Honestly that is a tough price point for a well made functioning double. I personally would wait and save a little extra coin and go for the Caeser Guerini Woodlander for $3100.00.
I have been impressed with this gun. Have shot it for about 4 months now, its not mine but I shoot it like I own it! Have two buddies with them. 1 is a 12ga 28" and the other is a 20ga 30". Yes the 20ga is my favorite.
The sub $3k and under market is very weak in options in my opinion. If CSMC would produce a plain jane OU keeping it simple 28" and 30" barrels and in 12ga and 20ga with plain wood at $2500 or under they would strike gold.
Thanks for the feedback. I'd been eyeballing the Caeser Guerini for a while now as I kept seeing good write ups in the yearly shotgun reviews with Outdoor Life. I just never took the plunge with an O/U as I've always loved the handling of my old Silver Hawk 12ga. I've been saving for a replacement and was willing to pay a bit more to find something that would work as well, but my hitch was that I wanted a steel gun that was as light, mine is a tad over 7-pounds. One of my hunting partners is a Guild Member smiths and is a dealer who likes the CSMC shotguns that went through his shop. He recently sold a nice RBL that was priced within reach, but they are near a pound heavier than my original Silver Hawk. There is also an old Victor Sarasqueta 12ga that was ordered and fitted for a late family member back in the 60's still in the family. This seems to be a well made gun that is all fancied up in excellent shape, but it is currently in the hands of another family member out of state. He has it on display in a friend's fine gun shop. I've been debating working out a deal for this shotgun as it may fit my bill, but I've been in no hurry as it's not going anywhere.
Hence, I noticed the Browning 725 and Select 101 which piqued my interest as they were not too expensive, made of steel and are light in 12ga. Other than a few hardcore clay guys, such as yourself, most of the feedback I'd seen from field use seemed to be overwhelmingly positive. Was thinking they'd make a cost effective gateway gun over to an O/U. Otherwise, the guys I run with tend to think I should stick with side by sides and just bide my time to find the right gun.
Mine is still in good shape and has more years of service left, but like most everyone else, I'd like to get something new and shiny to use for a while. Nothing wrong with 20ga, my bud hunts with a woderful handling L.C. Smith 20ga which makes me smile to mount, but I've just always used 12ga and am stuck in my misguided ways. In fact, I just came inside from starting an acid tan pickle bath for the rabbit hides just taken with my Silver Hawk. The rabbits are in a brine and will hit the grill tomorrow stuffed with jalapeno's and vadalias with a bacon wrap. My 12ga just aint quite as pretty as she once was, but she still feels the same when afield and results in plenty of joy.
Best
