I absolutely agree there's a difference, or my quail/opening day dove gun, now that I can afford it, wouldn't be by William Powell. However I have to disagree on the talk about losing money on all 'budget' guns, I wouldn't still be married, coming up on 25 years, if I'd lost money on all the beaters I purchased and then resold. For me the hobby/learning experience was a good chunk of the fun.

The "links" I provided should be good valued guns that he could buy and should be able to resale at near or above the existing down market price. It is a buyers market now.

If the guys budget is $500.00, then maybe Dave's idea of a German/Austrian, Simson Suhl or Sauer, ect, gun from Simpson LTD might be a better choice than a Spanish gun, buy I haven't had any experience with those. http://www.simpsonltd

My point is sometimes a budget is a budget, some of us have been there, and he shouldn't get the wrong idea that double gun owners are some elitist club you can't join until you spend $2,000.00.

The double gun, as most here would agree, is the best choice in form, function and history. So take all the good suggestions here and "jump in" where you feel, or your wife feels comfortable : ) , welcome to the 'club'...

Doug