AYA No1
-
34
Comments
- Last updated: 15/12/2016
The Aguirre y Aranzabal (AyA) test gun came from the extensive stock of the West London Gun Room who have often helped us with our gun testing (and my particular thanks to Martin Chapman there). AyA guns are, of course, imported into the UK by ASI of Snape, Suffolk, a long established firm who have been bringing in Spanish made copies of English guns since the 1950s. The No. 1 sells at 11K. This is quite a considerable sum, the Euro did us no favour in the recent past either; it will be interesting to see if it’s fall is reflected in changes to retail gun prices, somehow, I rather doubt it, but it may prevent excessive price increases on Italian and Spanish guns looking more positively.
The AyA No.1 meantime is a well-known gun in the UK (the No.2 has a RRP of £5,290 and must now be one of the most popular game shooting side by sides in Britain). The history of the gun is that the King brothers went to Spain in the 50s and took amongst other English guns a Holland & Holland with them. They wanted AyA to copy it, which they did. The No.1 and 2 are mechanically the same gun and both are frankly inspired by the H&H original (although H&H guns do not usually have the disk set strikers, which are a feature of AyA). The test gun, moreover, is a self-opener working on the H&H spring plunger principle, with the mechanism in a tube beneath the barrels revealed when the forend is removed.
First Impressions
AyA Guns are available in 410, 28, 20, 16 and 12 bore. They are built on dedicated actions too. Our test gun is a 20 bore model with 28” barrels and a traditional concave rib. It is in form and proportion a classic English game gun (albeit one made in Spain). If I was to pick I would note that the engraving was a little ordinary in execution – though rose and scroll is one of my favourite patterns – and the colour case hardening was competent without being inspiring.
The shapes and proportions, as noted, are good. This 20 weighs something over 6 1/4 lbs with its longish 15” stock and 28” tubes. It comes to face and shoulder effortlessly and I liked the classic straight grip - usually the best pattern for a double trigger gun. A 15” stock is my ideal length for a 20, 1/8” longer than my preference for a heavier 12 conforming to the old gunfitters’ lore (which also had the stock of Big Bertha wildfowling guns made shorter).
As I have said before, it is a question of what feels right. Don’t think that you can take one set of dimensions and apply them to all your guns – it’s a myth. Long, heavy guns, by way of example, may not only want to be shorter, they may also need to be a little higher in the comb to compensate for the weight of the barrels.
The No.I balances very well, as one expects from a bench-made sidelock with hand struck barrels. The balance point is almost on the hinge pin as it should be in most (but not all) cases with a game gun. There is a nice sensation of mass between the hands, and the barrels are not too ponderous. I often play with the balance of my own guns. This can be done simply with over and unders by taking the pad off and introducing a little weight behind by some means (I often cut off the front section of a cartridge to get an extra ounce). With traditionally stocked side by sides one may drill a hole in the butt and pour molten lead in (though the proper gunmakers way is to mould the lead into a rod first, tap it in and cap it). A well balanced gun always feels good, and often lighter, even when you have made it a little heavier to get it to balance out.
Returning to our test gun. It has good dynamic qualities as well as very conventional spec. The chopper lump barrels have fixed chokes at quarter and half (ideal for this sort of gun). The AyA is chambered for 2 ¾” (70mm) cartridges and proofed in Spain at the high figure of 1370 BAR. The barrels were bored at 15.9 unless my memory fails me. The barrels are well presented as you would expect them to be and are well blacked too; AyA black, like that from Beretta and Browning, seems very long-lasting. Forcing cones are a bit short, as they usually are on Spanish side by sides. The sighting rib is of traditional concave pattern.
The action body of the No.1 (like the No.2) is based on a forging. It is of Holland & Holland mechanical type as discussed which is in essence an amalgam of all things good. It was introduced in its modern form in the 1890s (the Purdey Beesley sidelock of 1880 being the first really good hammerless guns of this type). The gun also has the excellent and simple Southgate ejector system which operates on the over centre principle. The locks, like all quality sidelocks, have intercepting safety sears. The internal work is good – no skimping here. This is a high grade gun.
