Question For Our German & Austrian Members

[Tex .416]

For the members that live in Germany and Austria, what is the general perception on differences between Heym and Krieghoff?

 

[Red Leg]

I have a pretty strong opinion based on my experiences in both countries (and likely won't track with the likely general opinion on our site), but look forward to hearing what our Teutonic friends have to say on the subject.

 

[rookhawk]

I have similar strong opinions without any residency bonafides to back it up. Quality is generally excellent while aesthetic can be wildly debated.

@Red Leg has a fair amount of German-Austrian weapons in his collection so he's a useful data point even if he lacks the correct passport.

 

[Tex .416]

I have a pretty strong opinion based on my experiences in both countries (and likely won't track with the likely general opinion on our site), but look forward to hearing what our Teutonic friends have to say on the subject.

I have similar strong opinions without any residency bonafides to back it up. Quality is generally excellent while aesthetic can be wildly debated.

@Red Leg has a fair amount of German-Austrian weapons in his collection so he's a useful data point even if he lacks the correct passport.

Well please, the two of you go ahead and share your experience.

I am curious about perceptions from the locals as sometimes as on several subjects in life I have found they have information that is not widely known from friends and family working in the businesses.

 

[rookhawk]

So I’ve handled a ton of Krieghoff shotguns. They are a cult following and I see the price and I do see the quality. I cannot abide the fact they are sporting clays guns and they can’t make a game gun to save their lives. Many people win live pigeon shoots with them.

As to K-gun double rifles: they are a bit fugly, the engraving is crude and childish, and the barrels cannot be re-regulated and are often regulated with a dremel. The safety system you either love or you hate. I cannot abide.

Original Krieghoff Neptune drillings and combination guns from the golden era? The finest ever made.

Heyms: a bit weird in their style, irrefutably one of the best quality, most accurate, most reliable modern double rifles. Are they better than $150k British rifles? Not even close, but they aren’t $150k.

Honorable mention: Just, Franzoi, Peterlongo, and other Austrian builders making lovely best guns.

Turn offs: boar back stocks, skip line and basket weave checkering, etc.

 

[rookhawk]

@Red Leg , your turn.

 

[Whit]

So I’ve handled a ton of Krieghoff shotguns. They are a cult following and I see the price and I do see the quality. I cannot abide the fact they are sporting clays guns and they can’t make a game gun to save their lives. Many people win live pigeon shoots with them.

As to K-gun double rifles: they are a bit fugly, the engraving is crude and childish, and the barrels cannot be re-regulated and are often regulated with a dremel. The safety system you either love or you hate. I cannot abide.

Original Krieghoff Neptune drillings and combination guns from the golden era? The finest ever made.

Heyms: a bit weird in their style, irrefutably one of the best quality, most accurate, most reliable modern double rifles. Are they better than $150k British rifles? Not even close, but they aren’t $150k.

Honorable mention: Just, Franzoi, Peterlongo, and other Austrian builders making lovely best guns.

Turn offs: boar back stocks, skip line and basket weave checkering, etc.

What do you define as the golden era of German weapons manufacturing? The post-WWI Suhl era?

 

[rookhawk]

What do you define as the golden era of German weapons manufacturing? The post-WWI Suhl era?

Golden era is 1919-1939, between the wars.

 

[Rimbaud]

I’ve got two kids in fancy college. Every year, I basically destroy a London best, or top Austrian rifle and/or European sports car. I lust after the Fanzoj kipplauf and want one with a few different barrels and optics. I checked w Fanzoj some years ago, and the starting price was €50,000. If I was smart, I would have saved/invested years ago for the kipplauf as for educational expenses. The struggle is the journey.

 

[Killo]

So I’ve handled a ton of Krieghoff shotguns. They are a cult following and I see the price and I do see the quality. I cannot abide the fact they are sporting clays guns and they can’t make a game gun to save their lives. Many people win live pigeon shoots with them.

As to K-gun double rifles: they are a bit fugly, the engraving is crude and childish, and the barrels cannot be re-regulated and are often regulated with a dremel. The safety system you either love or you hate. I cannot abide.

Original Krieghoff Neptune drillings and combination guns from the golden era? The finest ever made.

Heyms: a bit weird in their style, irrefutably one of the best quality, most accurate, most reliable modern double rifles. Are they better than $150k British rifles? Not even close, but they aren’t $150k.

Honorable mention: Just, Franzoi, Peterlongo, and other Austrian builders making lovely best guns.

Turn offs: boar back stocks, skip line and basket weave checkering, etc.

Hey Rookhawk do you shoot live pigeons?

We do allot of that down here in Mexico…

Love it!!