Kreighoff double rifles - worth buying?

[SRvet]

I would greatly appreciate the collective wisdom on the Kreighoff double rifles and especially the classic big 5. I am considering ordering one in .500 NE and would appreciate the experiences others have had warts and all. I handled my PHs Kreighoff in Namibia and was very impressed, more so than with the Merkel.
Many thanks in advance

 

[UpNorthMI]

I purchased a used Kreighoff big 5 in .500/.416 NE, I fitted an RMR red dot sight on it, I have to say that the gun exceeded all expectations. I found it very accurate from both barrels and have shot quite a lot of animals out to about 75 / 80 yards. 400 grain bullets were really effective, recoil is more than manageable. It is a keeper.

Some people do not like the safety / cocking lever set up, I have to say that I do like it as it's great to carry it closed but not cocked.

I have had no issues and no complaints.

 

[Rare Breed]

@Philip Glass loves his and would be a good person to contact

 

[analog_peninsula]

I like mine; it shoots solids exceptionally well. Also a .500/.416 with a red dot.

 

[DieJager]

Didn't know there was a new player in town...

Krieghoff

 

[BruceS]

I would greatly appreciate the collective wisdom on the Kreighoff double rifles and especially the classic big 5. I am considering ordering one in .500 NE and would appreciate the experiences others have had warts and all. I handled my PHs Kreighoff in Namibia and was very impressed, more so than with the Merkel.
Many thanks in advance

A PH friend of mine swears by his. Also in 500NE

 

[deewayne2003]

Everyone I know that owns one loves it, including Philip Glass I got to see his in Zim.

I stumbled across a deal too good to walk away from on my Ken Owen Sabatti, but while looking around it seemed like the K doubles sell at a severe discount when used.

So deals can be found if your patient and look hard.

 

[Kynoch2015]

I had two. I liked them both very much. Fit was great for me and the recoil was very reasonable for the calibers. I know not everyone likes the cocking device, but I found it intuitive. Both were very accurate with factory ammo. My only complaint is I felt that the triggers were too light giving the calibers. (I didn’t measure the pull weight.). And agree with the above. May be easier to find a deal with a used Krieghoff.

 

[Green Chile]

I have liked both of the models I owned...500/416 and 470. I just got back last night from Africa and one of the PHs had an older Krieghoff that is now in its 2nd generation of PH daily use. I really appreciated how it had aged well and was reliable to its PH users. The grandfather of this PH was one of the founding members of PHASA. I asked how he liked his Krieghoff 470 and he said he wouldn't trade it for anything. That should tell you a lot.

 

[Russ16]

I’ve never owned one but have shot several.

They are high ability well made rifles. I really liked all the ones I shot.

The quirk or what we you want to call it is the safety/cocker. Some people love it and some people hate it. A few people are in the middle. I’m one of those. I would buy one if I found one for the right price and right configuration, but I’m not actively looking for one specifically.

 

[AZDAVE]

I have a 500/416 also and it is one of my favorite rifles.

 

[SRvet]

I had two. I liked them both very much. Fit was great for me and the recoil was very reasonable for the calibers. I know not everyone likes the cocking device, but I found it intuitive. Both were very accurate with factory ammo. My only complaint is I felt that the triggers were too light giving the calibers. (I didn’t measure the pull weight.). And agree with the above. May be easier to find a deal with a used Krieghoff.

Before I first handled one I thought I would dislike the decocker despite also owning a Blaser R8 because I sometimes push down too hard on the R8 cocking slide which then fails to latch. The K gun didn’t seem to be able to do this at all which was a big relief on a DG rifle. I was very impressed indeed and liked the decocker. It seems much safer than having a normal safety with compressed springs held by sear engagement only, especially as I will be second or third in a line whilst carrying the rifle pretty much all of the time.
Has anyone had regulation issues when swapping ammunition types?

 

[Philip Glass]

Everyone I know that owns one loves it, including Philip Glass I got to see his in Zim.

I stumbled across a deal too good to walk away from on my Ken Owen Sabatti, but while looking around it seemed like the K doubles sell at a severe discount when used.

So deals can be found if your patient and look hard.

Extractors sell cheap but try finding a nice used one with ejectors. Pretty rare and tells you something!