So essentially double barrel shotguns in any configuration are damn expensive if you want a worthwhile quality level? Noted.
Well at least you all cured me of my Sharptail desire.
The problem for the double gun market is that there are tens of millions of used guns out there in good to brand new condition inhabiting the mid market space. So much so that new made guns just can’t compete.
A used Merkel SxS can be had from $600-$2000 in almost new condition depending on how it was specced out originally. When you price out the same gun from Merkel today, say a boxlock SxS with ejectors and some tasteful machine engraving you won’t get out the door for less than about 6-7k due to the inherit difficulty in manufacturing a quality double and high labor costs. A new US SxS from CSMC runs around 4-5k for base models for the same reasons.
The cheapest good quality US attempt at a double in modern times was the Ruger gold and red label guns, and even those were creeping towards 3k at the end and they were bare bone guns that Ruger was selling at a loss. It was one of Bill Ruger’s pet projects that was dropped after his death. They’re supposed to be being brought back. They’re being built under license by CSMC so they be 4-5k likely.
So, the only competitive markets for gunmakers are the very cheap end where the Turks and brazillians are and the high end market with the likes of CSMC, Merkel, krieghoff, Beretta, browning/miroku and the German, Italian and Spanish guilds. And then the luxury level with Galazan (CSMC best gun department), the London trade, top grade Berettas, and a few dozen other best quality gunmakers sprinkled across Europe.
