Wow...thanks to everybody for offering their thoughts. Based on what I'm reading, I think I'm going to just get the gun, package be damned. It'll save me a couple of bucks in the short term, and when the long term comes around, I'll actually be making more money anyway - win-win situation. For the record, I have been shooting a couple of times for trap, target, and breaking in a TC encore, so I don't think the recoil will be a problem. And pardon me for being too proud, but even though money is an issue, since this is my first gun, there's just something that feels good about getting a brand new...anything. By that same token, I just found out that walmart is selling exactly what I'm looking for for almost 100 bucks less than what I can get it for here. Problem is, no Walmart remotely near Juneau AK. How do I get around that roadblock? Thanks again. Waiting till my birthday is killing me!