Heym versus Rigby

[Rare Breed]

My very good friend @Kevin Peacocke asked me today why I am not a Heym guy versus the Rigby guy that I am. I told him first which speaks well oh Heym there just are not Heym calibers in 275, 9.3x62 or 404J available in the US. They are rare as hens teeth. Second I just prefer Rigby given I am a classical and nostalgic person and appreciate their quality. Just me

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

My very good friend @Kevin Peacocke asked me today why I am not a Heym guy versus the Rigby guy that I am. I told him first which speaks well oh Heym there just are not Heym calibers in 275, 9.3x62 or 404J available in the US. They are rare as hens teeth. Second I just prefer Rigby given I am a classical and nostalgic person and appreciate their quality. Just me

They are both excellent and what a privilege that we have both to consider.

 

[Muskox]

I just like Heyms.

 

[Wildwillalaska]

I’m a big fan of both. Have owned several Rigby rifles before and after California, and my 416 Big Game Rifle remains one of my favorite bolt guns I’ve owned to date. That said, I presently have several more Heym doubles than I own Rigby bolt guns, and wouldn’t mind binning a Martini Express in some 450 cartridge like a Lott or Rigby or a 500 Jeffery.

 

[PCC600]

I like Rigby. I have a 416 and 450 with a Shikari 500 arriving later this year . Have never seen or handled a Heym but I’m sure they are good . My favourite rifle maker is Westley Richards . I’ve got 4 of them - they are excellent .

 

[Piet Brood]

@PCC600 can I be your gunbearer on your next safari? I’ll shine your shoes every morning too.

 

[farmer_john]

In yalls opinion what are the biggest differences?

 

[PCC600]

@PCC600 can I be your gunbearer on your next safari? I’ll shine your shoes every morning too.

You bet - I’ll need a big strong fellow .

 

[Accidental Villain]

In yalls opinion what are the biggest differences?

Exactly. What is the differences? Good question. I’ve seen a good number of treads like this with people going in all directions, few if any giving a good reason for eventual choise.
Significant differences at least to me are; The Rigby have a true Magnum Mauser action, wereas the Heym have not. Different bolt release, ejector is it not? I’ve only seen a couple of Heym’s up close I admit and have limited interest in them. Front sight attatchment system is different. The Rigby is rock solid in this department.
Most significant difference, and the dealbreaker for me are the rear sight. Heym have a common express sight at least those that I’ve seen. The Rigby comes with a regulated signature 1/4 rib. In my view the best DG open irons in existence.
A regulated 1/4 rib is at least a 2-3K feature wereas a common express sight is not.
The stocks are somewhat different, both very good as one would expect though. The Rigby clearly have Rigby DNA in the overall design, including the stock that are a little beefed up compared to the vintage probably to add some weight and balance. I think that is a good thing.
My vote goes to…

 

[Choupique]

Having never laid a finger on either one but ooogling over both for decades, I would order a Heym. Not sure why, but a plainly finished Heym express magnum would be my 2nd choice behind an echols for holy grail won the lottery going to africa rifle.

 

[ftrovato]

I love my Heym. But, if money were no object, it would be a Rigby.

 

[rookhawk]

I think there is some variability between the brands.

If we're talking about bolt rifles, the Heyms and the Rigby's are roughly in the same price range. The stock aesthetics on the Rigby rifles are to my eyes, more attractive. The resale value appears quite a bit stronger on the Rigby. On the double square bridge Rigby rifles, the integrated EAW pivot bases are a very high quality improvement.

Inversely, on the double rifles, the prices of both have climbed quite a bit in recent years. The Rigby rifles are largely made in Belgium which I think degrades some of the prestige of the Shikari. The Shikari rifles presently are VERY close to a vintage Rigby double rifle. The quality of the vintage is of course sublime, and they hold their value very, very well. The resale value of Shikaris is yet unknown because they haven't developed a secondary market yet. The shikari rifles are not authorized for monometal ammunition, a serious limitation for a modern-made double. The Heyms on the other hand are bombproof, incredibly reliable, and have decades of field experience to demonstrate their longevity. All of mine have regulated very well and I found them wholly satisfactory. I do not believe the Shikari is 1.5x to 2x the quality of the Heym, but they are 1.5x to 2x the price.

