CAPE GUN

[mbyoh]

Some of you might have seen the pictures of the cape gun I posted about a week ago.  I'm curious who else has this neat combo gun, and what gauge/caliber your's are in.  So far, mine in 16ga/25-35 has proven to be extremely accrurate, carries easily, and points exceptionally well.  I used to be fixated on drillings, but could never afford one in a mainstream caliber, and I was forever flipping the top tab for the safety (rifle/shotgun selector) intead of the side Greener safety.  My Simson spent most of its life in  Africa, and has seen a lot a honest use, no abuse.  These seem to come available much less than the drillings.

Mike

[pastorp]

Mike, I saw your pictures. Nice gun. You sound like your very happy with it. I wouldn't mind having a cape or combo gun. I actually do have 2 combo guns but they are savage 24's and not in the class of yours. As soon as I can find the right one I plan to buy it.

I really like the savage 2400 made by Valmet but they are scarce. Like you I like the 16ga and a 25 or 7mm rifle barrel. How does your 25/35 shoot for you. As a bit of trivia for you about that caliber. When the hood&mouth epidemic broke out in the southwest the range officers that had to destroy thousands of cattle, were issued winchester 94's in 25/35.

Sounds like your simson could tell a few stories if it could talk too. Regards, Byron

[mbyoh]

Byron,

I could have kicked myself about 6 weeks ago.  There was a Valmet Savage 2400 for sale on one of the auction sites in 16ga by 25-35 that went for about $900.00 give or take.  I was just dickering on the Simson, but I wish now that I would have picked up that gun.  It was in great condition and was the Savage model which is a bit slimmer and in my mind nicer than the newer Valmets.

The 25-35 shoots very accurately.  I just purchased some reloading dies and as soon as I empty my present brass, will be working up some loads.

Wouldn't mind having on of those Winchester 94's in 25-35, just for the heck of it.

I have an old Savage 24 in .22/410 that I've had for 30 years. Well worn, but I still grab it for my cabin gun.  I put a peep site on it, and wow, is it accurate.

Good luck finding the right combo.  I've missed a few gems, like the J.P.Sauer O/U recently in 30.06 X 12 ga that went for $1,500.00. Fully engraved and in really good condition.

Mike

[Drilling Man]

It was in great condition and was the Savage model which is a bit slimmer and in my mind nicer than the newer Valmets.

  Slimmer and lighter is true, but the 2400's aren't nearly as strong, don't have double triggers available, and don't have an assortment of extra bbls. available either...  Also the scope mount on the 412's are better at comeing back to zero when removed and replaced.

  Of course, if you want it all in one "lighter and slimmer gun" you have to spend a lot more money, as in something from Krieghoff or one of the other custom gun makers...

  DM

[dougk]

  Of course, if you want it all in one "lighter and slimmer gun" you have to spend a lot more money, as in something from Krieghoff or one of the other custom gun makers...

  DM

Drilling you should include the Baikal/Remington Spartan in this.    Even though I would have to admit the Baikal is not a petite gun. 

[mbyoh]

Drilling Man,

You are right about the newer Valmets vs the older 2400's. The caliber/gauge combination of this 2400 really appealed to me, plus it was the older model with the rifle barrel on top. I think the price was a sleeper. For slimness, the Simson cape gun I picked up is hard to beat.  You can wrap your hand right around the receiver with thumb and finger easily touching.  The only slight negative about the gun is the 28" barrels- points great but a little longer then say my drilling with 25" barrels.

You happen to have any of the Tikka's with the hammer- think the model ins the 512S.  I have one in .222/12gauge that is a nice compact gun. I keep thinking I'm going to trade it, but then I realize that for the money it is a pretty good all around gun for turkey, varmits, and less than big game.

I must say I really enjoy this Forum.  Drillings and combo's have always been my favorite firearms (besides Colt SAA's).  Wish more fans of these guns would find the Forum and post pics etc. There's too few of us utilizing this.

