While I am not going to purchase one, I do not consider BPI or any of the rifles with Spanish barrels junk. There are too many people shooting them with some excellent accuracy and resultsto classify them as junk. What it boils down to is some people do not like the Spanish made barrels because of testing of barrel issues they agree with. At the same time other muzzleloader shooters are more then comfortable with their rifles, Spanish barrels and all.

I own a number of traditional Tradition's rifles. All of them are good shooters. I did once purchase a Traditions inline, but when it arrived at the house, the rifle had so much wrong with it, I sent it back and never ordered another one.

Is the Pursuit any good? Well people use them and like them. I think there are better rifles out there for about the same or little more money and I would go that route, but again.. a matter of choice. Tell your friend to look at some of the sales that are or soon will take place. Also if it were me, I would look at Thompson Center, Knight, White, NEF, in that order. Again that is only my opinion. If your friend likes the Pursuit, at least go to the Pro model with a Stainless Steel barrel... my two cents worth.