New HEYM Splinter Forend

03 December 2015, 02:49

new_guy

We’re always listening to our customers, and a smaller, slimmer, shorter forend has been requested by many.

Just taking a little more wood off was not a viable solution… to do it correctly, the entire forend had to be re-scaled to ensure that it was proportionally correct.

This meant that a new forend latch had to be designed to allow for the proper taper (from the bottom of the forend up to the barrels). The radius was also changed in the latch to allow for a forend smaller in diameter and more rounded.

Overall, there is a pretty substantial reduction. It is slimmer, more narrow, more rounded and about 1.5” shorter than the previous version.

This new forend will be available on all 2016 rifles, and we will have examples at the Shows next month.

Here it is shown before checkering.

03 December 2015, 03:03

Heym 450/400

Stop it!!!

Before I have to order another rifle

03 December 2015, 04:02

ozhunter

03 December 2015, 04:14

Biebs

Nice modification...I was worried that the existing forend would have been too wide on my future 577 :-)

03 December 2015, 04:26

MJines

Looking good.

03 December 2015, 06:14

Todd Williams

It's getting there. Looks nice.

03 December 2015, 07:18

Big Wonderful Wyoming

Top Gear would call that a glimpse up a skirt. I'd probably agree.

Nice stuff.

03 December 2015, 21:26

nopride2

That's more like it.

Dave

04 December 2015, 02:50

MacD37

.............

Every time I see a new Heym double rifle they look more and more like it was made by one of the top makers in the UK!

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Very nice Chris!

04 December 2015, 07:29

lavaca

I like it very much. Now if you really listen to your customers, lose the nickel silver and replace it with colour case and a 26" barreled .500 would be just about irresistible.

04 December 2015, 08:17

cal pappas

'bout time!
Cal

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04 December 2015, 15:32

Rusty

Very nice!

Rusty
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04 December 2015, 19:41

Todd Williams

While an improvement, hence my statement that, "It's getting there", I'd still like to see something smaller in terms of a splinter. It's amazing to me that modern DR builders are so reluctant to build a "traditional" stocked rifle when there is a push to do so. My VC's "splinter" is an improvement over the horrid beavertails but it still left a lot to be desired. They have since built a more WR themed rifle which finally gets the proper look, IMO of course.

I still find the WR style splinter to be the most pleasing. Granted, I felt quite different about them when I first became interested in double rifles. I'd like to see the the Heym with about 3 more inches knocked off that forearm and the sights set a bit further back to match.

Something like this is most pleasing to my eye. As always, YMMV.

04 December 2015, 20:00

Heym 450/400

I agree with Mr. Williams

I can't figure out why its so hard to just copy the best DR stock designs from H&H, WR, Purdey and others. When will they finally understand 99% of DR buyers simply want the damn rifle to look like its supposed to and yes is supposed to look like a British double because I said so

When they finally figure it out..I'll buy two

05 December 2015, 17:49

new_guy

Personally, I think the shape of the forend is as important to the lines of the rifle, but I would be interested to see if we can come up with the "perfect" forend length here.

Measure your favorite from the end of the forend iron to the tip of the wood.

How long is it?

05 December 2015, 18:31

Heym 450/400

I suspect Heym didn't randomly come up with a new forend length by throwing darts at the wall

So I'm going to take a guess that your new forend length and shape is exactly the same as some of the British makers or maker. As far as 3" shorter that Mr. Williams makes reference to, that would be too short for my tastes. I suspect WR splinter is not 3" shorter than the one you posted. I wasn't complaining about the rifle you posted just the general reluctance for makers like Heym to "get there".

More importantly what is the price on the rifle pictured above?...I feel like its time for an upgrade

05 December 2015, 19:06

MJines

quote:
Originally posted by new_guy:

Measure your favorite from the end of the forend iron to the tip of the wood.

How long is it?

