The Superposed thread prompted me to take a look at a small sweep of O/U handling characteristics. Five O/U's are as follows:

Ambercrombie & Fitch BLNE sideplated 28 bore - weight = 4# 11 3/8 oz, barrel length = 26", LOP = 13 3/8", tetter-totter balance to trigger = 4 3/8", unmounted swing effort = 1.01, mounted = 4.12, and half weight radius = 9.95.

Browning Superposed BLE .410 bore - 6# 11oz, bbl = 26 1/2", LOP = 14 1/4", balance = 4 5/8", unmounted = 1.50, mounted = 6.70, and HWR = 10.20.

Winchester 101 Pigeon Grade xtr skeet 12 bore - 7# 12 3/4 oz, bbl = 27", LOP = 14 1/8", bal = 4 3/4", unmounted = 1.59, mounted = 7.58, HWR = 9.73.

Ruger Red Label BLE 12 bore - 7# 14 oz, bbl = 28", 14 5/8" LOP, bal = 5 5/8", unmounted = 1.91, mounted = 8.53, and HWR = 10.59.

Ithaca Perazzi MT-6 BLE 12 bore - 8# 1 3/4 oz, bbls = 28 3/4", 14 1/8 LOP, unmounted = 1.95, mounted = 7.62, and HWR = 10.57.

Now, for some analysis. The A&F is the lightest and the MT-6 is the heaviest. The MT-6 has the most rearward balance and the Ruger has the most forward balance. The A&F has the lowest unmounted swing effort whereas the MT-6 has the highest. The A&F has the lowest mounted swing effort and the Ruger has the highest. The Winchester has the lowest HWR while the Ruger has the highest.

The A&F takes the least effort to lift, carry, hold, balance is typical, least effort to point in a different direction both unmounted and mounted. It has typical compactness (indicated by HWR).

The Browning has weight, balance, swing efforts and compactness typical of the class of guns usually referred to as "game guns."

The Winchester Has weight and balance typical of clay target guns, but slightly faster swings. Its HWR shows a rather compact design.

Red Label is typical of clay target guns in weight, bit forward in balance, bit slower in swings, and has the least compact number.

MT-6 is the heaviest, typical of heavier target guns, has a bit of a rearward balance, bit slower unmounted and typical mounted. Compactness is rather typical of heavier guns.

I'd be very interested in other points of view, analysis, and questions.

Remember that the above numbers provide no judgement until the needs and/or desires of the shooter are know.

DDA