doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Information on Arrmas EGO

Good morning,

I am hoping that someone might be able to provide some information (general info, quality, value) on an Armas EGO I am looking at. This is what I know: stated to be made in 1982, 27 3\4" barrels, 3� chambers, bores are great, ejectors, LOP is 14 3\4�, wood is very plain, stock appears to have been cut, swivel hardware added, marks on a few screw heads.
Thanks in advance.

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Good luck on your quest. I have an EGO SBT that is in some ways much like a Ljutic w/the release being a 'button' in front of the trigger guard. It is well enough made, but I have never been able to find out anything specific about the company or who may have brought that particular model into the states or when.

Looking at the pics you've posted, it appears the bbl's. lump is brazed to a pair of forged bbls. Nothing wrong w/that, just saying. Also, that there may be some galling on the action's nose [can't really tell from the pics] & there could be an issue from that. I would test the bbls. for being on face at a minimum and if there is galling present, regardless of whether on face and discount the amount paid accordingly. If found to be off-face, I'd stay away from purchase at any price. Too, I would have a good look at the locks since it is obvious someone has been inside the gun. In summary, it is not a high grade gun & was likely moderately priced when made, in spite of some desirable features like the ejectors & hand detachable locks. Hard to judge Spanish guns from that time period on name alone. Another example of it being utility grade would be looking at the close-up pic of the bbl's. marking; they were struck, but w/o much attention to them being intended to take any high polish. Some Spanish guns of that era are sound work horses while others have had issues. The locks should tell you, assuming gun is on-face. Oh, and drop the firing pins w/a hard block of something against the standing breech, take a look at the noses for wear &/or breakage. They should protrude approx. 1mm for sound firing. Perhaps something of use for you here.

As an aside, Gough Thomas had a lot to say about Spanish guns in some of his works from that time period & it is, IMHO, as unbiased as you will find. You would likely find it enjoyable & informative reading.

You're right on target; proof year 1982. Barrel weight is a little on the light side for much use of 3 inch shells, but the stock looks like it could take it.

Gun appears to have been made for some American retailer.

Armas Ego, like almost all the Spanish artisanal shotgun makers, made guns to every price point at which a demand existed. Your gun appears to be a mid price point gun (roughly like an AyA model 117). Ego did some very fine work, and even produced some top notch double express rifles.

Value, in the sense of what the gun might bring if sold today, is hard to tell. Armas Ego is not a well known name, and most people buy the name rather than the gun. I'd guess (emphasis on "guess") it would bring a minimum of $1200 USD and could go for twice that.

Hope this helps.

Unfortunately, in Canada, the gun being the way it is, I think anywhere near $1200.00 is extremely wishful thinking. Half that is about what will be realized here. Originally, in a discussion, I valued it at being worth roughly somewhere around $800.00 in Canada. But a few things have since been pointed out that I think would make it quite difficult to realize that amount. But, you never know depending on the day.

FYI, and entirely FWIW, I'm not seeing any mechanical issue with the gun. Even if the barrels were getting a little loose due to wear on the hinge pin, that's easily fixed by rotating the hinge pin 180 degrees.

Comparing the illustrated gun to an AyA 117 for fit and finish?
Sorry, no comparison at all in my opinion.
The gun has the basic features but not the grace.

You're certainly welcome to your opinion. I have an AyA 117 and have handled quite a few more, and in my opinion that Ego is the equal in fit and finish of any of the AyA 117s I've had go through my hands.

There is nothing magical about any of the Spanish gun makers. At any given time and price point they have all made pretty much the same gun.

Good afternoon. Six hundred US.

Were that gun come up for auction I'd outbid you :-)

Thanks to all for the information and comments. It appears that a lesser known gun such as this is hard to peg for quality & value.

Beautiful Spaniard. Love that stock and the full sweep of its pistol grip. Looks like a hunting gun and built for it. These lesser known Spanish makers built excellent 'specific use' guns and their value is sorely underrated as well as their quality.

In other words, if you have one keep it as you'll never get the value it has to you out of it at sell.

Just a note that the 1,000 Kg. Proof is for the older type 3 inch Magnum ammunition mainly loaded with 1 5/8th. ounce shot rather than the more modern stuff which runs at 1 7/8th. ounce. The higher proof required would read 1,200 Kg. Gun should give good service. Lagopus.....

Just a quick update on the Armas EGO. I ended up buying it and as I mentioned before, the wood on it is very nondescript. I refinished the wood and gave the gun a thorough cleaning. I will be getting the chokes opened up and at 7 pounds, 1 ounce it will make a nice upland gun.

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Patrick, I would have said, if I had got here soon enough, why are you buying it? It's not a stand out gun, and refinishing won't make it one. It wasn't for sale at a steal of a price and you won't make a lot when you sell it. It's just another gun. Save your money, buy guns that are special....in fit and feel....in appearance or rarity....or are phenomenal deals. Otherwise, pass.

IMO canvasback that is good advice for this gun or any gun. It is the approach I take.

James, I enjoy buying guns like this for a few reasons.� First is that I enjoy refinishing the the stocks myself.� I find it very relaxing and a fantastic hobby.� I have a few friends that are like minded and we get together in my workshop, work on guns, talk guns, talk hunting, etc.� That time is worth far more to me than the guns themselves.� I also really enjoy the pursuit / hunt of acquiring the guns.�

Secondly, as you know have only been back at hunting for about 2 1/2 years now and I have much to learn before I will know what special or phenomenal is.� (I just learned yesterday what a Scott's crossbolt is ) Our side by side shoots have been a great opportunity to view and handle some nice guns and to learn a lot.� I have learned something with each purchase and met some great people along the way.

Will I keep all these guns?� Definitely not.� I might make a few dollars, lose a few or break even.� But best of all, as these are inexpensive guns, I can give a few away to others who might not otherwise get the chance.�

Once I know what I want I will have no issue with spending more. But that doesn't mean I will stop doing what I am currently doing if I continue to enjoy it for the reasons above.

Just my thoughts.� Right or wrong.

Patrick, IMHO those are all excellent reasons for disregarding my previous advice!

After having it in hand how does the gun feel? Is the action and bolting tight? how does it balance? Looks like a good work horse Spanish sidelock to me.