rimbaud]

My son is left handed and shoots that way and I have found the following for him:
1. There are many choices in nice mid tier pricing for him at great pricing to @rook hawks point.
2. What I have seen though maybe contrary to his point is the Rigbys, Heyms, Westley Richards have in no way fallen into that trap…you most likely will have to custom order a left hand model with these brands

I’m a LH shooter. I can never find high-end rifles. I’d love a Fanzoj kiplauff, but prices start at €50,000, which strikes me as Saudi sheikh silliness. Many thanks for any suggestions on where to look.

 

[DaddyFlip]

I’m a LH shooter. I can never find high-end rifles. I’d love a Fanzoj kiplauff, but prices start at €50,000, which strikes me as Saudi sheikh silliness. Many thanks for any suggestions on where to look.

Left hand Dakota 76 .416 Rigby, 4+1, express, banded​

On Gunbroker right now. Of course, high end to one person may be ho-hum to the next.

 

[DaddyFlip]

As far as I can tell, the cost of high quality has gone up significantly in the last 15 years, definitely higher than the rate of inflation. I worked for the Blaser Group some years back and the Rigby "Big Games" at that point were selling for 10-12k, now they are 15-20k. I could be way off base,...but its a great discussion and i really enjoy the input form you fellas on here.

Before my first trip to Africa in 2014 I bought a Winchester M70 Safari Express for $1200 brand new. And a Ruger Guide Gun for $850.

Here in 2025 I bought a Winchester M70 Safari Express in 416Rem for $1900 brand new; that's a 60% price increase in 11 years. The cost of everyday quality has risen at the same rate as high quality. Also, I paid MSRP+$20 just a few months after several AH'ers were complaining you couldn't find one at all; and if you did, it was marked up as high as three grand.

Sidebar: From the same seller, I could have paid 7x for a ParkWest Dark Continent in 404J. Sexier? Yes. Worth it? Not to me because it's still a bolt gun. The top of GI Page 1 is still just bolt guns. For 7x, I want a double, but that doesn't get you much double. You can't buy a double sight unseen like you can everything else. The whole reason I bought the M70 was because I found out the hard way...

 

[Northern Shooter]

I paid the following for my Dangerous Game rifles:

1. CZ550 375 - $2,100
2. Model 70 458 - $2,350
3. CZ550 416 (with scope) - $4,750
4. Merkel 160 470 - $15,000

 

[RETD16]

When you find a LH anything, offering 1/3rd fair value, you are the only interested party they've ever received. I have a certain hatred for lefties (no disrespect intended) because the supply far outstrips demand. Lefty guns have zero collector value. Lefty guns are prolific. Lefties only buy based upon utility and therefore are not prone to overpay for quality and rarity.

The math: 11% of people are lefty. 5% of people are Lefties that shoot left handed, but may prefer right hand bolts with left hand stocks. Roughly 2-3% of people are lefties that want all things lefty.

Now from that 2-3% group, how many are collectors and investors? 1:100?

If I was a lefty, the world would be my oyster. The amount of luxury left handed weapons sold for a pittance after languishing on the market for a decade is sizable. If you only buy guns over $5000, you're in rare air, probably buying $25k weapons for 20% of true value due to the rarity of

As someone who is constantly looking for LH rifles on any format that I can find, I would respectfully disagree with you. Demand is high for LH rifles, and supply is pretty low. I look at this forum (of course), Cabela’s, GB, Guns.com, and Guns International multiple times a week. No joy!!! I lucked out when I found my Dakota Model 76 Traveler Safari in .416 Rem Mag a few years ago. I just happened to stumble across it at the Cabela’s in Glendale, AZ. Paid $5200…

Any hunting rifle for me must be LH. Otherwise it’s useless to me. As a collector, obviously I’m not going to find a Winchester 1886, 1866, or 1873 in LH. But those rifles are for my collection, they will never be used for hunting!!!