Manton 8"
Lang 8"
Boswell 7 3/4"
Holland 8 1/2"

Seems to definitely be a "sweet spot" among the makers. First three are lever releases, last is an Anson release which may explain the extra length (I did not measure to the tip of the plunger, just to the end of the wood). Of course, the Heym is a Deeley release.

Just eyeballing the picture, assuming the rifle has 24" barrels, I would say that forearm is right at 8", maybe a tad shorter.

05 December 2015, 19:20

new_guy

quote:
Originally posted by Heym 450/400:
I suspect Heym didn't randomly come up with a new forend length by throwing darts at the wall

quote:
I'm going to take a guess that your new forend length and shape is exactly the same as some of the British makers or maker.

You, sir, are wise beyond your years.

05 December 2015, 20:12

shootaway

I never would have thought that after firing 4 repeated shots at an ele that the barrels would get so hot that I could barely touch them.I like the one on my Searcy.There is some wood there that I could grip if things get hot.The new one on the Heym looks good too.

05 December 2015, 21:13

tendrams

Looks great. My OCD goes nuts though when I don't see the sights centered on the wood. Just me though...no reason for it except the OCD.

05 December 2015, 21:25

Todd Williams

Anyone have a WR to measure. Adam?

When I said 3" off, I was estimating where the front of the release is to make it look more like this:

Yep, the WR seems to be a bit shorter than the H&H, at least visually. An actual measurement may prove different but to my personal taste, the WR rifles look best.

Chris, what is the exact measurement on the new forend?

05 December 2015, 22:17

Heym 450/400

quote:
Originally posted by Todd Williams:
Anyone have a WR to measure. Adam?

When I said 3" off, I was estimating where the front of the release is to make it look more like this:

Yep, the WR seems to be a bit shorter than the H&H, at least visually. An actual measurement may prove different but to my personal taste, the WR rifles look best.

Chris, what is the exact measurement on the new forend?

The WR seems to have the sights set back on the barrels more than H&H typically has and I'm not sure if the forend is actually shorter or if its just thinner up front...but yes its definitly a different look.
I prefer the slightly longer, thicker look that H&H or Purdey has.

05 December 2015, 22:48

Todd Williams

Yep, could just be thinner. The taper is certainly more pronounced.

And as I stated earlier, I didn't like the look at first but the more I'm around DRs, this is what my tastes have evolved to.

06 December 2015, 01:26

new_guy

The rear sight is moved forward for faster sight acquisition, but that's a personal preference... just tell us how far you want the rear sight from the muzzle, and we'll accomodate.

06 December 2015, 01:53

mdstewart

I actually think Heym finally got it right this time. Not as thin as some, but elegant and effective. The wood on that pic is awesome as well. That's a DR I could live with.

JP Sauer Drilling 12x12x9.3x72
David Murray Scottish Hammer 12 Bore
Alex Henry 500/450 Double Rifle
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock 6.5x55
Steyr Classic Mannlicher Fullstock .30-06
Walther PPQ H2 9mm
Walther PPS M2
Cogswell & Harrison Hammer 12 Bore Damascus
And Too Many More

06 December 2015, 04:02

A.Dahlgren

could we get some more angles and someone holding it? And price

06 December 2015, 04:56

jorge

quote:
Originally posted by mdstewart:
I actually think Heym finally got it right this time. Not as thin as some, but elegant and effective. The wood on that pic is awesome as well. That's a DR I could live with.

Very nice indeed. Since we're "wishing", figure out a way to get rid of the notched receiver and we're even closer...

06 December 2015, 15:10

ozhunter

quote:
Originally posted by Todd Williams:
While an improvement, hence my statement that, "It's getting there", I'd still like to see something smaller in terms of a splinter. It's amazing to me that modern DR builders are so reluctant to build a "traditional" stocked rifle when there is a push to do so. My VC's "splinter" is an improvement over the horrid beavertails but it still left a lot to be desired. They have since built a more WR themed rifle which finally gets the proper look, IMO of course.

