Nothing un-real about a Western Arms Long Range Double-sound as the dollar used to be, some options were available, like ivory beads, single trigger (best avoided, IMHO) and recoil pads. Price goes up as the gauge goes down, but, there are plenty of 12s for short money. The receiver is a lump of hardened, malleable iron, which, isn't suppoed to last as long as steel, but, I've never seen pictures here, or anywhere else, of a blowed-up one, which, is something I can't say about a Fox.
The smartest thing said so far has been your point about not buying guns you can't see, and handle. Stick to that notion, and you'll avoid some bad stuff.
Best,
Ted
