DeWayne,
I’ve happily owned several AyA’s in the past & living in the UK there’s been lots of opportunity to examine a great number more. They were considered to be several cuts above the majority of Spanish production & AyA were largely responsible for raising the profile of the Spanish gun industry in the UK in the 1960-70’s
AyA went through the doldrums a number of years ago when several makers amalgamated or became a co-operative (I’ve never quite known the full story but it didn’t seem like a rosy time for any concerned).
When I look at current production I don’t see AyA offering as good a quality gun as in the past nor the same value for money (even accepting that prices have to rise). Recently in a British gun magazine there was a photo of an AyA No.1 illustrating – I quote: “the superb inletting for the locks”. Well it was the most simplistic attempt at inletting you’d ever see – not good on any gun & very poor on a gun costing as much as the current No.1 (it said a lot about the quality of the articles author as well!). The point is – the No.1’s & 2’s did used to have a good standard of inletting.
Subject to inspection - I’d certainly buy another AyA but it would not be a new one (actually I fancy an older XXV boxlock just for fun).
Regards
Russell