To throw a further wrench into the works, I'd add that I believe the Dakota Dangerous Game rifles can equal or exceed the quality of the Heym and the Rigby rifles for about half the price. They also hold their values very well.

Disclosures: I've owned Heyms several times. I've handled numerous Rigby rifles and will likely own a Highland Stalker someday in the future. I've owned numerous Dakotas. I've never owned a Shikari and I don't plan on doing so purely because I view dollars better spent on either a vintage British Double or a modern Heym.

My opinions explain why restaurants have menus, not everyone wants the same things.

 

[chashardy]

Rigby guy here, especially regarding a DG bolt action rifle. {love my 416 Big Game} I've considered the Heym doubles as they are very well made and way, way less expensive than a Rigby double, but I haven't purchased one--yet. {Maybe the Shikari is priced competitively to a Heym, but the rising bite is six figures.}

 

[rookhawk]

Rigby guy here, especially regarding a DG bolt action rifle. {love my 416 Big Game} I've considered the Heym doubles as they are very well made and way, way less expensive than a Rigby double, but I haven't purchased one--yet. {Maybe the Shikari is priced competitively to a Heym, but the rising bite is six figures.}

I think a Shikari is running around $70,000

 

[Doug3006]

I think there is some variability between the brands.

If we're talking about bolt rifles, the Heyms and the Rigby's are roughly in the same price range. The stock aesthetics on the Rigby rifles are to my eyes, more attractive. The resale value appears quite a bit stronger on the Rigby. On the double square bridge Rigby rifles, the integrated EAW pivot bases are a very high quality improvement.

Inversely, on the double rifles, the prices of both have climbed quite a bit in recent years. The Rigby rifles are largely made in Belgium which I think degrades some of the prestige of the Shikari. The Shikari rifles presently are VERY close to a vintage Rigby double rifle. The quality of the vintage is of course sublime, and they hold their value very, very well. The resale value of Shikaris is yet unknown because they haven't developed a secondary market yet. The shikari rifles are not authorized for monometal ammunition, a serious limitation for a modern-made double. The Heyms on the other hand are bombproof, incredibly reliable, and have decades of field experience to demonstrate their longevity. All of mine have regulated very well and I found them wholly satisfactory. I do not believe the Shikari is 1.5x to 2x the quality of the Heym, but they are 1.5x to 2x the price.

To throw a further wrench into the works, I'd add that I believe the Dakota Dangerous Game rifles can equal or exceed the quality of the Heym and the Rigby rifles for about half the price. They also hold their values very well.

Disclosures: I've owned Heyms several times. I've handled numerous Rigby rifles and will likely own a Highland Stalker someday in the future. I've owned numerous Dakotas. I've never owned a Shikari and I don't plan on doing so purely because I view dollars better spent on either a vintage British Double or a modern Heym.

My opinions explain why restaurants have menus, not everyone wants the same things.

Does your assessment of the Dakota rifle apply to Parkwest as well?

 

[ftrovato]

I think there is some variability between the brands.

If we're talking about bolt rifles, the Heyms and the Rigby's are roughly in the same price range. The stock aesthetics on the Rigby rifles are to my eyes, more attractive. The resale value appears quite a bit stronger on the Rigby. On the double square bridge Rigby rifles, the integrated EAW pivot bases are a very high quality improvement.

Inversely, on the double rifles, the prices of both have climbed quite a bit in recent years. The Rigby rifles are largely made in Belgium which I think degrades some of the prestige of the Shikari. The Shikari rifles presently are VERY close to a vintage Rigby double rifle. The quality of the vintage is of course sublime, and they hold their value very, very well. The resale value of Shikaris is yet unknown because they haven't developed a secondary market yet. The shikari rifles are not authorized for monometal ammunition, a serious limitation for a modern-made double. The Heyms on the other hand are bombproof, incredibly reliable, and have decades of field experience to demonstrate their longevity. All of mine have regulated very well and I found them wholly satisfactory. I do not believe the Shikari is 1.5x to 2x the quality of the Heym, but they are 1.5x to 2x the price.

