New Guy

I recently purchased a 470 PH with upgraded engraving. I also have now a Krieghoff 500/416 and have access to a Merkel for comparison. The Searcy is a bargain. They work and shoot superbly. In the past I collected English double rifles and the dozen or so that crossed my hands were beautiful but not as accurate as my Searcy. I think Butch's guns are a bargain and for modest upgrades can be as elegant as you like.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Thanks to St. Ray of Leupold and Wood, another great mystery is solved!

Funny that, I've allways thought of Ray as an Old Devil

Guys,

I'd like to go back to what might have been a part of the original question ... how are the Field Grade and the PH different?

Please be assured reiterating this question is not intended to start a riot. It is not. I own a .470 Field Grade which I bought used in very, very good condition. Price was fair and about the time I bought it Butch introduced the PH ... and, frankly, its cost would have very much stressed my situation.

I am happy with the rifle, and delighted with Butch's service of the rifle. But ... I am curious about the newer rifles and how they are different from mine (serial number is BL004x).

Any observations from those that who have held both would be appreciated.

quote:

Originally posted by new_guy:

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
New Guy,
I have never seen a Searcy such as you describe, I know of a guy that had a Searcy worked over and he lived in your town and his gunsmith screwed it up big time, and that gun was in Butches shop and fit the description you describe, I gather the guy was mad as hell at Butch because Butch charged him a grand or so to fix it simply because the guy let his gunsmith screw it up...Its a coencedense that it was from your town so would that be the gun in question and is it yours or a friends gun? Just a thought

No, not my gun... not a friends gun, just one that I ran across for sale. However, if it fits the description - it could be the same gun.

The guy that owns it didn't mention any problems or opinions of Butch or the rifle.

Its good to see Ray was able to directly answer the query, both in personal experience of the rifles, and just possibily knowledge of the actual rifle in question.

The field grade is/was a direct ansen and deely action, that was a little chunky and thick in places. Had heavy swags on the sides, and could be ordered with a doll's head, at least in 577 and up. This was a very traditional, nearly scottish, build of an early style double..

Think scottish 1900, that might have been then over engineered by some germans, then finalized in america.

The PH is a completely different approach. I have NOT handled a PH, so I am speaking from pictures. The action is more elegant, slimmed down, and streamlined. IIRC, the intention was to become more european in final appearance, and still be an american gun.

I do know that the articulated triggers on the PH were a very expensive option on the field grade, and, in fact, make the ph even more of a value. Anyone with thick fingers knows first hand the "joy" of having the front trigger smash in the the middle finger.


Both are excellent guns, but I feel that the ph, with it's design and cosmetic improvements, is one hell of a value

jeffe

Unfortunately the articulated trigger is an option on the PH and is standard on the deluxe.

Another unfortunate circumstance is that the intercepting sears are also a deluxe item.

You can only get so much for your $.

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by JPK:
Unfortunately the articulated trigger is an option on the PH and is standard on the deluxe.

Another unfortunate circumstance is that the intercepting sears are also a deluxe item.

You can only get so much for your $.

JPK

C'mon here. You are getting a darned good rifle for a very good price and you complain the deal isn't better? How about if he included intercepting sears and the hinged trigger and just charged $16000 instead?

It might still be a good deal.

Mickey,

I wasn't bitching, merely stating a fact.

I agree that the PH is a good deal. Not so sure about the deluxe. I wonder, regarding the deluxe, if it isn't better to spend a couple thousand more and get the sidelock. Then again, the sidelock is nearly two PH's and into the realm of a good English double, so back to the PH and its "shortcomings".

I too have had a chat with Butch about building a rifle. Seems that he's enjoying a run on his rifles. Good for him, good product, good price great service.

On the articulated trigger; I have a question that you might be able to answer. All of my two trigger guns have articulated triggers. I don't think that my finger has ever come into contact with the front trigger because I've never sensed it. Is this likely the case or has the articulated trigger performed so well that I don't notice it? The guns run from twelve gauge to ten gauge shotguns and my double rifle too.

JPK

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Thanks to St. Ray of Leupold and Wood, another great mystery is solved!

Ray's new tag line?