doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Chapuis opinions please

There's a 20 gauge Chapuis boxlock for sale locally, 28"bbl, dt, English stock. Gun has seen use but still solid, pretty wood. Seems to fit me pretty well too. Sellers asking $1500.

Anyone have any experience with these guns they'd like to share?

I liked mine. I paid $3700 new for my 20ga years ago when the exchange rate was much more favorable. Mine was a progress with side plates. They are very well made tough guns that are double proofed and they have gotten pretty expensive. You seldom see a used Chapuis shotgun hit the market. If the opportunity to pick up a good one for $1500 came my way I'd jump on it.

Desigm, material, and workmanship of basic gun is (pun intentional) bullet proof. The level of finish and embelishment depends on the grade (think OE cost) of the gun. A really good example of how "cheaply" a really good gun can made and how expensive finish and embelishment are today.

I'd buy it.

DDA

Thanks for the opinions....have to say it seems like a "bank-vault" design . The bbls seem to rise out if the reciever, almost as if they're set lower in the action but I get a good picture of the last 6-8" and the bead.

Going back tomorrow to give it a good once over, anything unique I need to keep my eye out for?

Take some snap caps or fired cartridges and put some tape over them so you can see if the firing pins are striking the primer. Then close the gun pull the triggers, check for penetration. Retape then close the gun and reopen it without firing. See if any pin protruded enough to mark the tape. I've had a couple 20s and with one used one I found some one had dry fired the gun, the pins will "neck" since they are free floating and some times will stick and can fire the gun upon closing. Easily repaired but very dangerous. Other then that just a standard check out. The guns are very strong. I managed to drop mine off the truck by leaving on top of the dog box. Other then a dent or two in the stock the gun was unfazed. They are pretty bullet proof. Also nice to carry and to shoot.

Thanks Pooch, are they steel shot compatable?

I don't know about the steel shot. I think they are chromed bores but don't know. Call JJ at Champlin Arms he is the expert in the US. I believe Champlin the US importer now.

Thanks