Well, friend is going to give the seller a call with a complaint about the stock. Not sure what good it'll do, since he likes the gun a bunch. The stock hasn't been cut, and the barrels appear to have always been 28". Keith Kearcher will be giving the gun a once over, (it is filthy) and repairing the stock. Like I said, his other double is a Savage Fox, which has a bulged section just before the choke, and someone's name carved into the stock. I've noticed the pheasants don't distingush between his better shape Red Label and this sorry Savage, they all end up the same, in a game bag. And this gun is a nice step up from that Savage. This is a guy that uses his guns, and appearance isn't as important as function. From what I have seen on stocks with cracks, this should be an easy repair, but, won't likely be easy to hide. I agree, it would have been much cheaper 10 years ago, or in 12 gauge. But, he didn't buy it then.
Best,
Ted
