Like you, I have purchased two SxS's with cut barrels, and both have been wonderful upland bird guns.
Many/most of the older SxS's left the factory choked FULL & FULL,
which is not very useful for my hunting situations. Although it decreases the resale value, these "cut guns" may be more useful than in original condition...and more affordable. They are also good informal skeet guns.
I suspect they were previously altered due to (1) barrel-end damage, or (2) to make them handier.
While I would never cut a set of barrels, I'm not opposed to purchasing such a SxS if the price is right.
JERRY
