I guess it depends if you want a brand new shotgun or not. I would look for a gun that can shoot standard modern ammunition, and is steel shot proofed. If you are looking for a new shotgun, I do think the Spanish guns are still a real good value. Better to buy one now before their prices start to sky rocket with new inventory. If you have already owned Ugartechea shotguns, then why not try an AyA. I have purchased both, a mid-grade ($4000) Ugartechea, sidelock, and an AyA 4/53 Cabela Classic. Both are very nice guns, but I do think that the AyA is a bit better in overall finishing. The new AyA shotguns are steel shot proofed as standard, and come with a five year warranty, so to me that shows that AyA is confident in their product. I think Ugartecha has a two year warranty. For the difference in money between the standard 4/53 and the Classic 4/53, I would personally go for the 100% engraved model, it is very nice, I really like mine. It is entirely hand cut engraved, as stated by Bruce Buck in the Shooting Sportsman book, ‘Shotguns on Review’. I have looked at mine under a 10x loop and can see a few variations, mistakes and/or imperfections, but not so noticeable to the naked eye. I bought my AyA 4/53 Classic new in 2012 from Cabela’s, it is also marked NECG on the barrels. The NECG pictures of the AyA 4/25 look just the same as the Cabela’s Classic 4/53. The Cabela AyA 4/53 guns come with a 29 inch barrel. I say buy what you like, you only live once.
Tim
