doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion German & Austrian Sporting Guns @ doublegunshop.com Advice on where to seek a first drilling

Recoil Rob,
That safety is not a greener type and I think it would not be nearly as prone to being accidently moved to the "off" position as a Greener with a lever or higher button added.
Mike

I wish I had a friend like that.

Sounds like a beautiful gun.

Thank you all gentlemen for your input. There is some useful information here and some beautiful guns shared.
I'd like to add a couple further bits of advice I got as a result of this thread.

1. I had a 16 gauge in my mind because they are going to be slimmer and better to carry afield. After review, I'm more open to a 12 gauge. Truthfully, most of my bird hunting is for stocked pheasants at my club where carrying a heavier gun wouldn't be an obstacle. If I were to make a grouse trip up north where I'd be carrying a gun all day, I'd just bring a different and more suitable gun. By considering a 12 gauge, it gives a more ready ammo selection and increases the likelihood that I'd shoot a drilling at informal clays with friends or in a round of skeet just for fun. I love 16 gauges but generally only shoot them at game and shoot 12 gauge or 20's at clays.

2. I'm going to save up a bit more before buying a drilling. The advice shared was to spend a little more on a nicer drilling and I'd be happier in the long run. Less expensive drillings on the market are likely to be either chambered in obsolete or less shootable calibers, or are going to be guns that have been abused or messed with and in need of repair- as in expensive repair.

I enjoy the thrill of the chase as much as, if not more than, having the prize in hand. The additional information I've picked up in this thread already has me perusing drilling listings more intelligently and I will to continue to enjoy my search until I'm ready to pull the trigger.

Jason

Jason,
" You pays your money and makes your choice". I have noticed one thing lately though. There seem to be post war drillings on the market at prices considerably lower than pre war ones. This is not because of any fault of post war guns, it comes from the same mind set that causes Lugers, single action Colts and toggle link Winchesters to be so high. Post war Suhl proofed guns are more likely to be chambered for 2 3/4" shells and 8x57IRS, 7x65R, 6.5x57R, 7x57R, or something else available in the US.
Mike

My first two drillings were 16 ga x 9.3x72R hammer ones. The first, a nicely engraved one, cost me $75 and the second, a plainer one, was $35. They were both good shooters and comfortable to carry. Uh, it was a while ago;-)

HalfaDouble,
I've been looking for a local closet find drilling for 25 years but none have surfaced. I'd jump on an old hammer drilling for $75! Even if you bought yours 40 years ago and you adjust for inflation, yours were a deal.

I would really handle a 12ga drilling before buying, they feel like 2x4's in my hands and they give you no advantage over a 16ga other than buying ammo. If your going through the trouble of buying a drilling, ordering a case or two of appropriate ammo is of little trouble, then you never have to worry about having ammo available.

I once had a Cape gun in 20 gauge and 9.3x72R. An unusual combination but a really sweet handling gun. On the other hand, I have a Pieper Cape in 12 gauge and 38-40 which is also unusual but kind of a brute.

Jason,
You can buy whatever you want, but it would be wise to listen to Oskar's advice and handle it first, maybe even shoot it some.
Mike

What Mike said. You've got to spend some time with it before buying. I think the best handling hammerless one I ever had was an underlever (not a Jones) 16 gauge over 8x57R (360) and really trim and slick. Kind of wish I'd kept that one.