Bill, the only experience I've had with the cheaper doubles is the Silma. It's an Italian made gun, nothing fancy, and it doens't have barrel selectors or auto ejectors (it will extract empties just far enough for you to reach them and pull them out yourself). Everyone I've talked to likes them. Academy used to sell them for about 525.00.

I raised this question on another forum and a respected 'smith did a elaborate run down on many of the cheaper double guns. Basically, you get what you pay for. There's a reason the better doubles run 1,000.00 and up. My advise to anyone would be to save up as much money as you can, and hit some of the better, bigger gun shows. I picked up a brand new in the box Franchi Veloce 20 gauge o/u (exquisitely made gun) for $900.00. It goes for 1300.00 + at the dealers.