Larry,
My Darnes were always much cheaper than you could get them in France. My overhead, as would have been an English importers overhead, circa 1980, compared to the manufacturer, was a pittance by comparison.
Think about it.
The 311s built prior to about 1960 don't suffer much in quality compared to pre-war (question? How could they?) and the stock dimensions will work for most modern day upright hominids. Thats what $500 gets you.
You have to pay for options FROM A DEALER, Larry-private party sales, even in Iowa, have more wiggle room, and a lower price, as a matter of course. Unless you don't look.
Beretta didn't TELL you how you were going to buy the gun, Larry, unlike Browning-want double triggers? Go for it. Want a swan neck stock and a splinter? All your's. No Ejectors? No problem.
Ten times the gun Larry, just getting what you want, instead of being sold something you don't, ejectors, single trigger, POLYUREATHANE, or, whatever.
Only Hyperbole in Iowa, Larry.
Every gun today is asking price, Larry. It's sad, but, you can't benchmark prices off anything in the past 6 months. What shows up as sold in an internet auction quite possibly didn't go anywhere.
Best,
Ted
