searcy classic pics

17 February 2006, 09:35

N E 450 No2

John Air
I have handled several Searcy doubles over the years. IMHO the classic is his best work yet.

Sorry 577 NE but I have a thing for color case hardened receivers.

17 February 2006, 16:43

JohnAir

Thanks 308 Sako and 450 NE No2. I am very excited and happy about this rifle. I have the feeling that they are worth quite a bit more than Butch is charging for them. I wonder what they would sell for if a London gunmakers name were on the very same gun.

17 February 2006, 17:19

577NitroExpress

Tony, ok. I'll let it go...b/c i too love the look of CCH!

Also, those pictures are pretty, but having seen and held one at DSC, I can tell you that the rifle looks even nicer in person.

Butch did a damn fine job on this line of rifle!

17 February 2006, 21:13

Brett

Is Doug Turnbull doing the Case Colors? It looks like his work and considering that both he and Searcy are in Sturgus it seems natural.

Brett

17 February 2006, 21:29

new_guy

When did Doug move to Sturgis?

Also, what's that white area between the barrel and rib?

Extra solder?

18 February 2006, 00:35

MacD37

quote:
Originally posted by new_guy:
When did Doug move to Sturgis?

Also, what's that white area between the barrel and rib?

Extra solder?

It might be some that was missed in the carding! My guess is, however, that it is wax from waxing the barrels, and action so people could handle it at the shows, without leaving finger rust. The one in the picture is the only one in existance today, I believe, and if it is, it is a 450/400NE 3". I handled this rifle quite a bit at the Dallas show, and it fit me perfectly. I collect Westley Richards doubles, and this Classic handles every bit as well. If he would have sold this rifle to me at the show, I would have bought it in a heartbeat! Unfortunetly, it was already sold!

....Mac >>>===(x)===> MacD37, ...and DUGABOY1
DRSS Charter member
"If I die today, I've had a life well spent, for I've been to see the Elephant, and smelled the smoke of Africa!"~ME 1982

Hands of Old Elmer Keith

18 February 2006, 00:59

new_guy

wax, huh?

I saw and handled that gun at the DSC too, along with the Deluxe model and the sidelock underlever.

All three seemed to have "wax" between the ribs and barrels.

I've pointed this out before, but apparently something must be wrong with my eyes - as I'm the only person that seems to be able to see the extra solder that is consistently left behind on guns that cost 11-20K.

18 February 2006, 01:08

Brad_Rolston

Congratulations, and many successful hunts with it.

Brad

18 February 2006, 01:49

MHC_TX

I have one ordered too - only it will be a 470NE. Can't wait!!

18 February 2006, 03:30

MacD37

quote:
Originally posted by new_guy:
wax, huh?

I saw and handled that gun at the DSC too, along with the Deluxe model and the sidelock underlever.

All three seemed to have "wax" between the ribs and barrels.

I've pointed this out before, but apparently something must be wrong with my eyes - as I'm the only person that seems to be able to see the extra solder that is consistently left behind on guns that cost 11-20K.

You may very well be right New_Guy, I'm not saying otherwise! I just didn't see it till you pointed it out in the picture!

18 February 2006, 04:28

JohnAir

New guy,
why the attitude? If you donÂ´t think it is the best double for the money then buy something else. So much the better because when Mr. Searcy has more orders than he can fill the price is going to go up. With all the sales I have heard about recently I wouldnÂ´t be surprised if that happened very soon. Please donÂ´t take this the wrong way. I just thought I noticed a bit of ... welll.... attitude.

Brad,
Thanks. I plan on enjoying it to the fullest.

John

18 February 2006, 05:20

new_guy

Sorry, John. No attitude intended and no offense taken.

IMO, attention to detail is one of the hallmarks of double rifles (fit, finish, function, and accuracy, etc...)

Anyway you slice it, 10K (or 2x-that) is a lot of money, and that kind of money justifies an extra hour to finish the job correctly... (IMO) when making DR barrels, that means removing the excess solder/flux or whatever is keeping the steel from taking the rust/blue like the rest of the barrels.

I guess I'm the only one that can see it or am the only one that expects it not to be there... either way, I'm sure it doesn't matter much to folks here what I think.

IF I were ordering one, I would ask that this receive extra attention... you'll end up with a better product for it.

18 February 2006, 06:12

JohnAir

Spoken like a gentleman and connoisseur. Thank You.

18 February 2006, 07:09

400 Nitro Express

The new Classic in the photos looks to be a massive improvement over what I saw a few years ago. The lines finally have some refinement. It's a nice looking rifle.

I was looking forward to seeing it at DSC, but got knocked out of going. I particularly wanted to see if the issues that I had consistently noticed with these rifles (the solder issue among them) were still present. I did notice in another photo from DSC that the fore-end is still a third too long. Still, the geometry is much more refined. Now, if he would add a doll's head with a screw-grip third fastener, he'd be getting close.
------------------------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

24 February 2006, 06:08

Thumpper470

The case colors are done in Sturgis.

26 February 2006, 08:27

lb404

I purchased one in Reno in 450-400, 3" and 26"barrels. I also ordered an extra set of 375 Flanged Magnum barrels to go with it. A question, if one could afford it, would intercepting sears be a good option? Would you gain using chopper lump barresl? What features found on the best double rifles could be incorporated in Butches Classic double design?

26 February 2006, 09:12

500grains

quote:
Originally posted by lb404:
A question, if one could afford it, would intercepting sears be a good option?

The nice thing about interceptor sears is that if the gun doubles, it is definitely operator error.

quote:
Would you gain using chopper lump barresl?

Another $5K in labor cost. In the old days they were stronger.

15 March 2006, 14:51

ozhunter

Sent my deposit for one in 450/400 3" WITH 26" Barrels and 30mm Tally QR mounts.
Butch is regulating it with powder made in Australia so I have no problem in the future as importing gets harder.
Will be giving the Merkel 470NE some use early this year on PAC Elephant then later on hopefully another Buff. After this it goes to a new owner. Unfortunately I can't afford both if I wan't to keep chasing African big Game.
Already have three friends with hands up for it.
OZHUNTER.

15 March 2006, 21:38

degoins

congradulations!!!!

15 March 2006, 21:40

AfricanHunter

quote:
Originally posted by 400 Nitro Express:
The new Classic in the photos looks to be a massive improvement over what I saw a few years ago. The lines finally have some refinement. It's a nice looking rifle.

I was looking forward to seeing it at DSC, but got knocked out of going. I particularly wanted to see if the issues that I had consistently noticed with these rifles (the solder issue among them) were still present. I did notice in another photo from DSC that the fore-end is still a third too long. Still, the geometry is much more refined. Now, if he would add a doll's head with a screw-grip third fastener, he'd be getting close.
------------------------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

Those are the same things that have kept me away from ordering. I've heard the srguement from Butch on them, but I'm still "old school" in my thoughts.