B. Searcy

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Pro's? Con's? Any experiwnces? They seem to use some good barrels in their doubles but I am above my pay grade here.

 

[deewayne2003]

Well, Ummmm ….. there have been varying opinions expressed about Searcy on this forum.

Thread 'B. Searcy & Co. Double Rifle Reviews and Wisdom Needed??'

Feb 15, 2024

I have recently located a B. Searcy double that checks all boxes for me from caliber, stocking and LOP. I had the seller agree to hold it for me so that I could do some research on Searcy as they, historically over the past two years, have not been a company that I had considered prior as a possible firearm of choice. In 24 hours I am not sure that it would be possible to have reviews that are as contradictory as what I received? I had a comment that "they are one of the best doubles produced" by a very experienced Botswana elephant PH all the way to "they are more useful to use as a boat...

• Safariswestcam
• Replies: 49
• Forum: Double rifles

• 

I suggest a deep dive into the previous threads and Butch’s response to them.

 

[wesheltonj]

While quality guns, I would avoid those guns:
(1) He came on the forum and stated that he would not repair a gun he made
(2) JJ says he will not work on them
(3) When this guy dies, you will have a very difficult time getting his guns repaired.

 

[WC86]

I don’t want to spread rumors so please correct me if I’m wrong but I have read that he retired or was to do so imminently. I cannot find the thread where this was posted to quote it but I believe it was on this site

A cursory search for his website can locate his old html but clicking it takes you to an online game that clearly has nothing to do with double rifles

 

[Rare Breed]

Pro's? Con's? Any experiwnces? They seem to use some good barrels in their doubles but I am above my pay grade here.

I would stay away given the controversy surrounding them.

 

[Russ16]

I think Butch should be commended for trying to build a quality American made double rifle. Something that has never really existed other than some very niche exceptions.

But they were built by him in his way. Very few people can work on them. The few that I have handled were very nice and well made guns. But I don’t think they would be a good investment.

Much the same way I wouldn’t buy a Dougall Lockfast shotgun as my daily shooter.

 

[BigGame]

Just go direct to the man and ask him your questions. Otherwise, Griffin and Howe can do work on anything.

 

[mdwest]

I don’t want to spread rumors so please correct me if I’m wrong but I have read that he retired or was to do so imminently. I cannot find the thread where this was posted to quote it but I believe it was on this site

A cursory search for his website can locate his old html but clicking it takes you to an online game that clearly has nothing to do with double rifles

Thread 'Oh, Evil Day'

Aug 15, 2024

I recently learnt that the American double rifle maker, Mr. Butch Searcy has officially retired from his operations.

I know that some of our fellow forum members here have had less than pleasant experiences with Mr. Searcy’s rifles and business practices (the existence of multiple independent accounts from different forum members dispenses with any notion that all of the claims are untrue).

Nevertheless, the man must be respected for what he is/was. As well as what he has accomplished. A Vietnam war veteran who made his base of operations in California, Mr. Searcy was the first (and...

• Hunter-Habib
• Replies: 23
• Forum: Firearms & ammunition

• 

Looks like he retired last year..

 

[Esoteric Junkie]

RUN.......RUN away very fast!!!!!!!

EJ

 

[matt85]

You could search this forum for my experience with the man. I would STRONGLY recommend you avoid him and guns made by him.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Butch retired from gun making in 2023 due to health problems. I’ve handled & fired quite a few of his wares.

Some of his rifles indubitably had issues with them (barrels splitting, ejectors failing, quickly becoming off-face). Particularly those made between 2006 to 2014. But the vast majority of them were extremely well made.

Here is a .600 Nitro Express boxlock ejector which he built for a friend of mine. I really like it. It balances just like an old Army & Navy boxlock ejector double rifle.

I have always had pleasant interactions with him and had the good fortune to visit his Nevada gun shop, back when he was still using Browning BSS shotgun actions to build his double rifles. I really respect the fact that he’s a Vietnam war veteran. And the fact that he’s the first of the only 3 American gun makers who dared to build double rifles (followed by Ken Owen & Bailey Bradshaw).

But to be fair, far too many members of these forums (as well as fellow hunters whom I personally know) have had unpleasant experiences with his wares for me to chalk up the accusations against him as simple “Defamation”. J.J Perodeau will not work on them. And 7 different white hunters flat out forbid their clients to come on Safari with Butch Searcy double rifles.

In my opinion, each & every Butch Searcy double rifle must be assessed upon it’s individual merit before the customer decides to buy one. You might really like some of them. But you may also be disappointed.

 

[rookhawk]

Pro's? Con's? Any experiwnces? They seem to use some good barrels in their doubles but I am above my pay grade here.

