Yeah...they ARE costly....I bought one a little less than 2 years ago. First time I EVER bought a shotgun that expensive. It was three bucks shy of two grand. And no, I'm NOT a big bucks guy. I did, however, clear the "buy" with my wife.
It wasn't too painful, tho'..we've a gun dealer in the Houston area...Carter's Country...and once or twice a year they offer an interest-free finance sale...hence, I jumped, with the understanding that the Gold Label was to last "fer ever!"
I'm a SxS guy anyway, at least when there's a choice. BUT I prefer USA made, and other than a couple of older Stevens "A" models ( still affordable, but like all Savage-Stevens-Fox doubles, climbing fast!)I kinda felt that there wouldn't be another SxS in my life.
Mine is the English, or straight stock. The wood is straight-grain, rather plain, but with wood-to-metal fit quite nicely!
The thing is very light and, even with 28" bbls, handles VERY well.
However, b/c of the light weight...after a round of Sporting Clays, you tend to feel the recoil. I finally put a thin gel-tec pad on the aft-end of the thing ( w/o altering the stock ) and it made all the difference.
A fine bird gun...yes. And very probably, a worthwhile investment also, as they seem to increase in value five or ten precent a year ( tho' that may or may not continue )
I would certainly suggest gathering your trading fodder and gettin' on the waitin' list! It's worthwhile...