Mike

[dougk]

You happen to have any of the Tikka's with the hammer- think the model ins the 512S.  I have one in .222/12gauge that is a nice compact gun. I keep thinking I'm going to trade it, but then I realize that for the money it is a pretty good all around gun for turkey, varmits, and less than big game.

Mike
that is the perfect turkey, varmit, light game gun.  But if you wan to trade it I have a Spartan in the venerable 12/223 coming back from the armour for some minor adjustments.  I might be convinced to trade ya.    I have to admit I crack myself up.   

[Drilling Man]

But if you wan to trade it I have a Spartan in the venerable 12/223 coming back from the armour for some minor adjustments.  I might be convinced to trade ya.

  You want him to trade you his "Benz" for your yugo???  hee  he  heee

  DM

[dougk]

But if you wan to trade it I have a Spartan in the venerable 12/223 coming back from the armour for some minor adjustments.  I might be convinced to trade ya.

  You want him to trade you his "Benz" for your yugo???  hee  he  heee

  DM

Yeah, but dont tell him he has a Benz...

[Drilling Man]

  Well, you can have your VERY OWN "cape" gun today, as i saw two of them forsale at the Cabella's store in Dundee Mi.. a couple days ago...  NO i don't remember the price ect...  You will have to do the leg work for that...   

  If you hurry, you could post picts. of it tomorrow...      

  DM

[dougk]

I looked and all the drillings or cape guns are in European calibers.  I am sticking with the mainstream calibers.  Plus I am very pleased with the Baikal 12/30-06 and if they adjust the Spartan in 12/223 to the same specifications I will be very happy especially given I recently purchased more land than I planned...  And with a 9 month old daughter I am poor.  Now if someone (cough cough) wants to give me a combo/cape gun I would take it or if they want to send one as a gift for my daughter I would gladly put it in the safe until she is ready to use it...

By the way the Baikal/Spartan is not a Yugo it is a Dodge... 

[Drilling Man]

By the way the Baikal/Spartan is not a Yugo it is a Dodge...

  I'll "try" to keep in mind, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"....   

  DM

[mbyoh]

Hey, I'm listing.  Don't know about the Benz comparison, but I do like the Tikka with the hammer.  Thanks for the trade offer, but I guess I'll keep the Tikka for at least a while. I sure haven't seen many of the hammer model on any of the auction sites lately. The only drawback I have found is the side selector is a bit slow compared to a tang mounted one, but I keep the selector on shotgun while walking and moving about, and switch to rifle when on stand, blind, or sitting.

I am curious, what were the calibers of the cape guns at Cabelas?  You say they are European with no American equivalent?  Were they SXS or O/U?

Doug, have you ever talked with a gentleman named Dave Herr?  His specialty is using, buying,and selling drilling and combo guns.  that's where I picked up my Simson, and my drilling.  Two friends of mine also got drillings from him, though they were the European calibers- 9.3X72 and 8X57.  He does often have mainstream calibers, though for more money.

[dougk]

The one Winchester that is online is a 7x57 Mauser.  Not exactly a mainstream combo.  But according to Cabelas it is a boar gun, I will stick with my 12/30-06 for boar.  There where 11 a few hundred yards from the house.  I think we will be dispatching them on Thursday evening as I replaced the pig tube with a feeder and we expect them to be hitting the feeder early in the evening.



I have never heard of Dave Herr.  For reasons stated previously I am out of the market for any new gun purchases.

[Drilling Man]

  The cape guns i saw were S&S and i don't remember the cals...

  7x57 is a nice round, and would be mainstream enough for me, as ammo ect.. is easily available..

[AkMike1]

Doug I wish I had that much tender pork in my back yard. Mmmmm BBQ...

[dougk]

  The cape guns i saw were S&S and i don't remember the cals...

  7x57 is a nice round, and would be mainstream enough for me, as ammo ect.. is easily available..

If it has a x in it, it an't mainstream for me.   

[Drilling Man]

If it has a x in it, it an't mainstream for me.

[cable]

re: Dave Herr  ?does he have a website and/or do you have contact info, email addy for him?  thanks.