Ugartechea vs Silver Hawk?

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BadRonald

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Looking for a decent quality SxS, something modern (current production) but with classic styling. Have narrowed it down to either a modern Spanish gun like an Ugartechea, or a Beretta Silverhawk, both of which fit the price point I'm looking for. I have not had a chance to handle either gun, chances are they will have to be ordered sight unseen. So I am looking for input.

-Beretta appeals to me as it is a name I trust and have had great experiences with. Very easy to have it serviced if any problems. On the downside, reviews seem to suggest it is heavy for gauge and clunky in handling compared to alternative makes. I am looking for a lighter and livelier companion to my over/under, so handling and weight are a primary concern. This gun also gives up a few points in the classic styling department (single trigger, screw chokes).

-Uggie seems to fit the bill for handling, but I'm not sure if there is a Canadian service centre, and have heard mixed reviews of support through Bilozir. Have also heard that fit and finish and wood is not the best on the lower to mid grade guns (I'd be looking at gr IV).


Would appreciate comments on either gun, especially re weight and handling. Opinions on which you would personally choose would be helpful as well.
 
dutchhunter said:
Look at a CZ .not sure if thy still make a new sxs but you find them on the EE from time to time. Dutch
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What post are you reading? He likes two different guns in a completely different price category than a CZ and is only looking for opinions on either, that's all.

I'd look for the Beretta, shop around though and make sure you inspect, and look over the wood on each one. Beretta can be stingy with their wood. Ugartecheas are nice and a little more svelte but I'd hardly call the Beretta heavy.

Patrick
 
I have a 20ga Grade IV Ugartechea. I got it from Lion Country Supply. It's a lot of gun for the price. 7pin side lock with double triggers, ejectors, and rolled trigger guard. Chopper lump barrels, and double under lug action. All the same features of a high end gun. The wood finish was crap. The spaniards just wiped some stain on it. I just finished to my liking with tung oil...no problem. The wood is ok, but typically straight grained and strong. Some rolled engraving and some hand chased. It's a pretty nice, slim, nicely proportioned little double. I have the case hardened version. I broke a firing pin but they sent me a new one and I just removed the bushing and replaced it myself.
 
Although I am not answering your question, another very similar option is the Beretta 486 Parallelo. It is a "trimmer" version of the Silverhawk. The 486 gets really good reviews. It is more money but this could be a case of buy once, cry once. I would love to have a 486.
 
I have a model 75 Ugartechea, and it is a super handling gun and very well made although not their top line.
Mine is also in a 28 gauge , I'm not sure which size od shotgun you are looking for.
The lower grade Ugartecheas IMO are finished far better than the lower grade Berretas are, but I don't think you are speaking about lower grade guns.

Cat
 
If you want classic, artistic styling and handling, buy the Ugartechea. If you don't mind the limitation of a single trigger, with perhaps slightly more robust construction and slightly less lively handling, the Silver Hawk would be a good bet.

But more important than either is fit! I believe Prophet River has some Uggartechea guns in stock, perhaps you could negotiate a deal with Clay whereby you could buy with full return privilege at your cost if the fit is not perfect ( no shooting) ? Or find a gunsmith with a try gun that you could get fitted and determine the stock dimensions that you need for a build? Just a suggestion. It would be a shame to special order a high grade gun and not have it fit you perfectly. I have been through a dozen or so shotguns before I found out exactly what Length of pull, cast off, pitch, and drop at comb and heel work best for me. Could get expensive and frustrating if you just buy and try.
 
One more thought, a modern Spanish gun maker that is every bit as good as Ugartechea is the AYA. I have a #1 that I like very much. the #2 model is very well made, popular and competitively priced.
 
AyA no.2 , now somewhere north of $8k, seems not exactly competitively priced to me. I bought a used 20 gauge AyA no. 2 several years ago because the new price seemed too much at that time.
 
Depends what you call competitively priced I guess. Real hand engraving, good colour case hardening, fine walnut, hand vs machine checkering, all cost $,$$$. I look at it as "functional art" vs "utility". If they fit you, good used guns are the best buy for sure.
 
saskbooknut said:
AyA no.2 , now somewhere north of $8k, seems not exactly competitively priced to me. I bought a used 20 gauge AyA no. 2 several years ago because the new price seemed too much at that time.
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We have three AYA No 2's for inventory leaving Spain early nest week. One 410, and one 28 g are going to be 7499.00 and a 20 bore No 2 Luxe will be 8999.00
Can't wait to see them :)
 
VictoryXC said:
Although I am not answering your question, another very similar option is the Beretta 486 Parallelo. It is a "trimmer" version of the Silverhawk. The 486 gets really good reviews. It is more money but this could be a case of buy once, cry once. I would love to have a 486.
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I've shot the 486 and don't think it's that much of an improvement over the Silverhawk. The 486 in 12 gauge with the beavertail forend is an ungainly pig in 12 gauge. It's better in 20 gauge with a splinter forend and would be better still with double triggers.

Between the Silverhawk/Parallelo and the Ugartechea I'd take the later. I wouldn't worry about getting the Uggie serviced. The actions the Spanish use in their sidelocks and boxlocks are based on standard patterns that any reasonably competent gunsmith should be able to service.
 
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OP, I feel you may have more or less answered your own question in terms of product selection. If you are looking for the "petite" build and handling qualities of the traditional Game Gun then the Ugartechea will obviously get the nod.

Although the 471 (or the 486) in a 20ga won't be really lacking in any manner (from a perspective of trim lines and handling), however, the difference albeit small will still be conspicuous to the experienced eye. It's all a matter of acquired taste, so to speak. Besides, the newer Beretta model(s) may be harder to acquire particularly with DTs even where all other sought after classical style features are already in place.

As far as gun fit may be concerned, based on your familiarity with the Beretta, it may perhaps be reasonable to assume that off the shelf Beretta products fit you adaquately well (?), and therefore, the Ugartechea may not be vastly different in that sense - mass produced European shotguns tend to have closely similar stock dimensions.

From a view point of current product build/finish quality, well, comparing between similar grades, IMHO, both will mostly be at par. Personally, my scale will slightly tip towards the Beretta side. :) However, that won't stop me from acquiring the Spanish gun.
 
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