“The story of AYA fine guns is long, interesting, and ultimately about people. Alex Aranzábal, now at the center of that story, is of the fourth generation of the AYA family. His story, like that of AYA itself, is full of layers, culture, and triumph.”
Why? Because it’s a reliable, well-built sidelock shotgun that combines best-gun features like chopper-lump bbls and hand-detachable locks with an affordable price.
AYA #2 Sidelock SxS Mfg for Orvis 12 ga No Reserve
The one you see here is on Gunbroker.com now and the listing ends 12/16/2018 @ 8:00 PM. Because it’s listed at No Reserve, it could end up being a steal. Here’s more info about it from the seller:
AYA #2 Sidelock SxS Mfg for Orvis 12 ga No Reserve
AYA #2 Sidelock SxS Mfg for Orvis 12 ga No Reserve: From what I understand, this is a number 2. The number one has higher grade wood. Chambered for up to 3-inch magnum shells. Excellent mirror shiny bores, modified and quarter chokes, 28-inch barrels retaining a conservative 96% finish. it appears that there were two sets of barrels for this side-by-side at one time, as indicated by the number 1 on the barrels. we have tried to locate them with no luck so far. The coloring on the receiver is better than 98%, the engraving is beautiful. The trigger guard is thicker on the right side, set up for right-hand shooting. The bottom of the trigger guard is engraved with three letters, the previous owner’s initials. The stock shows only a few very light handling blemishes and would rate 96%. The leather recoil pad is in excellent condition. LOP is 14 inches to the front trigger. On the forend, there is a very small crack that there will be photographs taken of. It appears to be non-structural. If not for that, it would rate 96%. everything is tight, along with lockup being rock solid. A beautiful double with Nice balance. Weighs exactly 7 pounds.
AYA #2 Sidelock SxS Mfg for Orvis 12 ga No Reserve
Following this AYA No. 2 I posted yesterday, here’s another Spanish SxS that looks like it could be a good deal. The seller’s calling it a Grulla 215, which it appears be.
That means it was made to be a solid, affordable, nice, but not out of reach for most people. It looks a bit rough, but sound, and I get it would benefit from a good cleaning and tuneup. Because it’s a Grulla (one of Spain’s top makers), it should be a good deal and an even better bird gun.
Grulla 215 20 gauge 26-inch barrels ic/mod,
Grulla has been around since 1932, and many people consider them to be a step up from AYA or Arrieta. Maybe. I’ve seen a bunch of their guns, and I’ve always thought of them as some of the nicer doubles coming out of Eibar.
Arrieta is one of Spain’s oldest and most trusted gunmakers. For years, the 557 was their entry-level, no-frills sidelock side by side. Ever one of these I’ve seen has been sound and well made. Bought right, they can be a lot of gun for little money. And the one you see looks like it can be bought right.
I think brand new ones go for around $6500+, and the used ones I’ve seen with a lot of original condition are priced around $5400. So if this checks out, it’s a hell of deal at just $2,999.
Arrieta Model 557 16GA 29″ S X S
Arrieta Model 557 16GA 29″ S X S: This is a very nice gun. Comes with an Americase in good condition. Manual Safety. Hand detachable locks . Smooth concave top rib. Straight grip to checkered butt. Splinter Forend. 14 1/2″ Length Of Pull. 1 1/2″ drop at comb, 2 1/2″ drop at heel. Cast Off 3/8″ at heel, 1/2″ at toe. Pitch 4 degrees. Trigger Pulls 4 pounds each. Color-cased hardened Frame. Balance point at hinge pin. Finish slightly reddish in color English style. Hand detachable side locks, twin triggers. Gun has a few minor dings and dents on the stock. Price:$2,995
ARRIETA MODEL 871 16GA SIDE-BY-SIDE DOUBLE SHOTGUN
Arrieta is one of Spain’s best known gunmakers, and they’ve been making quality side-by-sides for decades. The 871 is there version of a Boss Round Body, and it features a sleek-looking rounded action and stock. William Larkin Moore lists a new 871 at $10,500, and I doubt it would be as nice as the one you see here.
Do you love the idea of ordering a bespoke shotgun? A lot of people do. But there can be a downside to a having a shotgun custom made just for you: After all your anticipating and money spent, what you specified on paper may not be what arrives at your door.
That’s one reason I like used doubles. With a used shotgun, you know what you’re getting (at least once your gunsmith has had a chance to look it over). Even if you buy a side-by-side or over-under online, you should be able to get your money back in a couple of weeks if there’s a problem.
12 gauge Arrieta Double Barrel Sidelock Shotgun
So you’re thinking about “bespeaking” a 12 gauge Spanish sidelock, I would take a long look at the Arrieta you see here instead. I’m not sure if it’s 557, a 570, or something between. But whatever model it is, it sure looks like a good deal for $2,999 – especially when you consider that a brand new 12 gauge 557 costs $4,999.
If you agree, now. This shotgun is at Gunauction.com, and the listing ends September 14, 2013 19:57:00 PT. Here’s more about it from the seller:
12 gauge Arrieta Double Barrel Sidelock Shotgun
12 gauge Arrieta Double Barrel Sidelock Shotgun: This elegant gun is one of Arrieta’s best guns! It’s a 7 pin Holland & Holland style lock. It has has a case colored receiver and is beautifully engraved with ultra fine scroll engraving, gold plated removable sidelocks, double trigger (front hinged), auto ejectors and so much more. Notice all the details like N/S screws, the beautiful case color, the fit of wood to metal and so on. This particular gun is “as built” with the exception of an added pad (owner is tall), no wood was cut off. It is a 12 bore choked light modified and improved modified. 6 pounds 12 ounces. Stats: LOP 15″, BBls 27&3/4″, DAH 2&1/4″, DAT 7&1/4″, OAL 45&1/4.
AyA, Aguirre Y Aranzabal Model No. 2 double barrel side-by-side shotgun
Aguirre y Aranzabal is one of Spain’s most famous gunmakers. The Model No. 2 side-by-side is one of their most popular double barrel shotguns.
AyA has been making the Holland-pattern No. 2 sidelock since the ’50s, and these side-by-sides are pretty easy to find on used. But most of the ones you see are in 12 gauge and 20 gauge. The really smallbores are harder to find, especially nice earlier ones like the 28 gauge you see here.
AyA, Aguirre Y Aranzabal Model No. 2 double barrel side-by-side shotgun
This one has a lot of nice features – a straight stock, 28″ barrels, lightweight, double triggers, and decent chokes. The price is pretty fair, too. If I were in the market for a 28g, I would take a long look at this one.
More about it from the seller:
EARLY AYA #2 28GA — 28″ MOD/FULL — FANTASTIC ORIGINAL GUN: BEAUTIFUL LITTLE EARLY (1979) AYA #2 28GA — 99% ORIGINAL CASE COLOR — SUPER DIMENSIONS — ARTICULATED FRONT TRIGGER – STRAIGHT HAND STOCK — CHECKERED BUTT — SINGLE FRONT BEAD — ALL ORIGINAL GUN THAT IS LIGHT AT 5LB 8 OZ — 28″ MOD/FULL .020/.040 — EJECTORS — SPLINTER FOREND WITH ANSON PUSH BUTTON RELEASE — FANTASTIC ENGRAVING BLUE AND COLOR — THESE EARLY GUNS WERE HAND ENGRAVED AND TRUE BONE CHARCOAL CASE HARDENED — Price: $4,950.00
BTW: If you’re interested in learning, more about AyA, check out this video:
