AYA sidelock

[bob lyons]

Would like to get consensus of the AYA shotgun, high end sidelock model.I handled one today and was quite impressed with the gun and the cost.

[Jeff langbehn]

They are like all guns some better than others I have owned a number of them some are truly fine guns jeff

[mikeschneider]

I own an AYA #2 20 gauge, like it very much. I would love a #1!

[SXS OHIO]

I searched a long time for a 410/28ga no.1 combo set. I understand they are hand engraved and thought I wanted one. Never found it. I did buy a Arrietta 410/28 model 803 7 pin side lock with self-openers. Both barrels are 28" long, DT-SG-SF, full coverage fine scroll hand engraved Spanish best gun. It gives me pleasure to own since a real English made gun like it is out of the question. I have no pictures that I can find so later on I will try to find time to load some. Snow and ice removal has become my full-time job here at my home and gun shop! SXS Ohio

[Clark McCombe]

Before investing in a AYA, take a look at this book. He advocates for the century of British guns up to about 1980. Very interesting, entertaining reading.

[Andy]

That looks like a neat book, gonna have to get that. As far as aYa, yeah, very nice guns and I've always wanted one. Could kick myself for not grabbing them when 12's were going for two grand and smaller bores for not much more. Hindsight sucks sometimes.

[Matt Buckley]

I own 3 of Diggory's books and they are great books. Besides the one Clark is showing I own his book on box locks and his book on hammer guns. Visit his website as well:
https://www.vintageguns.co.uk/

[Bill Murphy]

I bought a #2 28" .410 while they were not $8000. It's a great little gun. Looks like a Purdey and a hundred grand lower in price.

[ArtS]

Please don't flame me, but I want to give you my honest experience.

I grew up following Jack O'Conner. He was a rifle guy through and through (why I read everything he wrote; just never got the .270). He did however have a thing for Spanish shotguns. Due to that I dipped into the market when I could afford it. Many were AYA and many were other more expensive brands. I ended up losing my shirt with everything I bought. Keep in mind this was years ago and I was not buying worn out or trashed guns. There was no need to because you could hardly give them away. No one that I ever bought worked out for me for several different reasons, many needed some minor work and no gunsmith I found would touch them without complaining. I also lost tons of money when I let them go even though I had bought them at bargain prices. Getting them out of my possession was the problem.

My opinion was that they were built in an isolated market where appearance and flash was foremost and things like metallurgy and design was pretty much blacksmith and seat of pants and common to the guild style industry in the area. They would not stand up to the long haul. At no point in the last 60-65 years can I remember a time when it was not common to hear "the old ones had some problems but the new ones are marvelous guns". That may be true now but I have finally beaten that notion out of my head at great personal cost. Scott Clay in Montana seems to sell a lot of these on his auctions, maybe due to his connection with Holt's. They are always beautiful guns, good specs and look to close in the $2500-3500 range. I am not ever tempted. You can only be tempted so many times.

My advice is that you simply can't stand to not jump in, jump into something as new as possible.Things may have changed. Buying a "Vintage" Spanish gun is not the path to take.

[Andy]

I think the old Spanish guns and metal problems are pretty well known by now. Spanish Best by Weiland I think addresses this. There was a big dip in the market that is not now dipped, it's expensive to get a later model one. If I had my druthers I'd get a Perazzi SxS or something else with olive oil in its blood but I don't have that many druthers to spend.