Some people have very good things to say about Mr. Searcy. He has many friends and he has made double rifles for his friends. I do not know the man personally.

His early guns were in my opinion, sub-standard. They were built on Miroku Browning 20 gauge shotgun frames.

There was a member on here Matt85 I think is his name. He had a defective high-grade Searcy of modern design. I think it cost around $30k. It had an inherent manufacturing defect. It was sent back to Searcy for a repair and the repair was amateurish, ruined the gun permanently, and did not solve anything. (it required new barrels and forend to be made)

Mr. Searcy was not a member here, but he opted to join AH to inform the world that the double rifle owned by Matt would never receive any further warranty service from Searcy, buyer beware. That of course destroyed the value of Matt's rifle due to no conduct on his part, while also causing tortious interference in his ability to sell the rifle even for a pittance.

That's everything I know about Searcy rifles other than I do not want to ever own one.

 

[Rare Breed]

While quality guns, I would avoid those guns:
(1) He came on the forum and stated that he would not repair a gun he made
(2) JJ says he will not work on them
(3) When this guy dies, you will have a very difficult time getting his guns repaired.

These are all correct.

 

[MacJenkins]

I think Butch should be commended for trying to build a quality American made double rifle. Something that has never really existed other than some very niche exceptions.

But they were built by him in his way. Very few people can work on them. The few that I have handled were very nice and well made guns. But I don’t think they would be a good investment.

Much the same way I wouldn’t buy a Dougall Lockfast shotgun as my daily shooter.

No, I belive it is very few "will" work on them.

 

[Hornedfrogbbq]

Wow. Got it. And that is why I value this forum so much.

 

[hcrobertsonjr]

Butch retired from gun making in 2023 due to health problems. I’ve handled & fired quite a few of his wares.

Some of his rifles indubitably had issues with them (barrels splitting, ejectors failing, quickly becoming off-face). Particularly those made between 2006 to 2014. But the vast majority of them were extremely well made.

Here is a .600 Nitro Express boxlock ejector which he built for a friend of mine. I really like it. It balances just like an old Army & Navy boxlock ejector double rifle.

I have always had pleasant interactions with him and had the good fortune to visit his Nevada gun shop, back when he was still using Browning BSS shotgun actions to build his double rifles. I really respect the fact that he’s a Vietnam war veteran. And the fact that he’s the first of the only 3 American gun makers who dared to build double rifles (followed by Ken Owen & Bailey Bradshaw).

But to be fair, far too many members of these forums (as well as fellow hunters whom I personally know) have had unpleasant experiences with his wares for me to chalk up the accusations against him as simple “Defamation”. J.J Perodeau will not work on them. And 7 different white hunters flat out forbid their clients to come on Safari with Butch Searcy double rifles.

In my opinion, each & every Butch Searcy double rifle must be assessed upon it’s individual merit before the customer decides to buy one. You might really like some of them. But you may also be disappointed.
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Butch is 78 and still taking orders for double rifles. Personally spoke to him yesterday.

 

[deewayne2003]

Butch is 78 and still taking orders for double rifles.

That alone would be cause for concern.

The average death age in the USA for men is 76.5yo when figured from birth, but if the average USA man makes it to 65 then he will on average will have a death age of 83.

So at 78yo how confident are you on handing that man thousands of dollars as a down payment with a wait time of??????

 

[hcrobertsonjr]

That alone would be cause for concern.

The average death age in the USA for men is 76.5yo when figured from birth, but if the average USA man makes it to 65 then he will on average will have a death age of 83.

So at 78yo how confident are you on handing that man thousands of dollars as a down payment with a wait time of??????

Valid point and one I thought about. Barrel blanks are 10-12 weeks.

 

[rookhawk]

Valid point and one I thought about. Barrel blanks are 10-12 weeks.

What would you do if you spend $30k and get an unusable rifle? What happens if he refuses to warranty his manufacturing defects?

Its not hypothetical as it has already happened.

 

[hcrobertsonjr]

What would you do if you spend $30k and get an unusable rifle? What happens if he refuses to warranty his manufacturing defects?

Its not hypothetical as it has already happened.

I hear you. I read all the threads here about the problem rifle he refused to work on. I've also done my research and read many articles from people that were very pleased with a Searcy rifle including Craig Boddington. I've owned both a Verney-Carron and Krieghoff .500 NE, but there's something I can't explain about the draw I feel about having an all American made Searcy double. Just know that I'm going in with eyes wide open. I'm planning on a buffalo hunt next year and plan to use that rifle. If I'm fortunate enough to get my buffalo the rifle will be proudly hung underneath my dagga boy where it will probably remain until my kids or grandkids sells it. I really do appreciate the feedback.