AyA SxS 20gauge?

Status
Not open for further replies.
D

DMH

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2011
Messages
298
Location
Minnesota
Just looking for information on Spanish manufactured side by sides in 20 gauge. I have two daughters (15 and 17) that have started upland bird hunting with me and sporting clays (last two years). 200 - 300 rounds a year so nothing serious, just enjoying Saturdays with my kids. They both have been using .410 bore and 28 gauge and have been doing well. And yes they take down pheasants with the .410 and 28. I want to pick up a 20 gauge for the older one (17yr.) I have found two used and trying to narrow it down. One is an AyA Matador the other is from Laurona Spain and marked Sear's it is from the 60's. Both do not have choke tubes. Both are very inexpensive, AyA is $330.00 and the Sear's is $500.00 The AyA is Mod. and Full. The Sear's Imp. Cyl. and Mod. The Sear's has more engraving and case color receiver. I know these are not high end or even middle of road side by sides, but I don't want or need a $2500.00 side by side getting dinged up. I have read several posts from THR and understand the art or a fine SxS, but just not ready for that yet. Any information on the older or Spanish made guns would be appreciated.

DMH
 
Last edited:
The Matador was made, IIRC, for Sears by AyA back in the 50's and 60's. Good guns made for the US market - typically that meant a single trigger and beavertail forearm as opposed to their normal double triggers and splinter forearm. Spanish single trigger guns from that era have been known to have some issues. As to the chokes, those can always be opened up if M and F are too tight for your type of hunting - should run about $35 per barrel. There should be proof and other marks on the water table and barrel flats

See if this helps:
http://www.aya-fineguns.com/historia_en.php?kind=Historicos de numeros de serie

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=160159

http://www.shotguns.se/html/spain.html
 
AYAs are still around. I know the Matador was made at least into the 80s, and not for Sears, and I had a 10 gauge. Double triggers and extractors. Never missed a beat. Look on GonBroker or GunsAmerica. Usually quite a few. Not fancy but they work.
 
AyA photo

IMG_2093.jpg

It has an added butt pad and the stock had been shortened. The length from center of trigger to center of butt is 13 1/4" My older daughter is shorter, small frame and small hands. This shotgun has a thin wrist and the altered stock did not bother me, so out the door with case was $340.00 I will post addition information if I have trouble with the trigger. With the information provided by oneounceload I found it was manufactured in 1966 and proof pressure of 12,801 psi. It is full and mod choked. 3" chambers, 20 gauge. I am still thinking about the Sears one. I appreciate the information/links that were provided. I know oneounceload prefers the higher end guns, but was thankfull this thread didn't start talking me into buying a better and more expensive side by side.

Thanks for taking the time to help, DMH
 
Last edited:
That looks great - a nice, classy setup for the young lady. For the price, I don't think the AyAs can be beat for field SxS. You'd have to jump up considerably in cost to make a worthwhile improvement.
 
I have an AYA in 20 gauge. It has served me well. The one thing I would question about the AYA is the weight. Mine has 30" barrels and is very heavy. It is pleasant to shoot but gets heavy to carry all day.
 
20 gauge dry firing?

So can I use a spent 20 gauge round as a snap cap in the shotgun for dry firing? Or should a take a spent round, remove the primer and install rubber or silicon into the primer pocket? The AyA Matador I bought has a blued receiver and the Sear's model has a case color hardened receiver. Was the Matador supposed to have case color? Could have it been refinished? The Sear's model is double trigger, 2 3/4" chamber. I'm still kicking around the idea of getting the Sear's one also. He wants about $500.00 for the Sear's model. The wood on the Sear's model is not as nice as the AyA.

DMH
 
Personally, I use spring loaded snap caps in my better guns
Do NOT get those red and clear plastic ones- the flanges break off too easily.
Good snap caps can be had for about $30 a pair
Paying a gunsmith to find and replace a broken firing pin costs a lot more......;)
 
Personally, I use spring loaded snap caps in my better guns
Do NOT get those red and clear plastic ones- the flanges break off too easily.
Good snap caps can be had for about $30 a pair
Paying a gunsmith to find and replace a broken firing pin costs a lot more......
Click to expand...
Truer words have not been spoken. You can get a set of A-Zoom aluminum ones for a lot less than that... I think.
 
Wow! That link has some awesome used shotguns, and great looking snap caps too! Maybe its Dad's turn for a updated shotgun. Again, I thank everyone for their time, posts and recommendations.

DMH
 
DMH,

Dryfiring older double guns is an all around bad idea, I know when I was a 12year old I broke the firing pin in my 20 fox sterlingworth and it cost a pile of money to get it repaired! IF you can find a gunsmith that can repair it. avoid the hassle don't dry fire your double guns!

As far as starting your girls out with 20 ga doubles--excellent choice that is what I was started out with about 50 years ago!! I suggest imp cyl and modified for the chokes. I had a modified and full in my old fox and did OK, however I was squirrel and duck hunting--not upland bird hunting like you are.

good luck have fun with your girls as kids grow up way to fast nowadays!!!

Bull
 
great photos, no more fun that to hunt with your kids!! looks like she has some birds to show for her efforts!! nice dog also!

Bull
 
I'm freezing now just seeing that; spent two winters in ND a few decades ago, still get some stinging in my fingers and toes when I cold........
Pretty for pictures, but i'll take my 70s right now.

Glad it worked for your daughter - as they say, "It is better to be hunting WITH your kids, than hunting FOR them"
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

P
  • Locked
AYA Shotguns
Replies
5
Views
2K
PJR
P
E
  • Locked
Why get a SxS .410?
Replies
7
Views
3K
bubbygator
B
D
  • Locked
From The Mailbox....
Replies
11
Views
1K
Dave McCracken
D
B
  • Locked
SxS at long last
Replies
15
Views
768
Salmoneye
Salmoneye
M
  • Locked
Shotguns, the "Lays Potato Chips" of guns, betcha can't own just one...
Replies
24
Views
1K
chas08
chas08
Back
Top