Heym 88b ph model

[Mtn_Infantry]

Been hearing 24+ Months but it’ll also depend on if it’s plain or if you’re having any engraving/embellishing done

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Chris Sells was quoting 2yrs as of the fall/winter and saying it’s a conservative estimate, meaning they’d hope to beat it.

The dealer I imported two from this spring, when having him spec a new build out for me with extra barrels, he stopped by the factory to check on a few options and reported back the ETA would be close to 2years.

If choosing high relief engraving and gold inlay, it would get pushed out whatever additional time the specific engraver required. If doing border scroll, Grade I, II, and III engraving, it shouldn’t extend build and delivery. It’s the one-off custom, high relief that can add material additional time.

 

[Bushog]

With the perceived demand too bad someone doesn’t stock these rifles. Probably simply seems like high demand here. Easy crowd…

 

[Shaw]

When I called Heym few months ago I was told plain jane double started at $32K with 3 yr wait.

 

[Bushog]

That’s just a mess…. I’ve waited longer but Hell, I’m not a young man….

 

[rookhawk]

What are the wait times if I ordered one tomorrow?

They’ll tell you a year and you’ll have it in three.

 

[rookhawk]

Amazing isn't it. Weren't some declaring the double rifle market as dead just a couple of years ago? Even with ammo hard to source for some calibers, interest appears to be on the rise,

I think honestly that the double rifle market is very soft right now. What has happened is those that appreciate the value of a double rifle now are of an age to execute their vision. Their vision is highly selective: If modern is your desire, the answer is Heym and Rigby. If vintage is your aim, the desire is British Nitro Express rifles.

I am not seeing the same-day sale listings on the economy options. Krieghoffs, Merkels, Sabattis, Chapuis, and Verney-Carrons don’t jump off the shelves unless they are priced unusually low.

I tell everyone that calls me, for 90% of aspirants, the best double rifle you can buy is an AMAZING $10,000 magazine rifle like a Dakota or similar. For those that truly have the desire and use for a double rifle, the choice should be a modern Heym for reliability and monometal ammo tolerance, or a vintage, fussy to feed British double for absolutely the highest quality. Both latter options are $25k and up for good ones.

No matter what, don’t buy a lousy double rifle, they are not a pleasure to own and they are very hard to sell. If you don’t have the need or the budget for a proper double rifle, stick to world class magazine rifles that cost a fraction of the price.

 

[rookhawk]

IMHO @VertigoBE has the most attractive Heym ever made. PM him if you want to try to pry his 7x65r / 375HH two barrel set away from him. I’ve never seen finer. Not sure if its for sale, just pointing to the nicest I’ve ever seen.

 

[deewayne2003]

All three of the Heyms offered by Champlin sold eons ago. I don't know why Champlin does that, but 99% of their ads on Guns International are sold. Same story on his direct website. It's strange.

He does that so people will call in and he can give them the......

"Oh no that rifle has been sold, but I do have a ________ in stock that is an incredible value!"

I've heard that same story from several prospective buyers who were steered towards guns that were purchased from estates for god knows how little.

 

[Bushog]

Rookhawk, I apologize but I don’t know why people would call you. Please elaborate a little? I do have a really nice Dakota Safari in 375 H&H and I’m trying to convince myself I’m covered… Thanks in advance.

 

[Rare Breed]

lol!!!!! @rookhawk is the very best rifle and more evaluator in the world! I have been the beneficiary of his advice as have countless numbers of our forum members! He very selfless helps all of us who seek out his great expertise!!!

 

[Bushog]

Ha! If I don’t ask I don’t know. Thanks for the support.

 

[Russ16]

I think honestly that the double rifle market is very soft right now. What has happened is those that appreciate the value of a double rifle now are of an age to execute their vision. Their vision is highly selective: If modern is your desire, the answer is Heym and Rigby. If vintage is your aim, the desire is British Nitro Express rifles.

I am not seeing the same-day sale listings on the economy options. Krieghoffs, Merkels, Sabattis, Chapuis, and Verney-Carrons don’t jump off the shelves unless they are priced unusually low.

I tell everyone that calls me, for 90% of aspirants, the best double rifle you can buy is an AMAZING $10,000 magazine rifle like a Dakota or similar. For those that truly have the desire and use for a double rifle, the choice should be a modern Heym for reliability and monometal ammo tolerance, or a vintage, fussy to feed British double for absolutely the highest quality. Both latter options are $25k and up for good ones.

No matter what, don’t buy a lousy double rifle, they are not a pleasure to own and they are very hard to sell. If you don’t have the need or the budget for a proper double rifle, stick to world class magazine rifles that cost a fraction of the price.

That’s good advice.

That said I’ve been extremely happy with my Chapuis. It regulates easily and handles great. If I cooks afford to go to Africa every year I could justify and afford and $25-30k double rifle. For my every 2-3 year trips the Chapuis will fill the bill.

Where I’m different is while I would buy a vintage double for as much as I can afford I have no interest in high end bolt rifles. A standard Model 70 meets my accuracy and reliability needs. I don’t really like engraving on bolt guns as prefer straighter grained wood anyway. Even on a double I don’t want fancy wood which is why I like the vintage guns they are mre underrated.

