The Heym rifles appear well made but when it came time to purchase I chose Verney-Carron over Heym. I do not regret that choice. Both manufacturers have made a lot of rifles and I would be surprised if there had not been one or two problems with either brand. Nothing is 100%. What matters is how well the manufacturer handles a problem if and when it occurs. I have no experience with Heym so I can neither praise nor condemn them. Additionally, I have had no reason to contact Verney-Carron about problems with my gun because there are none.

Nevertheless, I will give my nod again to the Frenchmen. I do so because I know how much they care about their products. My gun was ordered through, and after considerable communication with, Mr. Guillaume Verney-Carron. He followed it from conception to delivery. We emailed back and forth for several weeks and we met three times. Our most recent face-to-face was at the last SCI Convention. He introduced me to his father and told him I had purchased a gun. His father nodded and smiled kindly. Then Guillaume mentioned the engraving on the rifle I had ordered. His father's face lit up and he began speaking with great animation. He not only remembered the rifle but he was beaming with pride. Each of the guns they make carries their family name. I have no doubt that, should you ever need to send a gun back for work, Verney-Carron would stand by their products as if each gun represented the family.

For a little family history see: TEN GENERATIONS OF GUN MAKERS SINCE 1650