CONCO ARMS 416 Rigby

[BJH65]

Is anyone familiar with Conco Arms? I’m not familiar with them and an online search doesn’t reveal much, other than they seem to have specialized in building big bore African style rifles. Recently acquired a custom BRNO ZKK-602 416 Rigby built by Conco Arms. It has a 3 position safety, EAW pivot scope mounts and an older Zeiss 1.5-4.5 scope. The seller said the original owner only fired it once. It appears new and unused.

It had been listed awhile for $4500 but when the bid price dropped to $2500 I couldn’t pass it up. Thought it would make an excellent companion rifle to my custom BRNO 458 Lott. It has the dreaded muzzle brake but it’s detachable and I already ordered a screw in thread protector.

BRNO 458 Lott on top, BRNO 416 Rigby on bottom. With scope it weights about the same, 11 lbs.,

 

[deewayne2003]

No experience with Conco, but from appearances it looks like a nice build.

You figure in the pivot mounts, 3 position safety, cerakote, barrel band swivel, muzzle brake and gunsmithing to do that work and your well above 50% of the purchase price; so you basically bought the upgrades and got the rifle for free.

Interested to see how it shoots, I'd just get a threaded muzzle cap to ditch the brake and call it good.

 

[coreydb]

Conco has been around a while but is small scale. Nothing bad ever said or written about the work or craftsmanship, apparently he refreshes and re-barrels.

 

[BJH65]

Conco has been around a while but is small scale. Nothing bad ever said or written about the work or craftsmanship, apparently he refreshes and re-barrels.

There is very little information available on them based on my internet searches and it appears they are no longer active in building custom rifles. A search does reveal some nice custom big bore rifles that have sold at auction and various online sales. Some appear to be somewhat higher end custom rifles. I cannot locate a gunsmith name or even a location? They sure did like customizing BRNO ZKK-602’s.

 

[BJH65]

No experience with Conco, but from appearances it looks like a nice build.

You figure in the pivot mounts, 3 position safety, cerakote, barrel band swivel, muzzle brake and gunsmithing to do that work and your well above 50% of the purchase price; so you basically bought the upgrades and got the rifle for free.

Interested to see how it shoots, I'd just get a threaded muzzle cap to ditch the brake and call it good.

I agree, the customization, EAW pivot mounts/rings and Zeiss scope were at least what I paid for it not including the rifle. It’s seems every bit as well built as my custom AHR/Robar Brno 458 Lott.

I’ll report on how it shoots after I get back, leaving for elephant & buffalo hunt in a few days.

 

[coreydb]

Yeah, evidently he was a gunsmith who worked from his home who did all his work. He also did work on Sako and (I don't know why) Weatherby actions. I saw some of his work up for auction here and there over the years, but nothing for a long time. I personally think you got a heck of a kit for a great price......now does it shoot MOA?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

No fancy wood but who cares. Good tough gun. Not my favorite caliber but that's just me. You should be able to get your money out of it easily if needed ... provided it shoots okay ... and I would be exceedingly surprised if it doesn't.

Good find.

 

[BJH65]

Yeah, evidently he was a gunsmith who worked from his home who did all his work. He also did work on Sako and (I don't know why) Weatherby actions. I saw some of his work up for auction here and there over the years, but nothing for a long time. I personally think you got a heck of a kit for a great price......now does it shoot MOA?

Thanks, too tempting to pass, I was surprised no one else bid but it was a fairly recent significant price drop. There is a Griffen & Howe 416 Rigby on a Weatherby MK V action for sale, 12K on gunsinternational, interesting that a high end builder would use a MK V action. I’ll definitely report back on how it shoots after I’m back from Africa.

 

[BJH65]

No fancy wood but who cares. Good tough gun. Not my favorite caliber but that's just me. You should be able to get your money out of it easily if needed ... provided it shoots okay ... and I would be exceedingly surprised if it doesn't.

Good find.

Thanks, I do prefer nice wood but after I scratched the hell out of my beautiful wood stock on our last African hunt, I think I’m good with synthetic! I’ll definitely report back on how it shoots. 400 grain Barnes TSX shoot exceedingly well out of the CZ 416 Rigby’s I’ve shot.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Thanks, I do prefer nice wood but after I scratched the hell out of my beautiful wood stock on our last African hunt, I think I’m good with synthetic! I’ll definitely report back on how it shoots. 400 grain Barnes TSX shoot exceedingly well out of the CZ 416 Rigby’s I’ve shot.

Presumably he rebarreled the action? How does the engraving of barrel caliber font/style/size compare to what's on your factory CZ rifles?

 

[BJH65]

The older Zeiss 1.5-5x18 has a heavy duplex reticle and glass is very clear.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The older Zeiss 1.5-5x18 has a heavy duplex reticle and glass is very clear.
View attachment 718799View attachment 718802

Looks good. How much clearance for bolt handle? Looks like it could use lower rings/base?

 

[BJH65]

Looks good. How much clearance for bolt handle? Looks like it could use lower rings/base?

There is about 3/8 of an inch clearance at the rear ocular bell. I’m not familiar with EAW pivot mounts but probably could use a lower elevation block if one wanted.

 

[BJH65]

Presumably he rebarreled the action? How does the engraving of barrel caliber font/style/size compare to what's on your factory CZ rifles?

The block lettering for caliber looks exactly like my factory CZ 416 Rigby, same font and size. The “Conco Arms” engraving on top though is larger, thicker and in cursive.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

There is about 3/8 of an inch clearance at the rear ocular bell. I’m not familiar with EAW pivot mounts but probably could use a lower elevation block if one wanted.

Plenty to work with. Good. I think with 416 recoil and lightweight stock you'll want to be down on that gun a bit tighter. No need for extended front ring with straight tube scope. Some guys get panicky about anything hanging over the magazine port (but I've never had a problem loading under extended ring or rail).

 

[BJH65]

Plenty to work with. Good. I think with 416 recoil and lightweight stock you'll want to be down on that gun a bit tighter. No need for extended front ring with straight tube scope. Some guys get panicky about anything hanging over the magazine port (but I've never had a problem loading under extended ring or rail).

Rifle with scope and mounts is right at 11 lbs.

 

[JimmyJack54]

I too had been looking for info related to Conco Arms, not related to your gun, and found little information. One thing I did find on the web, so it must be true, is this:
“CONCO ARMS
Previous importer of Hambrusch rifles located in Emmaus, PA'.”

If true, it does answer the location question.

 

[RR 314]

I too had been looking for info related to Conco Arms, not related to your gun, and found little information. One thing I did find on the web, so it must be true, is this:
“CONCO ARMS
Previous importer of Hambrusch rifles located in Emmaus, PA'.”

If true, it does answer the location question.

Yup. He imported to PA and upgraded/built a lot of Model 70s. The subject rifle looks like a solid build. Good buy. Oh, I think that is about as low as EAW mounts come.

 

[Hooked Now]

I stared at that rifle for a bit and was very curious after the big price drop. Good to hear somebody in the AH family got it. Sometimes when something looks like a good deal it is just that...a nice rifle at a great price. Congrats and anxious to hear both your hunt report and how the new rifle shoots when you get back. Travel safe and have fun.

 

[whisk(e)y hunter]

Nice pick up!