The No. 1 is hand engraved and generally well finished with good machining and filing up. The form of the triggers (the front being articulated) was good, though I thought that they might have been a little slimmer. There are disc set strikers as one sees in most AyAs, and a Purdey style, ‘button’ safety, a very practical design when one has cold or wet hands. It is automatic in function as one needs on a game gun. The gold line cocking indicators on the tumbler axle look good too. Another bonus is that this gun has quick detachable locks, provided one is not tempted to remove them too often.
Quality Woodwork
This AyA has upgraded wood but is a little light in colour. The stock is well designed and finished and quite slim in comb and grip. The splinter forend is not too small. There is a gold oval and the overall level of finish is good with competent chequering and a decent traditional oil finish. It is quite slim as noted – more refined than the Spanish average – and suits the gun well. As for the shelf measurements, I could not fault them at 1 ½” and 2 1/8” for drop, a little cast-off for a right-hander, and a good stock length. Dix points here.
Shooting Impressions
The AyA No.1 scored in the shooting department. I shot with Martin Chapman of West London and we did not miss much (or anything) between us. We did not take the gun to the high tower but used it on 40 and 70 foot towers at the ground where it was crisp and intuitive in use – a good gun. We also managed to bag a considerable number of simulated partridges. Overall? A well conceived, good shooting gun, generally well presented, but getting pricey.
West London Shooting Schools shop may be contacted on 0208 845 1377 (website www.shootingschool.co.uk ).
PRICE: £11,000 including VAT
CONTACT: ASI 01728 688555, website at www.a-s-i.co.uk
34 Comments
brand cozaar 50mg - <a href="https://losartann.com/">losartan 50mg over the counter</a> oral promethazine
Zytkcn
29 Jun 2022 at 04:33 PMorder clopidogrel 150mg for sale - <a href="https://tmethotrexate.com/">methotrexate order online</a> metoclopramide 20mg usa
Iczjby
27 Jun 2022 at 11:41 PMcyclobenzaprine 15mg pills - <a href="https://rketorolac.com/">toradol 10mg over the counter</a> inderal 20mg canada
Ebrexe
26 Jun 2022 at 06:13 AMaccutane usa - <a href="https://risotretinoin.com/">oral isotretinoin</a> purchase tetracycline pill
Yiecib
24 Jun 2022 at 01:16 PMbuy modafinil 200mg pills - <a href="https://prednispill.com/">deltasone 20mg generic</a> rhinocort online
Ynyubp
22 Jun 2022 at 04:09 PMfemale viagra sildenafil - <a href="https://rsildenafilr.com/">sildenafil over counter</a> overnight delivery for cialis
Tuafgx
21 Jun 2022 at 04:08 AMbuy cenforce for sale - <a href="https://xezetimibe.com/">ezetimibe oral</a> generic motilium 10mg
Vugsck
19 Jun 2022 at 07:19 PMcialis us - <a href="https://edtadxs.com/">cialis 10mg oral</a> viagra 50mg over the counter
Pkqjxh
14 Jun 2022 at 07:21 PMgeneric synthroid 150mcg - <a href="https://triamcinol.store/">triamcinolone 4mg cheap</a> generic plaquenil
Hffujn
13 Jun 2022 at 07:43 AMbuy albuterol 4mg online - <a href="https://albuterola.store/">order albuterol sale</a> buy priligy online
Hxperg
11 Jun 2022 at 07:54 PMvardenafil usa - <a href="https://clomiphene.store/">clomiphene 100mg over the counter</a> clomiphene over the counter
Vnrqoo
10 Jun 2022 at 04:58 AMorder lisinopril online cheap - <a href="https://metoprololpx.com/">order metoprolol 100mg without prescription</a> tenormin 100mg over the counter
Dhfyac
08 Jun 2022 at 05:06 PMbuy metformin 1000mg - <a href="https://atorvastatin.store/">brand lipitor 40mg</a> brand amlodipine
Gurpth
07 Jun 2022 at 04:21 AMplaquenil 200mg tablet - <a href="https://baricitinib.store/">baricitinib us</a> buy generic baricitinib 4mg
