16ga.com ~ View topic - Modern 16 gauge Ugartechea Grade IV/75EX a lot of Best gun.

Gentlemen,

This past year I got to hunt with a modern Spanish Best side lock SXS double gun.
I have to say for a modern gun it is well balanced and fits me perfectly after Doug Carpenter worked his magic on recheckering its Butt stock and hand grip. A very surprising light weight double gun that really puts the birds down quite well.

I had been looking for a Spanish made best side lock SXS double gun to add to my Grouse gun collection sense 2007, never could get my hands on a Spanish gun that fit me properly, I ended up waiting until this past 2025 year to finally find the gun the fit me absolutely perfectly. Like most Best guns this gun has ejectors, which is actually a draw back in the Grouse woods in the winter time, especially with snow on the ground.

However this best Spanish gun has DT that I do prefer when Grouse & Woodcock hunting. Finding a DT Best gun on the used market is tough. The 1st Grouse I took with this gun, was a hard flying bird that darted into some very heavy habitat, I tried to use the 1st barrel with the #8's and the habitat was so thick that the #8 SpredR load would not penetrate the thick grape vines, the bird continued on thru the big grape vine and I finally killed the bird with my #6 Fiocchi 2 3/4" 1300 FPS larger faster shell. The bird was not killed out right however and Shadow our fantastic Gordon Grouse dog put the bird out of its misery and brought the bird back to my hand. All this happened in just seconds the gun fit me so well I did not even remember pulling either trigger, until Shadow was on her way back with her prize Grouse. IMO that is the way a true Best gun feels and operates. Every time I use this Spanish Best gun it impresses me more, the Walnut wood Quality is very high for a modern made gun, it is a standard fix choke gun at IC & M, and with RST SpredR's under the 1st trigger the gun has made some very serious Grouse & Woodcock shots this past hunting season.

As most of you know I am big believer in Classic SXS double guns, however this modern Grade IV/75EX side lock 16 gauge gun has been every thing I hoped it would be, both quality and shootability wise.
The gun was actually built in 2007, purchased and basically put away unused until this year, when I acquired it. GI has treated me very well over the years I have been acquiring Best guns, I highly recommend their business for listing high quality SXS double guns. If you are looking to acquire a Best Spanish gun I highly recommend the Ugartechea 16 gauge Grade IV that was sold by Lion County back in the day. Simply a very high quality modern SXS side lock double gun that was hand made & hand engraved.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith/Westley Richards Man

The modern Ugartechea Grade IV/75EX hand made & hand engraved side lock double gun. One very serious Grouse gun.
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Joined: 07 Mar 2010 Posts: 520 Location: South Eastern PA

PC Dave. We think alike on a lot of things, although I'm a dedicated Fox guy and you are a Smith guy. We both like the classics.

I bought a "Spanish Best" SXS last year as well, an Arietta Round Body Sidelock made for Griffin & Howe. I'm a lefty and when I saw it, I knew I had to get it. Straight grip, open chokes, double triggers, assisted opening about 6 lbs. even and cast on. I shot that gun really well from the get-go and used it a good bit for woodcock in 2025 in NJ and MD. I never posted about it here because it is a 20 gauge.

ROMAC,

Great Spanish double gun, I looked at an Arietta very similar but decided on the 16 gauge instead. Arietta makes real fine Best Spanish guns also, might have to invest in one myself some time.

Fox guns are just a Box lock Smith, in fact many of the gun makers worked for both companies. I had some really fine Fox guns down thru the years. My buddy Ken Graft has an A grade 16 gauge with up graded wood, that I would really like to own, the gun carries and shoots like an L.C. Smith. Ken shoots the gun so well in the Grouse woods that he will not sell it to me.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith/Westley Richards Man

Ken Grafts Fox A Grade with up Graded wood.
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Joined: 14 Apr 2020 Posts: 156 Location: Boise,Idaho

Wow! Beautiful shotguns!
Love it.
Bob

BWW,

Thanks much for the nice complement on our guns, further I really like ROMAC's Woodcock Beer glass in his post, have been looking for one like it for a long time, I know that Beer glass is very old and I missed picking one up when they were made.

Nothing like a great Best 16 gauge double gun to hunt Woodcock & Grouse with, I am addicted to great 16 gauge SXS double guns! Still looking to pick up a real side lock Westley Richards 16 gauge SXS double gun.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith/Westley Richards Man

Joined: 17 Jan 2014 Posts: 1693 Location: Denver, Colorado

Spanish guns are still a great value and are very serviceable in the field. Think about it, modern steel, modern designs (copied from the Brits of course), mostly hand-made, and generally problem-free function for many years.

The sad news is that there won't likely be any more coming from Spain anytime soon (socilaists/communists don't tend to produce many fine double guns).

Shoot'em if you got'em.

Lloyd3,

You make a good point about the Spanish gun trade, it will probably never recover to the point where it once was. The modern political climate in Spain is not good enough to provide for great gun businesses any longer.

The older Spanish modern Best guns however are still around on GI for the American Sportsman to acquire.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith/Westley Richards Man

Joined: 14 Apr 2020 Posts: 156 Location: Boise,Idaho

[quote="Pine Creek/Dave"]BWW,

Thanks much for the nice complement on our guns, further I really like ROMAC's Woodcock Beer glass in his post, have been looking for one like it for a long time, I know that Beer glass is very old and I missed picking one up when they were made.

Nothing like a great Best 16 gauge double gun to hunt Woodcock & Grouse with, I a addicted to great 16 gauge SXS double guns! Still looking to pick up a real side lock Westley Richards 16 gauge SXS double gun.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith/Westley Richards Man[/quote

Dave, an excellent micro brew ( preferably dark in color) in a solidly nice container, a beautiful SxS is very tough to beat!
Unfortunately in my neighborhood we don't have woodcock to chase, but can drive a little ways for roughies but can go after them.
Thanks for the photo!
Bob

BWW,

I am not much of Beer drinker, my Grandfather spoiled me, he made the best home made German Beer that I loved. Nothing really comes close to it today, I would much rather sip a glass of good Bourbon at the end of the hunting day. The Blue Moon Beer on tap I do drink every once in awhile, however its a long way from my Grandfather home brew.

all the best,

Pine Creek/Dave
L.C. Smith/Westley Richards Man

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