doublegunshop.com - home Forums Thread Like Summary - AYA No. 2 Question

So I’m in the market for a nice SxS that could serve double duty for the occasional clays shoot and a dove/pheasant gun. I’ve toyed with the idea of several models but am drawn to the AYA line as they seem to be a great quality that is within my budget. A local shop has a really nice round body number 2 in 12 gauge that has been hunted but not abused. The only issue is that the stock has been shortened to 13 5/8”. My LoP is short of 14” typically and in a cold weather hunting scenario I need it even shorter to allow for coats. The gun mounts well for me and I believe it will work just as it is. My question is how much has this gun depreciated as a result of the stock being shortened? I’m willing to make a fair offer but I know its resale marketability is drastically affected. I’d appreciate any feedback on the matter. Thanks!!

If the gun will work for you with the short pull and you can get it at a great price, go for it. Sure for resale the short pull will hurt the resale value. I think sometimes people should not just consider the resale value. Most of us do not buy a car just based on which one will hold the best resale value. Buy it to enjoy it. Too may people think guns are an investment. They are not.


John Boyd

If the gun is useful to you as it is now why would you ask this question? You don't want a gun with a stock that is too long for you but is original. Ask this; what would the gun in its original condition sell for in an English gun shop right now? My understanding is that SxSs are going for cheap there. That may be the market when you try to sell it in the future. If you think it is a bit more than you want to spend and the shortened stock is a dickering point, that's another thing. My LOP is the same as yours and I turn away from guns with really nice wood that I will then have to cut a half inch of that nice wood. If someone has done it already I'm in.

Thanks for the replies gentlemen. The gun is priced on consignment at $4600 and I think we all agree that’s too high. The owner knows he’s upside down in the gun and is willing to sell for less hence why I posed the question. I don’t mind paying a fair price but I know that the shortened stock presents some significant challenges in the future should I decide to sell as liverwort eluded to.

I may make a significantly reduced offer on the gun as its lop could work for me and it has thinwall Brileys installed which appeals to me. I appreciate everyone’s input!!

I, too; have seen all too often the off-centered engraving — particularly on the right side plate. You would think that a gun at this point that AyA would get it right. However, it seems more often than not that they cannot.

The engraving on a #2 is not hand engraving. It is rolled on by a template. So if the plates are off center, then the rolled on engraving is off center too

John Boyd

Gents I sincerely appreciate the feedback. I’ll admit I’m somewhat new into what I consider mid tier SxS guns. I own some nice lower tier subgauge guns (LC Smith, Fox, Ithaca/SKB) and I have enjoyed them immensely but I’m looking to spread my wings into a higher quality gun cautiously. While I enjoy the smaller bores and know there is value there I’m thinking a 12 bore will be a more economical entry into a higher grade gun for sporting clays and occasional pheasant hunts. I’ll likely pass on the gun in question but I appreciate everyone’s input as it helps in educating me in a future purchase. As they say…the search continues…..