It should come as no surprise to anyone that the gun market cycles up and down; it has always done so. The trade prospers when the market is up and suffers when it is down. Down tends to shake out the weak players; so it is in most markets.
I have shopped Spanish guns since reading (and re-reading and re-re-reading, etc.) MMs Spanish Best. I guess wed have to say I remained unconvinced; never bought. Not sure why, either. I am very sure that perception is a big factor and brand name is a major selling point. Perception of brand name seems to be made up of firm longevity, production level, % of production in high grade guns, enduring firm creativity, and social acceptance. Might be interesting to work out a consensus grade for the various Spanish makers in the above factors. That might well point them in the direction they need to improve.
Most of you know that I have a data base of objective handling. Curiously, I find that most subjective handling assessments to be heavily based on brand name. That is, swing effort lies more in the eye of the beholder than in the hands. Take the following two guns:
AyA #2 12 bore with 28 bbls and 15 LOP 6# 11 oz, 4 balance to front trigger, unmounted swing effort at 1.57, mounted swing at 7.03, and half-weight radius at 10.45
Boss SLE 12 bore with 30 bbls and 14 LOP 6# 11 oz, 4 5/8 bal to front trigger, unmounted swing effort at 1.57, mounted swing at 6.85, and half-weight radius at 10.43
If presented the two head to head for handling, most shooters will decide that the Boss has better balance (the common term that is used as a summative of handling properties). Clearly, the two guns are indistinguishable objectively. BTW, there is no objective summative term; a guns handling description requires weight, balance, unmounted and mounted swing effort for a complete description. There is no doubt in my mind that Spanish makers are perfectly capable of producing guns with handling to match any reasonable pattern.
Some makers have weathered downs in the past by being innovative. Seems to me the Spanish might want to market guns with both bespoke stock fit and bespoke handling. A number of modern target guns have been produced with adjustable stock dimensions and adjustable weight and weight location. Missing is how to deal with handling fit.
