doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Merkel vs Parker Repro vs. AYA #2

Hey Chuck, how would you like to save about three thousand bucks?

Instead of buying a 28-ga. Parker Repro, then buying the .410 barrel set from Galazan, then having them fitted and then having an additional forend built (good luck finding the hardware)...I suggest you just buy a 28-ga. Repro and a set of 28-ga to .410 Chambermates---you'd then have a bi-gauge set. You'd save thousands--and on top of that--about a pound or two of weight. The Parker Repro represents one of the greatest values in doubleguns anywhere, they are a joy to carry, great handling characteristics is their hallmark and they keep appreciating in value...what a birdgun!

Makes for a sweet little package...

I didn't need another .410 but when I went looking for a SxS, the biggest problem (aside from price) was that most of them had stubby barrels. I wanted minimum 28", as does Chuck, and I ended up with an AOC/SG (Ugartechea). Although Chuck does not seem impressed with the AyA No. 2, if I wanted a sidelock , that's what I'd get. A No. 2 roundbody with 29" barrels and tight chokes. Can't get that from many other builders at anything resembling a reasonable price. The tight chokes probably make it a special order, and that means a long wait. I like the AOC/SG, but I'd also like that extra inch on the barrels.

Well OK, how about this:

A Cabela's Exclusive AyA Model 4/53 Classic .410


Cal./Gauge: .410 Gauge
Chamber(s): 3"
Barrel(s): 29"
Choke(s): IC/Mod
Weight: 5 lbs. 6 ozs.
Trigger(s): Double Trigger
Stock: Straight/Checkered Stock
Stock Dimensions: LOP: 14 7/8", DAC: 1 1/2", DAH: 2 1/4", CastOff: 1/8"
Fore End: Checkered Splinter
Butt/Pad: Wood
Metal Condition: New
Wood Condition: New
Bore Condition: New
Extras: New with Box


Price: $3499.00
Reference Number: 788716

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/conten...erarchyId=11889

Mike

I can tell you about Merkels. I had a 12ga 147E with gorgeous wood. It was CNC machined to VERY tight tolerances and was pretty stiff upon purchase. The manual said it would be and would loosen up, which it did a bit. I'd agree on the aesthetics of the gun; the wood is a bit clubby, especially the forend. The buttstock was gorgeous and had a little cast for a rightie, which I liked. The barrels were absolutely stunning... bluing, bore polish, everything. They were flat out gorgeous. A bit light a gun for shooting 3" magnums through, which I only did ONCE at a duck just to see how the recoil was...it was too much for not having a soft recoil pad and I'm no recoil weenie by any means. I could take or leave the Germanic engraving; a bit too coarse and deep for me also, but this was to be a duck gun. Had it out and it suddenly wouldn't close... I took it apart in my lap as ducks circled 15yds overhead and laughed. It was made so tight that a few grains of powder under the ejectors bound it up. I cleaned under the ejectors with a twig and it was fine. Those things are built to very tight tolerances. I measured the chambers at home and they were .010" larger than any of my 12ga Parkers, hence the excessive blowby of burned powder and bound up ejectors. Sent it back to GSI and they told me "they were made to proper tolerances"... BS I said and sold it to someone in Hawaii. I don't miss it really but at that time I got it all tricked out in a trunk case with all the fixin's for $4200, just 2wks before a 10% across the board price hike. It was and still is a good gun for the money I think. It just had a few warts... If I still had it I would use it in foul conditions where I maybe didn't want to take a Parker out... which has to be pretty foul for me. If I still had it I could shoot up all this uselss steel shot ammo I have languishing in the basement too.... Hope this helps. And Don, you're correct... "Need" has nothing to do with buying that next shotgun...

I am partial to Parker Repros but I would NEVER buy another Galazan Barrel set for one. The set that I bought for my 20ga (and paid to have fit) is totally unusable. Repeated attempts to get them done properly have met with horrible customer service and insulting excuses. They make interesting products but do not stand behind them... Do not buy one of their barrel sets you will regret it.

or this

http://www.vintagedoubles.com/inventory.php?sort=1&process=fullview&gunID=1050

Vaughan

Serial# 23457
410 gauge Hammerguns
Price: $3400
Action: Top lever back action with rebounding hammers
Ejector: No
Barrel Type: Steel
Barrel Length: 28
Proof:
Nitro: 3
Black:
Choke:
Left: Cyl.
Right: Cyl.
Minimum Wall Thickness:
Left: .040
Right: .039
LOP: 14 7/16
Drop:
Comb: 1 3/8
Heel: 2 1/16
Cast: 1/4 cast off
Weight: 4 lbs. 10 oz.
FFL Required: No


Description:
Nice little .410 handles like a magic wand! Some light pitting in the barrels which could be removed or left. Wall thickness massive and barrels long and sleek! The wood is in very nice condition. I really like the prince of Wales grip.

Okay, no more of that wine for me its back to shots and beers.....you get some crazy thoughts when you're drunk on wine!!!!

Then why not an AyA #1?

I can see I'm going to have to go to Vegas this year.

I will be there. I will let you buy me supper you lucky dog!