I expect to get 90% or more votes for Searcy, but I am asking specifically due to the similarity in price between the PH and the Big Five. Most folks tend to describe the Krieghoff as a more non-traditional double than the Searcy because of the combi-cocking feature (old design, just never used much?). Thoughts? The Krieghoff may also garner some bad vibes due to the BreakO recoil reducer, although no one has mentioned this in what I have read so far. Thoughts? Also, is the BreaKO a mercury tube, or something new?

I posted a few years back that I thought 50% of the good folks here worked for Searcy and the other 50% worked for Tuff Pack

Any way, BreakO is a mercury tube recoil reducer. Krieghoff actualy recomended one, more for balance than anything else.

I really like the combi-cocking feature especially from the saftey aspect. In DG country, I always have my double 470 (Krieghoff)and my 416 with me, which means one of the crew is carrying one of my rifles. The double is always ready to go with cartridges in the chambers without the worry of it going off by accident.

I have practiced enough with the Krieghoff to insure that when the double is shouldered, it is cocked and ready to go. It has become an automatic response.

im a big searcy fan you definitly get your moneys worth i have owed both a 500 nitro ph and 700 nitro box lock under lever and i cant recommend his rifles enough.

Setting everything else aside, the Krieghoff cocking thing is clearly slower than the Searcy traditional safety. That is a disadvantage in a DGR, IMO.

If for any reason you have a problem with your Searcy, just UPS it to California where the lifetime warranty will be honored.

Also, Searcy doubles are very accurate. Maybe Krieghoffs are too - I don't know.

500grains, what is the process of the combi-cockling that makes it slower than a traditional safety? Thanks all for the input.

Weak thumb

Hunt with Con VanWyck and you will see some real speed with his Kreighoff. I think it is just a matter of practice. No much different than getting used to a double trigger. Seems to me much safer than the usual safety.

quote:

Originally posted by Eagle11:
500grains, what is the process of the combi-cockling that makes it slower than a traditional safety? Thanks all for the input.

It requires more force, has a longer travel, and seems to actuate some sort of camming action. So it takes more time than a traditional safety. And sometimes a little bit of time can make a lot of difference.

Kreighoff's aren't for me, I prefer thw traditional safety. But I hunt with a lot of traditional tang safety shotguns.

But,I believe it is a matter of personal preference and what you become accustomed too.

BTW, a traditional double with intercepting sears and a bolted safety is,IMO, safer than a Kreighoff when the bolted safety is in use and has the bonus option of having the bolt off so the traditional safety is ready to go when in contact with game.

JPK

IMO with a Kreighoff you are paying a lot more than people in Europe for the same rifle. You have to pay all the Middle Men to get it in the US and also there is the bad currency conversion. This makes a rifle that would really cost 8K cost 11K when all is said and done. With Searcy you don't pay a bunch of middle men because you buy from Butch. Also there is no currency conversion.

For me the Searcy is a handmade DR. The Kreighoff seems to me to be more of a mass produced gun. I am not sure if this is the case but it is what it feels like to me. Also the Searcy is built to fit you while the Kreighoffs are made to fit everyone.

I do like the cocker/decocker on the Kreighoffs. I also think that with practice it can be just as quick as a traditional safety. Not to mention how much safer it is. It is a very good feature and with more fine tuning should be even better.

Based on the whole package I prefer the Searcy and thats why I ordered one. That new Classic is SWEEEEEEEEET. But it really depends on which YOU like better. They are both fine rifles.

Double rifles in Europe are "usually" the same price as the states.

$7500-9500 is typical. For the Kreighoff on both sides of the Atlantic, a few folks will have them priced higher.

If I had bought a 470 NE Kreighoff or Blaser instead of the 9.3x74 I would still own it.

They're both great-just pick one. I went with Krieghoff, but not with a lot of conviction that is is better than a Searcy. I like the safety (YMMV), and the Searcy PH felt a bit clubby to me, plus like a spoiled kid I wanted it NOW, and didn't want to wait. I like the stock on the Krieghoff, but again that is a very personal thing. The Krieghoff has been suprisingly accurate, but from what I understand the Searcys are as well. Searcy's new Classic is supposed to be more graceful-it may have pushed me in the other direction!

quote:

Originally posted by 500grains:
Setting everything else aside, the Krieghoff cocking thing is clearly slower than the Searcy traditional safety. That is a disadvantage in a DGR, IMO.

The searcy is the better value.

the Krieghoff patented cocking piece is
1: safer to carry
2: an anti doubling mechanism
3: can be uncocked (and recocked) as the situation changes

like most things, it's a matter of training and taste.


I think a searcy with that mechanism would be amazing, as I don't trust safeties

jeffe

quote:

BTW, a traditional double with intercepting sears and a bolted safety is,IMO, safer than a Kreighoff when the bolted safety is in use and has the bonus option of having the bolt off so the traditional safety is ready to go when in contact with game.

Let's see here, One is uncocked, the other is cocked with saftey on, but it is safer? We all have our preferences, likes and dislikes, but lets deal only in fact.