Just went to the local Crapbela's and looked the #2s. They had three in 20g. 2 case hardened and on ecoil finish. The Guns checkering was not what I would pay $4500.00 for. Gun #1 had "fuzzy checkering" with the points mashed and gun #2 had the checkering off center. Gun #3 was good, but not exceptional. All guns were not the best on inletting with the wood rising and diving below the metal on all three guns. If you buy an AyA I would not buy it before I see it. On a positive note, they alll balanced superbly. The Merkel I looked at had superior wood to metal fit. Nearly perfect but with less lines per inch than the AyA. The wrist was also thicker than the AyA. The Merkel in 20g. was a little "whippy" to my tastes. Not having the smooth balance of the AyA. Hope this helps with your decision.
