Originally Posted By: redhawk44
Is the monoblock considered down scale in terms of producing a quality O/U?


No. Most quality O/U's (and not so quality O/U) use monobloc construction. I'd be more concerned with the method of barrel construction and machining if the barrels have choke tubes. I've don't remember an incident being reported of a monobloc joint failing, but choke-tube/barrel failures are common.