Has anyone toured the Spanish gunmakers factories in Eibar area?

Longwalker

Longwalker

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I am going to Spain in April, and will be very near the Spanish town of Eibar at one point. I admire the Spanish gunmakers like AYA and Ugartechea, own a couple Spanish guns, and would really like to tour a factory or two while in the area. Can this be done without an invitation? Any advice or experiences that you can share?
 
Check with Prophet River as they are a dealer for multiple Spanish made shotguns including AYA. They should at least know who to contact to make an inquiry.
 
I've done it although it was 15 years ago. I toured Garbi, Arrizabalaga, Arrieta, Urgatechea and Kemen. AyA didn't fit into our schedule.

The companies do not do organized tours but are pretty accommodating if you reach out to them in advance and set up an appointment. It doesn't hurt to imply that you are shopping for a gun.

Although it's probably a bit out of date a good description of the experience is available in the 2nd edition of Terry Wieland's book Spanish Best. I brought my copy with me because it had translations of gun terms. Being able to converse a little in Spanish helps a lot but the gun makers usually have someone on staff who can speak English. However, bars, restaurants, hotels, etc. were typically Spanish and Basque only.

Northern Spain was a fantastic experience. Some of the best food I've eaten, great wines, wonderful people. Don't be too surprised if you find yourself ordering a gun during your visit. ;)
 
Thanks Claybuster, I really appreciate the advice.

I have Terry Weiland's book Spanish Best, and do speak a little rudimentary Spanish. My wife and I were quite diligent in studying Spanish before our first trip to the region two years ago. The joke was on us when we discovered most people speak Basque in the small towns in northern Spain, and that's a tough language! We always felt welcome though. We were pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. We liked it so much that we're going back, walking from St. Jean Pied du Port in France over the Pyrenees and on through Navarra in Spain to Burgos, then a little detour up to Eibar, and taking a bus west to Porto Portugal and continuing our walk north to Santiago de Compostella. A month and 600 km on foot. Should be an adventure!

I'd like to see the AYA factory especially, I shoot upland game with a lovely AYA#1. My goal is to have them build a set of double triggers to replace the single non-selective trigger that it is currently fitted with. I wonder if it would have to be sent to them for fitting or if drop in parts are a possibility?
 
Longwalker said:
Thanks Claybuster, I really appreciate the advice.

I have Terry Weiland's book Spanish Best, and do speak a little rudimentary Spanish. My wife and I were quite diligent in studying Spanish before our first trip to the region two years ago. The joke was on us when we discovered most people speak Basque in the small towns in northern Spain, and that's a tough language! We always felt welcome though. We were pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago. We liked it so much that we're going back, walking from St. Jean Pied du Port in France over the Pyrenees and on through Navarra in Spain to Burgos, then a little detour up to Eibar, and taking a bus west to Porto Portugal and continuing our walk north to Santiago de Compostella. A month and 600 km on foot. Should be an adventure!

I'd like to see the AYA factory especially, I shoot upland game with a lovely AYA#1. My goal is to have them build a set of double triggers to replace the single non-selective trigger that it is currently fitted with. I wonder if it would have to be sent to them for fitting or if drop in parts are a possibility?
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Very cool trip. I can't help with anyone at AyA but I'd definitely suggest you contact them. Perhaps Clay at Prophet River can provide a name. I doubt they could drop in double triggers and would probably need to have the gun itself.

I had the same joke on me when I went into a small bar and had no idea what people were saying. My Spanish is functional but the Basque language is very different.
 
I went 8 years ago, Email then was the best way to set up a tour etc. The cost savings really are not that much but a great place to see. I ordered 2 Grullas and have been really happy with them. It's a unique industry and the only advice I have is to buy the gun not the name.
 
Claybuster said:
Very cool trip. I can't help with anyone at AyA but I'd definitely suggest you contact them. Perhaps Clay at Prophet River can provide a name. I doubt they could drop in double triggers and would probably need to have the gun itself.

I had the same joke on me when I went into a small bar and had no idea what people were saying. My Spanish is functional but the Basque language is very different.
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We are dealers for AYA, Grulla, and Arietta. Be glad to get you an emglishspeaking contact at any of these :)
 
A firing pin should be something a reasonably talented person with a lathe could make. I did order a replacement screw for the hand detachable locks on my AYA a few years ago, it cost just over $50!!!
 
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Hometown hero I had Kerry Higgins make me a replacement firing pin for a Merkel gun a few years ago, perhaps his son at the Saskatoon gunsmith Shoppe could make one for you
 
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