Love them. Have owned one I bought new for over 50 years. I particularly like the pre-war guns with 2 triggers. I currently have 4 of the 5 different triggers that have been produced (lack only the non-selective single trigger model).
The receiver is a little bulkier than later designs, but is much easier to reload because it opens to a wider degree than most modern designs. A lightning in 12 ga will weight about 7 1/4 lbs, which I think is ok. A pre war gun in the same configuration seems to be about 1/4 lb less.
I do not think they tend to wear more quickly than other designs, but I am not a serious target shooter. They are not expensive to correct if they wear excessively. They are not in the current pattern of serious skeet or trap guns, but make a very nice gun for casual sporting clays.
I think prices are up a little in the last couple of years, but you can still find a very nice lightning 12 from the 50's for around $1200, maybe less. A 20 will be twice that price.
