Gun Review - AYA Nº 2

The Nº 2 comes in various barrel lengths: 26" which is now not so popular but was very popular in the 1970s, 28" the usual standard length and now the more popular 30" barrels. The barrels are chopper lump 2 3/4" chambered, choked 1/4 1/2, and always throw quite a tight 1/4 1/2 pattern as the bore size is that much tighter than the English guns used to be.
 
Ribs are always brazed on so there is no problem with them lifting, the blueing a very deep lustre and very hard wearing.

People often said the woodwork on the AYAs let them down which certainly during the late 1970s and early 1980s was very plain. Now with fewer guns being produced they are selecting the wood, and are usually a lot darker and have good figuring which you would expect.  Straight hand stock with 15" to centre, good square toe for consistent mounting, bend of the stock is 1 1/2" - 2" and with a slight right hand bias.  As the gun has such good wood a  gunsmith would be able to alter this to left handed or right handed if need be. The gun has nicely cut drop points with chequering finely done with no over-runs.
 
The forend is push rod which makes it easy for assembly and disassembly and the Southgate ejector system gives good positive ejection on all cartridges. AYAs are known for their quite strong springs in the forend, sometimes these need to be just thinned slightly to make closing of the gun a little easier.
 
The engraving is fine scroll throughout and a standard gun comes with the colour hardened finish giving the bluey/green colour you see on best London guns, and the detachable lock is the same as Holland & Holland Royals (always remember to have the gun closed forend on when removing the lock plates and placing back so that the cocking dog re-sits in the right place above the mainspring).

The weight of the gun varies but an average weight is 6  3/4 lbs, slightly forward of the hinge pin, so giving a smooth consistent swing and less barrel flip when firing the second barrel.
 
There are various options which can be added to the gun, pistol grip stock if need be, beaver tail forend, assisted opening action, single trigger, so if need be a gun could be bespoke to yourself to your own specifications.
 
The starting price new is £7,500 - £8,000 and I feel is a very good alternative to either a best English boxlock or what could be a rather tired English sidelock.
 
Handling - 23/25
Build quality - 23/25
Style - 24/25
Value for money - 22/25
 
Total  - 92/100

Find out how you can buy an AYA Nº 2

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