This subject can be over simplified or made needlessly complex.

I've found a lght gun benefits greatly from a bit of weight distribution towards the ends - thus my preference for a long barrel set and a long pull on a small bore double. It of course would 'balance' the same place as one with a shorter barrel and stock.

Most of it is what you get used to. Many people shoot a K-80 very well and that's about as dead a gun as can be found. Even Kriegoff finally came to their senses and came out with a model with a lighter barrel set.

Yes, I've had the good fortune to shoot a Purdey. I looked stunning behind it in my blue jeans and T-shirt, at least so I was told. It's a gun. I could learn to shoot it.

Same guys who tell me my Model 50 is so butt heavy as to be useless admire a 'lively' Perazzi.

Stan, I like my automatics to balance someplace along the ejection port. That gives me a about a 3" range so I'm never disappointed.