If you’re looking for a decent upland gun, you should take a look at this FAIR/NEA Model 500 O/U. It appears to be in excellent, original condition, and at $1,429.99 , it’s a good deal.
FAIR is an acronym for Fabbrica Armi Isidoro Rizzini, an Italian maker who has been around since 1971. NEA was the notorious New England Arms, the high-end gun dealer known as “The Finest Gunshop in the World” and “The Most Dangerous Place to Buy a Double.” NEA worked with FAIR in the late 1990s to develop a line of O/U shotguns for the US market. The Model 500 started out as the least expensive model in that line, but it was replaced a couple years later by the Model 400. There were also a couple upper-grade models – the Model 700 and the Model 900. Each model came in 12 gauge, 16 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410.
All the FAIR/NEA over-unders were built on the reliable trigger-plate style actions featured on many modern Italian O/Us, and their single triggers were sound and dependable.
FAIR NEA 500 20 gauge Over-Under Shotgun
Impressive wood for a $1500 gun, and while I”m thinking about it great finish as well. Too bad it’s a 20….at least for me. Now a 16 or 28…I’d be $1500 poorer!
You find some pretty amazing stuff Mr. Gregg. And always like hearing the ‘back story’ on guns you post. As a new to doubles guy it’s hard to see between the advertising copy posted by some of the adverts. The way ads are you’d think anything coming out of Huglu was equal to quality to a 1930s Holland and Holland according to them!
Cool. Glad you like it.
There are 16g FAIRs out there. They come up every now and then. Cabela’s has one now, but the stock has been cut way down.
I’ll let you know when I see another one.
Gregg