The Spanish Aguirre y Aranzabal boxlock model 4/53 has been in production since the 1960s. It is a utilitarian game gun that provides fine handling characteristics without the cost of a luxury finish. An appealing everyday working gun, this 12 gauge has the right configuration (imho) with double triggers, straight stock, splinter forend and 28″ barrels. It also has great dimensions with a 1 1/2″ drop at comb, 2 1/4″ drop at heel and a 15″ length of pull. If you try, you can find these for under $3k. A bargain for a quality double gun.
Check out Another AyA 4/53
Birdhunter 
Really happy to see this gun continuing to gain favor. I’ve never been afforded the opportunity to own a “really nice gun,” but of the hunting tools I have available to me, my AYA 4/53’s are two of my most prized possessions. I have one in 28 ga with 28″ barrels that I ordered several years ago with a semi pistol grip and slightly upgraded wood. I bought it back before the dollar got our of whack with European currency, so it’s almost embarrassing how little I had to pay for the gun. The other is a 16 ga with 29″ barrels that I absolutely love. I was lucky enough to pick it up this past season. I bought it from a friend of mine who found it locally for a near criminally low cost. I was lucky to buy it from him for what he had in it so he could put the money toward an amazing side-lock Merkel he’s been after for a while. They are terrific handling guns!
Gary, can you comment on durability? How many rounds would you guess you have put through your 4/53’s? Any issues? I don’t own the gun in this post. My friend who does loves it and has had no problems with it. I need a durable, everyday boxlock and it is either one of these or a Merkel 47e. I lean to the AyA because the stock dimensions fit me perfectly. Thanks.
Haven’t had a chance to put the the 16 ga through a full set of paces yet, although I loved shooting it this past season. As for durability, you have nothing to worry about. My 28 ga has probably had somewhere between 5,000 and 7,000 rounds through it and it still locks up like the day I brought it home. I shot a ton of sporting clays with it the first two years I had it.
That said, if you want the strongest boxlock on the planet, you simply can’t beat a Greener Crossbolt. It’s the strongest mechanism on the planet. interestingly enough, I also own a Merkel 47e in 16 ga, 28″. It was the first sxs gun I ever purchased, and it’s still my baby. If I were hard pressed to make a decision, I’d have to admit that I like my Merkel a shade better than the AYA. The flat file rib just suites me a tad better. It’s the shotgun I reach for when I need to be on my game, or when things go to hell in a hand basket with another gun.
As far as value is concerned, AYA really flooded the market with the 4/53’s. That has resulted in an excellent resale market, for buyers. They can be had for a lot less than the Merkel 47e. Taken in consideration for what you’re likely to pay, I think the AYA is a better value.
I think you’re here in Colorado. If so, you’re welcome to go shoot both with me sometime if you’d like, in the event you haven’t had a chance to spend any time shooting either.
Thanks, Gary. That is a very kind offer. When I get closer to the purchase and haven’t made up my mind I will take you up on that! Most likely I will pick the one that comes along and strikes my fancy.
I absolutely love mine! I can shoot it pretty decent too! I’d love to go with you guys to the range this summer!
Let’s do it! Kiowa Creek?
I’m in! Let me know when you want to go!
dito! Let me know when.
Did you boys get my e-mail about the 23rd?
Gentlemen, with regard to the AyA 4/53, my wife has owned hers for five years, and in a word the gun is a ‘wand’. She has shot around 10,000 rounds on skeet and clays targets, as well as gamebirds with her 28 bore that Dale Tate fitted her for. The barrels are beautifully struck and finished, and with 3/4 oz. RST cartridges she embarrasses men at sporting clays fields, and the ruffed grouse and pheasants she has shot over our Llewellin setter never had a chance. Since purchasing her gun my wife has never experienced a single problem – not a single screw has had to be tightened. I own a vintage, ‘as new’ 1967 AyA #1 12 bore gun that Mr. Tate has admonished me to never part with as long as I live. The craftsmanship the makers invested in that gun is superb. The engraving alone is on par with the best I’ve seen anywhere, regardless of purchase price. I owned a 16 bore AyA 4/53 that I purchased from Bill Hanus, and sold five years later to purchase the #1. In retrospect that 16 bore gun with skeet 1 & 2 chokes and 1 oz. cartridges was the fastest, and the deadliest bird gun I’ve owned. In my home country of Scotland, just about everyone there shoots the AyA #4, 4/53, and #2. They are shot in the worst of weather conditions, with hot cartridges, and they rarely if ever fail. I might add that they have tremendous longevity as many of my friends in Scotland have owned their AyA’s since the late sixties. One cannot go wrong with an AyA! Yours aye, Arvey McFarland
Thanks Arvey, excellent endorsement. I appreciate you reading the blog!