Wvyuvp
05 Jun 2022 at 03:04 PMfurosemide 40mg drug - <a href="https://doxycyclinet.com/">doxycycline ca</a> ivermectin generic name
Djjkog
04 Jun 2022 at 12:18 AMbuy prednisolone 5mg without prescription - <a href="https://predsolone.store/">prednisolone 5mg price</a> sildenafil cost
Hrhffw
02 Jun 2022 at 08:06 AMamoxicillin 1000mg over the counter - <a href="https://amoxill.store/">amoxil 500mg for sale</a> generic viagra 50mg
Twnwaj
31 May 2022 at 05:39 PMdeltasone generic - <a href="https://edpill.store/">best ed pills non prescription</a> generic isotretinoin 40mg
Gdtgqb
30 May 2022 at 08:36 AMtadalafil 10mg pill - <a href="https://pharmpill.store/">cheap online pharmacy</a> modafinil 100mg for sale
Iongnu
28 May 2022 at 11:39 PMorder doxycycline 100mg online - <a href="https://doxycyclineg.store/">buy doxycycline 200mg pill</a> online cialis
Bgtzha
27 May 2022 at 03:09 AMivermectin 3mg tab - <a href="https://vardenafilxn.store/">vardenafil over the counter</a> order vardenafil 10mg pill
Qrrhlk
25 May 2022 at 01:36 PMgeneric amoxicillin 250mg - <a href="https://amoxicillinc.store/">order amoxil 250mg generic</a> vardenafil 10mg us
Efvbrj
24 May 2022 at 05:20 AMbuy acillin pill - <a href="https://tadalafixpls.com/">generic tadalafil</a> tadalafil 5mg
Qffsro
22 May 2022 at 02:50 AMorder ceftin 250mg without prescription - <a href="https://xcialis.store/">tadalafil for sale</a> tadalafil 5mg uk
Gztnmr
20 May 2022 at 05:23 PMpurchase rhinocort pills - <a href="https://xbudesonide.quest/">buy generic rhinocort</a> antabuse 250mg without prescription
Orezxe
19 May 2022 at 05:46 AMpurchase fildena - <a href="https://stromectolx.store/">ivermectin new zealand</a> buy stromectol 6mg
Mubynv
17 May 2022 at 05:26 PMorder cephalexin sale - <a href="https://xerythromycin.store/">oral erythromycin 250mg</a> buy erythromycin pill
Hspjxb
15 May 2022 at 06:48 PMorder bactrim pills - <a href="https://xsildenafil.store/">purchase viagra pill</a> viagra 50mg pill
Wwuhuv
13 May 2022 at 02:24 PMorder augmentin 375mg for sale - <a href="https://flagylgn.store/">cost cialis 40mg</a> tadalafil 40mg canada
Bkrrgu
11 May 2022 at 06:09 AMprednisolone pill - <a href="https://prednisolonex.store/">buy generic prednisolone 10mg</a> purchase cialis pills
Fsirxi
08 May 2022 at 02:36 PMsildenafil for men - <a href="https://bestusasild.com/">sildenafil 50mg brand</a> cheap viagra 100mg
Tiwukl
06 May 2022 at 09:58 AMit does have a marking its painted in gold on the gun in several places. both on the barrel and on the stock of the gun by the safety switch
bryan
02 Apr 2018 at 07:25 PMI am the happy owner of a AYA No.1, it’s so well balanced and light but you don’t feel the recoil, i had so other side by side guns in my time but they don’t come close to the aya top guns, except the English made guns by example Holland & Holland , Purdey , Williams, and others but the price group is somewhere between the sun and the moon for a average hunter who wants a spectacular gun that lasts a lifetime. I was very lucky to purchase a second hand gun that was absolutely like new as well the mechanics and the appearance, the ejectors throws the used shells about 3-4 meters away from the gun , so it’s very easy to load fast. I am enjoying it every time my friend and I are going out for a bag day , or it’s a pheasant shoot I just love the gun, my friend has a gorgeous No..53 and it’s a blast to go hunting him and me with a good dog , we always have a good time and the guns never fail , I can only recommend the AYA shotguns they are so well made.
Best Regards
Claus Nielsen
Claus Nielsen
26 Aug 2017 at 06:25 AMHi can you tell me if a aya no 1 is marked in any way, ie is no1 engraved on it or do i have to research the serial number thanks chris v
chris vine
30 Apr 2017 at 11:24 PM