doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Choices, Choices - What do you think?

Hi all, well its time for me to buy MY Christmas present. I've narrowed it down to 2 guns, but need some help. Here they are:

1) Victor Sarasqueta SLE, CC, St grip, DT

2) Webely & Scott 701, St grip, DT

both are in 12b, good shape, weight about the same and the price, within a couple hundred.

Buying thru a dealer here on the net, so cam't really handle them.

So, help me out what would you pick and why?

Thanks so much!!!!

Greg

Do the Webley - a long standing firm with lots of heritage and tradition - and no one does work-a-day boxlocks quite like the Brits.

Yes, I'd go Webley for the same reasons as Lowell's but I'd sure like to hear what our brothers across the water have to say.

You should find out what the WS is proofed to and chamber lengths, determining if modern loads will be appropriate for it. The VS would not likely have had the initial quality of the WS but current condition of both and whether or not you'll have to load for the WS will be the issues, IMO.

Expressing and opinion on a make of gun is fraught with pitfalls.
It is the gun that one should have in hand and an opinion of that only.
But, I am game !!!LOL
A clue is in your posting.
They are in about the same condition. They are very close in price.
One is much older than the other and from a company that has a very old history of building very good to fine guns.
The other is from a company that is only three generations old and some have had a history of soft metal parts that were not properly hardened.
I think, knowing nothing more, I would go with the Scott unless there were a nice SKB out there to buy for probably less money.
Best,
John

Without question, Webley & Scott 701 because you can always find a Victor Sarasquet later if you choose so.

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

All things being equal (condition, etc), I think the Webley is a better gun.

Why? Because it's British - hahaha.

Make sure you have a good 'smith look it over before you buy it, though (send it to him and have him inspect it, go by what he says).

There a lot of things that can be wrong with an English gun - chambers, bores, walls, proofing, etc. If any of those are off, the gun falls in value very fast.

This is what I ask dealers to spell out for me. I ask them to email me their response so that I can have it in writing (a lot of time they'll ask you to call them for the info):

-Bore sizes
-Wall thicknesses
-Chamber length
-How was proofed? Was it reproofed? Is it in proof?
-Are the ejectors properly timed?
-Is the gun tight and on the face?
-Are there any dents, dings, or bulges in the bbls? Any pitting?
-Are there any cracks in the stock?
-Do all the serial #s match?
-What is or isn't all original - bbls, wood, action, bits (toplever, triggerguard)?

If the dealer balks on any of these queries, I would pass on the gun and find another one (and another dealer).

And I'm confused about the 701 model distinction. What is the difference between a 700 and a 701? Is it drop points on the stock? I don't know. The Crawford & Whatley book is a bit vague on this.

OWD

The Spanish could build a wonderful gun, but then again...
I'd pick an upper-end Spanish gun over anything from France, Germany, Italy and Belgium.
Some of their Brit Sle copies are very good indeed, and wouldn't be out of place on the grousemoors.

The 701 was the highest grade gun of the 700 series, which went 700-702-701 from lowest to highest grade. All made post-war. If the $ are about the same, given typical pricing on the used market, either that's one heck of a V. Sarasqueta or else the 701 isn't in very good shape. Not that the Sarasquetas aren't good guns, but they don't seem to command big $ compared to currently manufactured Spanish sidelocks.

Assuming both in good shape, I'd go with the 701 also--unless it's 2 1/2" and you don't want to deal with that.

nothing about stock dimensions?