Rookie looking for O/U advice

[mrgoat]

Not the most scientific method for testing fit, but it will show you if the gun does not fit. Hold the shotgun, but close your eyes before shouldering it. Shoulder the gun with your eyes still closed. Then without moving the gun, or your head, open your eyes and see if you are looking along the rib, or at it. If you are looking at the rib, or if you can't see the entire front bead and there is only one bead, the gun doesn't fit you. If the rib is not centered left to right, the gun does not fit you. It's easier if there are two beads on the gun. If the beads overlap somewhat or form a figure 8, then the gun is at least close to fitting you. If there is a gap between the beads, or if you can't see the bead at the muzzle at all, or if the beads are not aligned right to left, the gun does not fit you. If the gun doesn't fit you, it won't shoot where your eyes are looking.

This explanation is bang on and it is exactly the method I and many others have used for years. Character marks on a wood stock are normal. There is a definite line between use and abuse of a gun. Dings and little scratches and worn blueing here and there are normal in use. Sounds like you have a healthy enough budget to get a nice OU. My suggestion would be to take your time look and pickup as many as you can to decide what you like and most importantly what fits you. Remember if you find something you really like and it does not quite fit adjustments can be made to correct the fit. Length of pull, cast etc. Being a little older I prefer wood and deep blue. But what ever floats your boat. Hanging around a skeet range or sporting clay field will give you ample opportunity to see and heft many different guns. Most fellas are also very good about letting you give there gun a try while they have a coffee. I have had a Classic Doubles (a fancied up Winchester 101 basically) for years, it has spent as much time in the field shooting pheasants as it has breaking clay targets. The AAA wood has a few character marks but that's okay they were well earned through use not abuse.