Some years ago, I was looking for a 'best' grade s/s, probably a self opener. I visited a number of UK dealers and handled quite a few guns - and I have also handled a fair number of friends guns, plus done a lot of reading!
The conclusions were that there was a lot of variation - from gun to gun. A Purdey can vary from very smooth and nice to very uneven in effort. I have been told that a fair number of guns on the Purdey Beesley action, especially older ones have been 'got at' by 'gunsmiths' who are more like 'blacksmiths'.
The best, in good order are smooth with a very even closure action. The worst are best described as uneven and lumpy in operation.
The best of the lot are the Henry Atkin 'Spring Opener' models - again when in best correctly adjusted condition. They are based on the same Beesley patent, but have minor differences to the Purdey interpretation and use a conventional "Southgate" style ejector. A good one is about as good as you will get anywhere at any price.
I don't have any experience of English O/U designs, but out of the continental O/U designs of which I do have experience, the Merkel 303E (NOT the lesser 203E model, which is less good having different ejectors) is excellent - very smooth and even, and the Beretta SO5/6 series are also good. The lesser Berettas are also good, but do vary a bit - my 57EL has an annoying need to be very deliberate to FULLY open against slight spring resistance to get enough gape to load. Not all have this trait, which can be adjusted out, but needs care not to overdo the adjustment causing non cocking.
Last edited by JohnfromUK; 04/23/16 02:53 PM.
