Arthemis/Khan Turkish O/U for $400?

[DougB]

I have a variety of basic pump, autoloader, and other shotguns, but no over/unders (never even shot one). I've always kind of wanted one, but not badly enough to pay the price. I see Century Arms is importing some "Arthemis" (I think Khan is the maker) shotguns that look and sound nice and are available for under $400. I believe they are made in Turkey. The photos look nice, but I've never seen or handled one. Anyone know anything about these? I wouldn't expect them to equal the $1,000 plus O/U guns, but would they be serviceable for upland bird hunting and informal clay target shooting? Any information on these, or other inexpensive O/Us (EAA, etc.) would be appreciated. I have a couple of friends who are also interested. Here's the description from the Century web site:

ARTHEMIS Model 20 Over & Under Shotgun, 20 Ga.
These Khan shotguns are beautifully crafted with classic styling and are a real treat to use. Each Khan shotgun features a tastefully engraved receiver, single selective trigger, ventilated rib and luxurious Turkish walnut furniture usually only found on much more expensive shotguns. The 12 and 20 gauge shotguns also come with 5 choke tubes! But all these high dollar features are found here at a real down to earth price! As a matter of fact, there are no other over/under shotguns in 20 or .410 gauge of this quality available at such a reasonable price! We anticipate that these will sell out quickly, as we have sold a large quantity by word of mouth alone - so avoid disappointment and lost profits this fall and order your Khan Shotguns today!

KHAN SHOTGUNS are produced by expert Turkish craftsman. They are superb shotguns that are a pleasure to use. 3" Chambers, Single selective trigger, 28" bbl, safety: manual with selector, steel receiver, walnut with recoil pad. 5 chokes. Condition: New

Thanks for any information you can give us.

Doug

 

[BADSBSNF81]

Try posting at: http://www.gunshop.com/
Mostly a shotgun specific site. One thought, where you gonna get spare parts or factory service?

 

[DougB]

That's a good point that we've considered. I own a fair collection of guns, and only very rarely have needed spare parts or service, so I might be willing to take a chance on this (and compared with the prices of most O/Us, it would be cheaper to just buy a couple of spare GUNS). But, there's no question that it would be very fruatrating to have one of these break and not be able to get it fixed. Century is the importer, so they would probably provide some warranty service for awhile, but who knows for how long, or of what quality. How fragile are O/U shotguns in general - do they often need repairs?

Thanks for the recommendation on the other forum - I'll take a look.

Doug

 

[Dave McCracken]

Good O/Us are rarely cheap, cheap ones are rarely good.

Much of the reason good O/Us are so expensive is that it takes work and experience to get the barrels shooting to the same point. Quite a few doubles of either style don't.

HTH....

 

[45auto]

A good O/U is very reliable and durable, perhaps one of the most trouble free and easily maintained firearms you can buy in general. Because of that I would look at a good used O/U in the Browning, Beretta or at least the Ruger Red Label category. You can save a lot of money and have a high quality gun that will work and last.
Price doesn't always dictate quality, but I would be suspicious of an O/U that costs a little more than the "gun stock" of the above mentioned guns.
Again, I have no experience with the "low end" brands. I would be more concerned about the quality(strength) of the steel than the triggers breaking!

Good luck

 

[DougB]

Thanks for the info and advice. I do wish I could hear from someone who has actually seen or used these guns. I've also seen "Huglu" shotguns on the web for a little more (and read some favorable comments about them on this forum). They also sound interesting.

Doug

 

[Tropical Z]

Baikals are worthy of consideration and built like tanks.See the websites below and download CDNN's catalog to see the Baikal.
www.cdnninvestments.com
www.diamondguns.com

 

[pinetree64]

Last year, we were informed that we had to use a 20g or smaller on our annual quail hunt. I have a Beretta AL390 12g that has been my everything gun. I didn't want to spent big money on a gun that may only be used one time, so I bought a Russian Baikel(sp?) for $350ish. Quail got rained out, but the previous day we ran the sproting clays course and five stand. My little gun kicked butt. This dove season it was termed the "dover slayer" by my buddies. I've got a couple hundred shells through it and my only issue is rust. It rained on use a couple days in the field. The internals needed a good cleaning and the butt stock screws were replaced. Overall I'm very impressed.

Tim

 

[Gary H]

I have a Baikal and Fabarm O/U's and both break clays just the same. The Baikal isn't as tight and I would not be offended should someone suggested that it will not last as long, but then again, neither will I.

