Shotgunners are a traditional and hidebound lot, and when a gun starts to get to cost a bit of money, they will expect to see long tang triggerguards, there.
I know you are thinking this new gun will be your last, and will be the one that you take to the grave with you.
That notion, seldom, is the case. Trust me.
If and when you decide to move the gun down the road, it will be more representative of a high grade gun with the option.
The skeleton steel buttplate is a nice feature, but, my problem with them is as a man ages, his requirements for Length of Pull changes, too. Ditto for cast (usually, anyway) and a well fitted and beautiful skeleton doesn't make it easy to shorten the LOP.
You are ordering a custom built gun. Congratulations. Few, I mean very few, people ever do that. I imported guns for a decade and a half, and never got around to doing it for myself, something I regret a bit to this day, as it would be impossible to do it, now.
25 years from today, $300 won't seem like it was a big deal. Even, if it was.
Good luck,
Best,
Ted
Ted,
I like your point about the LOP. Seems like whether this is "the" gun or not, having an easily adjustable stock would be best, and a long tang is good for resale. Those are probably more practical reasons to choose the long tang over the butt plate than anything strength related.
