Of course I could be in better shape, but I've never regretted the weight at all.

As far as the USH being the same as the USH Deluxe, check out this picture. The USH Deluxe does indeed have the checkering and what I think H&R calls "laminated camo" and look at how much longer the forestock is.




When you finally get to do some shooting with your new USH, make sure you slide your front hand right up against the sling pivot,squeeze the trigger and tell me howTHAT feels! That should serve as an adeqaute explaination to my unique front sling mount in the picture - LOL. I have since moved to a different sling because the stock one in the picture is really slippery to try to shoulder.