Maybe it is because I’m a die hard wing shooter and double shotgun user. Double guns speak to me. Bolt guns are much more in the tool category for me.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

That’s good advice.

That said I’ve been extremely happy with my Chapuis. It regulates easily and handles great. If I cooks afford to go to Africa every year I could justify and afford and $25-30k double rifle. For my every 2-3 year trips the Chapuis will fill the bill.

Where I’m different is while I would buy a vintage double for as much as I can afford I have no interest in high end bolt rifles. A standard Model 70 meets my accuracy and reliability needs. I don’t really like engraving on bolt guns as prefer straighter grained wood anyway. Even on a double I don’t want fancy wood which is why I like the vintage guns they are mre underrated.

Maybe it is because I’m a die hard wing shooter and double shotgun user. Double guns speak to me. Bolt guns are much more in the tool category for me.

I’m of a similar mindset on bolt actions. A Pre64 M70 in 375 H&H or 458 Win Mag is all I need, and IMO about the finest made bolt action for Dangerous Game Hunting. Caveat being vintage British made magazine rifles.

That said I’ve owned a variety of double rifles over the years including a bunch of modern and vintage British guns. I’ve since trimmed the collection down to 3 pristine Pre-WW1 made British doubles including one that was referred to as “irreplaceable and as close to unfired as he’s ever seen” and “the nicest original Pre WW2 made double rifle he’s ever seen” by two very well known British Rifle Makers. One inspected it prior to import and the other looked at it here in the states. For me, future acquisitions will likely all be British Guns. @rookhawk last Heym was previously mine and any other modern purchase will likely be a Heym or Marcel Thys

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I need to handle and shoot a Marcel Thys and a Verney Carron at some point.

I want to love vintage guns, and I do absolutely appreciate them, I just have a hard time falling in love with them. A grail gun for me is a 450 Rising bite, and someday would like a Holland and Holland double. On the Holland, and even Westley Richards, it doesn’t need to be pre-war, but it has to function and shoot impeccably. That’s what forces me to look at modern production over vintage.

Oh, and I’ll amend the above to add a bolstered side frame Watson Bros or Lancaster. Also need one or three of those.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I need to handle and shoot a Marcel Thys and a Verney Carron at some point.

I want to love vintage guns, and I do absolutely appreciate them, I just have a hard time falling in love with them. A grail gun for me is a 450 Rising bite, and someday would like a Holland and Holland double. On the Holland, and even Westley Richards, it doesn’t need to be pre-war, but it has to function and shoot impeccably. That’s what forces me to look at modern production over vintage.

Oh, and I’ll amend the above to add a bolstered side frame Watson Bros or Lancaster. Also need one or three of those.

VC’s are nice. I shot another members VC Imperial in 450/400 the other day while trying to help him on regulation. It shot well with the red dot (aside from the factory ammo being wildly inconsistent). For a sub Heym price and no wait it’s a solid option.

Even he agreed, my WR 450NE 3-1/4” Drop Lock felt and shot so much better despite being too short for both of us. Both of use grouped better and had quicker follow-ups with the WR because it just handles differently. I’ve got some feelers out for him in Europe trying to locate something similar to the 450and if I do, I’m sure the VC will become available.

 

[Russ16]

I need to handle and shoot a Marcel Thys and a Verney Carron at some point.

I want to love vintage guns, and I do absolutely appreciate them, I just have a hard time falling in love with them. A grail gun for me is a 450 Rising bite, and someday would like a Holland and Holland double. On the Holland, and even Westley Richards, it doesn’t need to be pre-war, but it has to function and shoot impeccably. That’s what forces me to look at modern production over vintage.

Oh, and I’ll amend the above to add a bolstered side frame Watson Bros or Lancaster. Also need one or three of those.

My problem is I fall in love with all of the vintage guns. Even some really quirky ones and black powder guns. What I really love is designs that fell by the wayside as gunmakers were trying to find the best mousetrap. Things like the Greener Facile Princeps and Dougal Lockfast.

While I haven’t owned many on the rifle side (I’ve owned more shotguns than I should admit) I did spend a fair amount of time assisting an ex-father in law who was a fairly prominent fine gun dealer. So hire had the opportunity to handle and shoot a lot of guns I could never afford. My favorite was probably a Roda self cocking under lever hammer gun in 577 BP. Pulling that under lever and watching the hammer move back was so satisfying.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I’m out on buying a VC anytime soon. If I stumbled on a grail gun, but otherwise I’m ordering another Heym here in the next couple weeks. I’ve got it spec’d, just trying to decide between an African frame 450 with second set of barrels in 450/400 set up for scope, or a 450/400 with scoped barrels in 375 Flanged Mags.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I’m out on buying a VC anytime soon. If I stumbled on a grail gun, but otherwise I’m ordering another Heym here in the next couple weeks. I’ve got it spec’d, just trying to decide between an African frame 450 with second set of barrels in 450/400 set up for scope, or a 450/400 with scoped barrels in 375 Flanged Mags.

Why not a 450 with spare 375 Flanged Mag Scoped

 

[Wildwillalaska]

Why not a 450 with spare 375 Flanged Mag Scoped

Or that.