I am feeling sorely tempted by some of the used 12- and 16-gauge doubles from Germany, Belgium and Sweden that I see on the Net. I'm talking Merkels, Simsons, Sauers, Husqvarnas and others.
I have had a couple of the Husqvarna underlevers, and they are a lot of fun, but I think I'd like to try a more conventional German double, perhaps from someone like Blackbern.
Who has had good luck buying a double they have never shouldered?
I know I need to pay attention to length of pull and drop at comb and heel. Anything else to look for? I am about 5'10, 170, moderately high cheekbone.

Most Euro guns will have pretty std modern dimensions for drop. 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 or very close to it.
For me the LOP is the most critical, I shoot best with a 15" or a little more. Finding a older gun with that LOP is a challenge.
I started buying the recoil pads at the link below for my own use but now carry them on a regular basis.
http://www.kebcollc.com/cart/s...6&action=show_detail
The big advantage is there extremely light weight, many pads weight 3x as much and can really effect the balance. Balance of a SXS or O/U field gun is important. A gun that is butt heavy will never be able to swing well.

Thanks Ken. Agree that a heavy pad like an old Pachmayr can foul up the balance of a double. I think in an upland gun, anything from 14 3/8 to 14 3/4 would work for me, based on measuring some guns at hand. Think I can handle 2 1/2 at the heel, although 2 1/4 might be perfect for me. Will give a shout to Carl.
I was concerned because I once briefly owned a Belgian Janssen et Fils 12-gauge double made in the 50s or early 60s, and the knife-edged, upward-jutting comb wanted to do surgical thin sections on my face every time I shot it.

You need to look at RST shells.

http://www.rstshells.com/

Only shells I use for upland hunting, a 1oz load of 5's kill pheasants dead and almost no recoil.
Use 2 1/2" 12 and 16ga and 2 3/4" 12ga.
The best thing you can do for your shooting is "just say no" to cheap promo shells. They are cheap for a reason and generally kick like crazy.

Bill,

One thing to check on for old doubels is barrel wall thickness. Many have been abused and had pitted bores. They were then honed out reducing barrel wall thickness. Personally, I wouldn't mess with any with barrel wall thicknesses less than .028".

465H&H