I still find the WR style splinter to be the most pleasing. Granted, I felt quite different about them when I first became interested in double rifles. I'd like to see the the Heym with about 3 more inches knocked off that forearm and the sights set a bit further back to match.

Something like this is most pleasing to my eye. As always, YMMV.

It must difficult to achieve this short tapered foreend with the modern trend of small actions. On the Heym large action this should be easier.
I do like the minimal rib for the rear sights on those two. Makes for quicker sighting down the barrels like a shotgun.
As MJines noted, 18" or around 180mm to 220mm would be ideal.

06 December 2015, 16:10

shootaway

I think the forearm stock and the whole stock on the WR is not english but German.It is a weird copy of the Obendorf Mauser.Asking Heym to make the stock on the double more english is a joke,IMO.They should make it more German-like an Obendorf Mauser stock with a small forearm but not too small-just right.

06 December 2015, 18:45

Heym 450/400

quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
I think the forearm stock and the whole stock on the WR is not english but German.It is a weird copy of the Obendorf Mauser.Asking Heym to make the stock on the double more english is a joke,IMO.They should make it more German-like an Obendorf Mauser stock with a small forearm but not too small-just right.

Don't Oberndorf Mausers typically have a schnabel forend tip?

06 December 2015, 20:08

shootaway

I don't think so.Even if they do it is the general shape that is copied.

07 December 2015, 10:27

MacD37

quote:
Originally posted by shootaway:
I think the forearm stock and the whole stock on the WR is not english but German.It is a weird copy of the Obendorf Mauser.Asking Heym to make the stock on the double more english is a joke,IMO.They should make it more German-like an Obendorf Mauser stock with a small forearm but not too small-just right.

George, The Westley Richards stocks are about as English as you can get! Certainly not Germanic style!

I have a Westley Richards 500-450 double that looks exactly like the last two WR rifles posted by Todd with the exception that mine has two triggers like the first one he posted.

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08 December 2015, 17:55

Clan_Colla

quote:
Originally posted by lavaca:
I like it very much. Now if you really listen to your customers, lose the nickel silver and replace it with colour case and a 26" barreled .500 would be just about irresistible.

Although the titanium nitride receiver coating is Heym's standard offering. I ordered both of my rifles with blued receivers a standard option as I recall.

My third rifle (just ordered)will have a cased colored receiver.

Both my rifles wear 26" barrels , which as I recall is the standard , but they offer other lengths as standard options.

I find the forend on my current rifles quite comfortable, thought the pending rifle will have the new splinter.

I find the rear sight placement, with my aging eyes, to be about the right distance.

08 December 2015, 19:40

Heym 450/400

Maybe Chris can jump in here but does anyone know if 28" barrels are available. I really like the longer barrels of some of the older doubles I've seen. 26" is a nice length but I wouldn't want any shorter. 28" is about perfect for my taste.

08 December 2015, 21:07

new_guy

quote:
Originally posted by Heym 450/400:
Maybe Chris can jump in here but does anyone know if 28" barrels are available. I really like the longer barrels of some of the older doubles I've seen. 26" is a nice length but I wouldn't want any shorter. 28" is about perfect for my taste.

Yes, we can do 28" barrels.

08 December 2015, 23:15

Zephyr

28" barrels on a 1905 Gibbs 450NE

09 December 2015, 02:46

Heym 450/400

Thats a really nice looking double...28" just seems right to me.. Congrats on a great rifle and even better trophy!

09 December 2015, 02:48

MacD37

My Westley Richards 500-450 has 28 inch barrels and it does swing nicely, but I personally prefer 24 inch barrels.

The 28 inch barrels are a throw back to the black powder days when long barrels were needed for black powder. Most of the nitro doubles with 28 inch barrels were made just about the time the transition from black to nitro between 1898 and 1910. Then the move to 26 inch barrels till about 1950s/60s when most went to 24 inch unless ordered with longer barrels.

It is simply a matter of choice today, but 28 inch barrels in a new order is not common with a few requesting 26inch.

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