doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Best gun value buys.

I saw you said "here." It doesn't matter where you are, really, as I think the internet drives pricing generally these days.

Admittedly, $200 for his 1900 is an aberrant price. But the broader point is that you CAN buy these guns in good shape for achievable prices. Model 1894's as well.

But with Winchester, even Model 24's are on the market for $2,500 these days. Model 21's are $3,500+ just for field grades. Stronger than the rest? Yes. But a 1968 Ford LTD is "stronger" than a Shelby Cobra. Does that make you want to scour Craigslist for someone's backyard LTD so you can cruise over to the racetrack and impress people?

"Wow, that boat looks like it could float!"
"Yeah, but look how STRONG it is!"

If you doubt my view I would invite you to investigate GunBroker.

- Nudge

Nudge, there is no accounting for people's taste. During the summer I attended a show and shine one Saturday night with my son. On a flat bed was a car in the midst of a body off restoration. I believe it was an AMC product. Matador or Gremlin. I was so shocked I can't even remember which one. Compared to that car, I'd happily take the LTD.

The real value in a well-made used gun is a British boxlock. Not a knock on Remington doubles, but the British versions are better made, better balanced, and usually better finished.

I didn't doubt your view. I don't shop for guns on line but I do visit the occasional local shop or gun show and I merely stated my opinion and my experience. It obviously differs from yours.

Find me a British made double, that can handle off the shelf factory ammo, for 200 dollars. I have a few British doubles and enjoy them for their lightweight when shooting light loads but not as field guns. For ducks and geese I find the Remington 1894 and 1900 to be very comfortable to shoot and capable of taking game at ranges beyond my showing ability. My go to pheasant guns are Fox AE or Sterlingworths if raining.

Where I live most British doubles under $1000-1200 are worn out guns on their last legs. You can find sterlingworths for 500, nids for 400-450, Remington 1894 and 1900 for 300 - 500, 500 for ejector guns all which can handle factory shells not costing 11.00 a box.

It's just apples to oranges trying to find a high condition British double for what you can find American doubles. Even BSA s, which I am not a fan of, will cost more than a fox or Remington and nobody will claim they are a better value.

I agree! With all the collector focus on best sidelocks, the boxy's are overlooked. Make mine a W&C Scott C grade!

As for American makes, VALUE = (QUALITY + RARITY) / PRICE.

As such, I personally rank them:

Lefever (any w/condition)
Syracuse Arms (any w/condition)
LC Smith (graded w/condition, either pre or post 1913)
Ithaca (highest grades w/condition)
Baker (highest grades w/condition)

Those are all guns you have to do some serious leg work to acquire. The thrill of the hunt!!

- Nudge

Finding the right British box lock isn't easy because you need to understand them, but good ones can be had for around $1200. They will be 12-gauge and somewhat unadorned, but they are out there (the French and Belgian versions can be great values as well). The real argument here is the old "hand-made versus mass-produced" one. I'll admit that for $300 the old American doubles aren't bad (neither are some of our pre-war pumps), but as self- described "gun nuts" is that a realistic number? Is that where your focus is?

Free market economics wins every time.

I agree there.

I'd buy up every 1894 in decent condition for $300! Great guns and made well.