To throw a further wrench into the works, I'd add that I believe the Dakota Dangerous Game rifles can equal or exceed the quality of the Heym and the Rigby rifles for about half the price. They also hold their values very well.

Disclosures: I've owned Heyms several times. I've handled numerous Rigby rifles and will likely own a Highland Stalker someday in the future. I've owned numerous Dakotas. I've never owned a Shikari and I don't plan on doing so purely because I view dollars better spent on either a vintage British Double or a modern Heym.

My opinions explain why restaurants have menus, not everyone wants the same things.

For me, there are not any rifles in the price range of a Dakota/Parkwest that can compare to them in craftsmanship and quality. I own several and think they are very well crafted at a fair price point that exceeds Rigby & Heym.

 

[farmer_john]

So I just read that rigby was an american company from 1996 to 2013? What happened that got it here then moved back and how was its qualkty different in that time frame and design?

 

[rookhawk]

So I just read that rigby was an american company from 1996 to 2013? What happened that got it here then moved back and how was its qualkty different in that time frame and design?

Not true or sorta true, depending how you'd like to view things.

John Rigby of London neglected to record their trademark or exercise international rights to their name or likeness. In addition, other extinct iterations of John Rigby sold off their original ledgers at auction over the years.

An enterprising guy in Paso Robles, California A.) Registered the name and trademark, B.) Bought a few of the original ledgers, C.) Struck up a deal with the German maker Gebruder Merkel to buy their basic-quality double rifle actions and barrels "in the white".

The Paso Robles made guns are very "pimpy", highly embellished and somewhat gaudy renditions of a base-grade Merkel. They are very hard to sell because of their look, but even more because people view them as counterfeit Rigby rifles. I'd add to that, there is a number of negative comments about the Paso Robles owner on the Net including allegations of stolen valor. (I cannot confirm or deny)

 

[rookhawk]

Does your assessment of the Dakota rifle apply to Parkwest as well?

They are 100% the same rifles, built in the same town (across the street I believe), manufactured by many of the same hands.

During the Remington bankruptcy debacle, Dakota got sold off in pieces with the larger liquidation. Unfortunately, the talented people of Dakota could not secure the trademarked name "Dakota". All the patents, practices, and quality are identical between a Dakota and a Parkwest. Same case coloring recipe. Same stock geometry. Same checkering layout patterns. Everything identical.

The only way to tell one apart is by looking at the grip cap or barrel nomenclature at point-blank range.

P.S. - While Parkwest has zero legal obligation or incentive to warranty or service Dakota rifles, they do so for little to no charge. A friend just had his Dakota refurbished back to as-new condition for a pittance by the same hands that originally made it. They also possess all the original build sheets of Dakota for purposes of provenance or verifying factory test targets. Bottom line: They are an amazing company.

 

[Muskox]

In yalls opinion what are the biggest differences?

I think there are a lot of things to quantify.

1. Rigby is part of the Mauser/Sauer/Blaser family, the majority of the metal work, and probably more is done in Isny here in Germany. It is said that this varies by grade. As you go up in grades you go up in price. I have probably been hung up on the fact that Rigby is not the same company since the pre-American situation. Is this the original Rigby, probably not but it doesn't mean very much. It is an interesting story on how it came about. Mauser honestly is not the same company since Peter and Paul. They have been horse traded around as well. So does this really matter? Probably not.

2. Heym USA is someone selling Heyms. They are not the same firm as Heym here in Germany. If you come over here and order a rifle your way you can do that. Nothing against Heym USA, but if you do not source your rifle through Heym USA they will do nothing to fix it if it has an issue. Or at least that is what I have been told. Not sure if that is true or not.

3. Heym actions are not really Mauser 98 actions, they are their own sizes and design but very similar in execution. They can be clunky when they get big.

4. Heym bolt guns are crazy uncommon in the USA in the Mauser form factor. There are a few Heym model 10, 20, 21, and 30 bolt guns. Some marked as Mauser 3000 or others.

5. At lower grades Rigby's are factory rifles at full plus plus plus retail. Heyms are actually similar. So I think this is a wash.