 

[Michigan Bowhunter]

I just bought one not to long ago. I have used it a few times here and there. I can give you a few pros and cons on it.
Pros: cost, weight, action and comfortable to me.
Cons: The chokes they give you with the purchase are not that great. I have done some upland hunting with it using lead and had no problems with those tubes. But this year I started goose season and had to switch to steel. By doing this I split both my choke tubes inside the barrel. I was lucky enough to get them out with out harming the barrels. Even though it states you can use steel shot I would not recommend it with the tubes they give you.
I went out yesterday and got new tubes for it. Carlson's design for Benelli shotguns. Let me say, WHAT A DIFFERENCE. I am glad I made the purchase. If you are in the market for a nice O/U but do not have a ton to spend. Khan is not a bad choice to make. Just remember to get better choke tubes.
I like the Carlson’s tubes the fit is ever so perfect in the Khan O/U.

 

[Billy Tucci]

Michigan Bowhunter - how are the new choke tubes?

I just bought one not to long ago. I have used it a few times here and there. I can give you a few pros and cons on it.
Pros: cost, weight, action and comfortable to me.
Cons: The chokes they give you with the purchase are not that great. I have done some upland hunting with it using lead and had no problems with those tubes. But this year I started goose season and had to switch to steel. By doing this I split both my choke tubes inside the barrel. I was lucky enough to get them out with out harming the barrels. Even though it states you can use steel shot I would not recommend it with the tubes they give you.
I went out yesterday and got new tubes for it. Carlson's design for Benelli shotguns. Let me say, WHAT A DIFFERENCE. I am glad I made the purchase. If you are in the market for a nice O/U but do not have a ton to spend. Khan is not a bad choice to make. Just remember to get better choke tubes.
I like the Carlson’s tubes the fit is ever so perfect in the Khan O/U.

I had the same experience (thankfully got the tubes out with no barrel damage) and contacted Walker Arms (who are in charge of warrenties for Khan now) and they want me to send in the whole gun to them in Alabama. I don't want to do so for obvious reasons and was wondering how the Carlson choke tubes have been holding up. Please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[New_geezer]

I went thru the same search process myself and personally I would avoid Khans and Mossberg's Silver Reserve, which is basically the same gun. I went thru a lot of reading and the reviews were very hit or miss - If you bought one finished by Mr Mastergunsmith then you had a pretty good gun but if you got one finished by Joe Newguy then it was never going to be right. Some gunsmiths who had worked on Khans said the internals were not overly precise and the metal was rather soft. Granted this is all 2nd hand. But since I can't afford and don't want to field test a manufacturers guns for them, I went elsewhere. Maybe Mossberg's influence will bring the overall quality up but the reports I've read don't support it yet.

I went with a 20 ga Baikal O/U. From what I've seen the wood finish can vary a lot from gun to gun, but the design is very functional, all the metal is good quality and the assembly is very solid. No regrets here about this purchase.

FYI, Another good shotgun resource is www.shotgunworld.com

 

[Billy Tucci]

Thanks Geezer

Installed two Benelli choke tubes and will find out how they work for Saturday's pheasant hunt. I too always wanted an o/u and had heard some good things about the khan online. I've downed pheasants and a bunch of ducks with good results until the chokes cracked. They came out but will have to see how it shoots with the new chokes (that fit perfectly). Up until the screw tubes cracked, I really had no complaints. Guess they're just cheap crap that works with lead but steel (#2's and 4's) are too much. Hopefully everything will work out with the new choke tubes.

Man I wish I was rich. Perhaps I can trade it and my 1100 in for a more expensive gun.

 

[STiTkacik]

Installed two Benelli choke tubes and will find out how they work for Saturday's pheasant hunt. I too always wanted an o/u and had heard some good things about the khan online. I've downed pheasants and a bunch of ducks with good results until the chokes cracked. They came out but will have to see how it shoots with the new chokes (that fit perfectly). Up until the screw tubes cracked, I really had no complaints. Guess they're just cheap crap that works with lead but steel (#2's and 4's) are too much. Hopefully everything will work out with the new choke tubes.

Man I wish I was rich. Perhaps I can trade it and my 1100 in for a more expensive gun.

So Benelli choke tubes will fit the Khan?

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

KHAN

stay away from the KHAN. Me and my friend both bought a KHAN the same day and I can call it nothing but a POS. it was semi auto and jammed every round. after about 20 rounds the butt stock was loose on it. That experience alone has kind of kept me from now on staying with well known quality maufacturers. I do know it is hard to find parts for a khan as well. looking for choke tubes for turkey season at bass pro was very difficult. wal mart sure wont have anything. A choke tube that I found worked are the choke tubes for binelli shotguns. they will work with a khan. If you dont want to have any problems stay away from them though