Mike,
I too took Jim Legg's advice and bought a pedersoli. Bought mine from Cabelas. I love it too. shoot a few birds with it so far. I want to take it t the duck blind, but things haven't worked ot. I took Jim's loading advice too on no filler and hit the pattern board with nice patterns.
One thing nice s the pedersoli can shot steel shot with the right shot cup.
Metal finiash was fine, fit okay. The wood was a bit dry for my taste so I added some true oil and it looks fine.
Rad rod is for decoration as Jim says. (Listen to him, he knows what he is talking about.)
Jerry