Chasseur,

I'm not much of an authority on drillings, but here's an account of my experience.

I have owned two drillings, both pre-WW2 German guns. The first was a 16 x 16 x 8x57JR. The second was a 16 x 16 x 8x57JRS. Both were fine guns, and I enjoyed owning them. The second was the better gun as it was higher grade finish and engraving. The rifle barrel shot super accurate with loads using the Hornady 250 gr. RN. I just used the express sights when I shot it.

This gun had claw bases. I wanted a scope for it and bought a 1.5x Schmidt & Bender. I sent it to a gunsmith to make claw mount rings to fit the existing bases. He totally screwed up the job and ruined the scope in the process. No damage to the gun, though. That put me off the gun, as my hopes were dashed, and I think it was the main reason I let the gun go.

I didn't shoot either drilling very much at all, and in the end, I decided that my interests lay more firmly with double rifles. I traded the last drilling on my Francotte 9x57 double rifle about 8 years ago.

With drillings there are all sorts of different systems. I prefer an A&D for strength in the stock. The Blitz will nearly always crack in the wrist.

Many have a separate cocking sidelever for the rifle works. I never had one of those. On cocking the lever, the rifle barrel is selected. This allows the safety to be on the top tang, where we usually look for it. In my opinion that's probably the better configuration.

Pay attention to how the safety works and how the gun selects between the right shot barrel and the rifle barrel. These mechanisms are used every time you shoulder the gun, and if they aren't convenient you may as well pitch the gun aside. There's a lot to think about in using a drilling.

I hope this helps.

Curl