Valmet 412 questions

[LEO]

I posted a question about combo guns sometime back and after much thought decided not to buy the SPR 94 I asked about and decided to go with the Valmet 412 as suggested.  Well now I have more questions, first is the 412 chambered for 2 3/4 inch only shells or do they have 3" chambers.  Next how are they choked and how difficult is it to have choke tubes installed if wanted.  Finally is there somewhere that kind of specializes in 412s, I have not been able to located one and there have only been a couple on the auction sites.  Thanks for your help again.

[Drilling Man]

I posted a question about combo guns sometime back and after much thought decided not to buy the SPR 94 I asked about and decided to go with the Valmet 412 as suggested.  Well now I have more questions, first is the 412 chambered for 2 3/4 inch only shells or do they have 3" chambers.  Next how are they choked and how difficult is it to have choke tubes installed if wanted.  Finally is there somewhere that kind of specializes in 412s, I have not been able to located one and there have only been a couple on the auction sites.  Thanks for your help again.

  Early combo bbls had 2-3/4" chambers... and were choked improved mod...  Later ones are 3" same choke...  Latest ones are 3" and have interchangeable chokes...

  Older bbls could have choke tubes installed, you just have to call around and find someone to do it for you...

  DM

[dougk]

The Valmet combo guns I have all come with a  fixed IM choke and support 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells.  I was looking at adding screw in chokes but after using slugs, buck shot and BB thru the fixed choke I choose not to spend the $ to have the fixed choke converted to screw inch chokes.  I really liked the flexibility of picking between slugs and buck/BB using the fixed choke.

As far as I know there is no one who specializes in Valmets that has any for sale.  What caliber are you looking for?

Doug

[LEO]

Thanks for the quick response.  I have looked at several on the auction sites but they are in the 1300 to 1400 dollar range not the 800 to 900 I see discussed here so I didn't know if there was somewhere that kind of dealt in 412s or the 800 to 900 range was just deals that folks had gotten that I may or may not be able to find.  As far as my choice of calibers goes, I guess in a perfect world I would have a 30-06 rifle barrel, a 3" chambered 12 ga. barrel with screw in chokes and an extra set of barrels with a 222/223 with the same shotguns set up but I realize that is probably going to be difficult to come by.  From what I have seen in my limited experience with them mostly what you see is 30-06 but I am open to suggestions because you all are far more knowledgeable about these types of firearms than I am.  Thanks

[Bonasus]

LEO,
You might also take a look at this website:  http://www.doublegunhq.com/
He sells the actively produced  Marocchi made Italian version of the Valmet 412 called the FinnClassic.  Many if not all of his services and accessories can be used with the earlier Valmet 412 with some fitting.  I believe he offers screw in chokes as well for these firearms.  Some of the fellas are of the opinion that the FinnClassic is not made as well as the earlier Valmet, but I am unable to speak to that.
Bonasus

[dougk]

Its interesting to watch the demand and prices for the Valmets, in the spring and summer of 07 the prices were less than what is being currently asked.  Also, the high priced Valmets you referenced just dont appear to be selling. 

This site is in Canada http://www.tradeexcanada.com/index.php?option=com_paxgallery&task=table&gid=10.  I have not looked into importing to the USA from Canada.  Also, you want to look at this post by Drillingman http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,132858.0.html which shows the difference between the Valmet 412 and Savage 2400.  The markings on the guns listed in the trade ex Canada site appear to be Savage, but for that price does it really matter? I dont know if the barrels between the Valmet 412 and Savage 2400 are interchangeable.

[Drilling Man]

Its interesting to watch the demand and prices for the Valmets, in the spring and summer of 07 the prices were less than what is being currently asked.  Also, the high priced Valmets you referenced just dont appear to be selling. 

This site is in Canada http://www.tradeexcanada.com/index.php?option=com_paxgallery&task=table&gid=10.  I have not looked into importing to the USA from Canada.  Also, you want to look at this post by Drillingman http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,132858.0.html which shows the difference between the Valmet 412 and Savage 2400.  The markings on the guns listed in the trade ex Canada site appear to be Savage, but for that price does it really matter? I dont know if the barrels between the Valmet 412 and Savage 2400 are interchangeable.

  Those picts show that the 412's are build stronger, and clearly the bbls "don't" interchange...

  DM