8-b, I thought the SO4 was intended for a target gun. The samples I've seen were rather Spartan in embellishment. Is there a sporter version of the SO4? I agree that it is a very good bargain at $9K, if you are shopping target guns.
Rocketman:
The SO 4 was primarily a target gun made in skeet & trap configurations. The SO 4 was discontinued in the late 1980's in favor of the SO 5 which had a slightly stronger frame and was made in Skeet, Trap & Sporting Versions. About five years ago Beretta began to offer a 32" Optima bore gun on the SO's.
On the SO 4 & SO 5 the engraving was either "tastefully minimal" or "spartan" depending on your point of view. Both the SO 4 & SO 5 had a highly engraved counterpart. For the SO 4 it was the SO 3 EELL, and for the SO 5 it was the SO 6EELL. People are asking upwards of 20K for new SO 5's, and, depending on engraving, I have seen SO 6EELL's offered at 65K or so.
I agree The older SO's can be exceptional values as well as the boxlock ASE 90's.
Hack
