how good are American Arms O/U 12ga shotguns?

[Mr. Friendly]

someone has one up for sale/trade and I have a trade they may be interested in, but would like to know a bit more about AA and whether their products are any good?

it's a Ducks Unlimited special, no idea of age though, but has never been fired.

here's a link to pictures of said shotgun:
https://imgur.com/a/ooYqC4o

edit - so, we know the age of the shotgun now...made in 1994 and was made by someone going by the name Zabala Hermanos.

here's a photo of the certificate with makers mark:
https://i.imgur.com/KedwXvZ.jpg

 

[galamb]

American Arms shotguns were made by at least half a dozen different makers over the years. Some from Italy and a few from Spain. These pics are of one of the Spanish builders.

Zabala Hermano (Spain) made at least some of the DU models. They made "price point" guns for a few (re-branded) companies.

Never heard anything good or bad in particular about the maker but lots of bad press about entry level Spanish guns is everywhere...

 

[Falconflyer]

Felix Sarasqueta of Spain made guns for AA but whether this is one of his or not I have no idea.
Sarasqueta is known for building good guns but when making guns for importers there are often lower price points involved that can have a bearing on quality.

 

[brybenn]

Felix Sarasqueta of Spain made guns for AA but whether this is one of his or not I have no idea.
Sarasqueta is known for building good guns but when making guns for importers there are often lower price points involved that can have a bearing on quality.

There are also several different sarasquettas

 

[saskbooknut]

Victor Sarasqueta made the premier guns. Felix was a wannabe.

 

[Mr. Friendly]

is there any way to find out by S/N or something, which Sarasqueta would have manufactured this one?

 

[gunsaholic]

Below is a link to some Spanish maker's marks. Scroll down to the R and the S and you will find marks for Victor or Felix.

http://www.shotguns.se/html/spanish_trademarks.html

 

[Mr. Friendly]

Below is a link to some Spanish maker's marks. Scroll down to the R and the S and you will find marks for Victor or Felix.

http://www.shotguns.se/html/spanish_trademarks.html

thank you holly! I've asked the fellow to see if he can find the maker mark and let me know who made it.

 

[Mr. Friendly]

well, turns out this is a 24 year old shotgun...manufactured back in 1994 and was made by ZABALA HERMANOS.

any thoughts on the quality of said shotgun now?

 

[Turkeyslayer 1300]

With The AA guns always go by what you are holding. I had and sold an American Arms Brittany and it was a great gun. I’d recommend the one you are looking at over a current production Brazilian or lower end Turkish gun.

 

[Falconflyer]

I looked at a Zabala sxs 20 gauge a while back, it was a double trigger side lock. The research I did on it seemed to indicate that they were of decent quality but I didn't like the level of fit and finish for the money so I passed.