What's a Camargue like to own/shoot?

[Dunk1302]

Greeting all....... I have a hankering to add a Camargue to my collection of "guns I drooled over as a youth but couldn't afford"

I don't have any experience with the AA side-levers, so I thought I'd ask the collective - what are they like to own/shoot? Can they be easily stripped & tuned for smoothness and consistency? Are spare parts readily available?...... It wouldn't be an everyday go-to gun, but I'd still want to have an occasional session plinking with it.

I'd be looking for the best condition example I can find, but is there anything in particular I should look out for? Any common weak spots?

And finally..... anyone got (or know of) a nice example that's up for sale????

Cheers

Dunk

[The Squire]

I understand spare parts are virtually non existent. Those that have any of the AA side levers do quite like the, perhaps they are a bit niche just like a gas ram.

[Mr. Gen]

They are lovely to own, spare parts are easily available and customstocks of sheffield can do a fantastic refurb on an original camargue stock complete with the correct red but pad.

Simple to strip down and work on and you can improve the performance to reduce twang etc., power was never a problem with the AA sidelevers, they are light and pointable so go for a medium sized period scope and mount it as low as you can, not too long or it will be uncomfortable to shoot.

Also consider the walnut stocked SE90, the EX88 and of course the Khamsin.

Gunstar had a reasonably priced SE90 under the title 'Minstral' worth looking at dont know if its gone yet.

HTH

Pat

[45flint]

Recently won a auction for one in great shape. I have a love for tap loaders and these are the last of that era. Beautiful rifles the French Walnut stock with hand cut checkering is a treat. Bluing as good as it gets. Mine was just under the 12 FPE limit at about 11.5. Mine here in the US was sold with this scope package which works well. It was a pop to it just on the border of backyard friendly. I don’t find it twangy but you can feel the power. They are a heavy rifle. Very accurate but I’m at 60 feet in my backyard. There are a few good UTubes on these AA side levers. One man says they are better made than the Webleys of the day and I can believe that. To me it’s a keeper from function to looks, a point in time. The tap was the gentleman’s way of loading no thumb in a open breech.

https://imgur.com/a/Gmjy1fL

[WILBA]

Sold my thumbhole stocked Khamsin around 4yrs ago. Got £325 for it. Regret selling it ever since

[Jimny4x4]

Always wanted the Khamsin but settled for one the lesser ones . So say all the same . And all wonderful