Larry,
As I recall, it was easy to spot a recent Spanish import, after the tax went on them, in Spain. I identified them the same way you would-date code on the flats. The guns I remember looked used, hard used, and had a modern laser dot importers mark burned into the tubes. They drove the price of guns that were here, down, for a year or two. I freely admit I knew nothing about the tax in Spain at the time, and just bought an Uggy that was priced to compete with the stuff being dumped, here.
I only took second looks at Uggies, but, there were others, with names that didn't mean anything to me. From what I saw, I'd say Kyrie was right on about the maintenance Spanish guns receive at home. Looked like the guns were forgotton about after they were put away and cocktail hour began.
There are two model 30s on gunbroker I'd consider today, one just got a bid at $550, and the other has been lingering a long time at $600. That gun is in MN, and if I were in the market, I could take a drive and work something out, face to face, maybe, and save a few bucks. These guns don't have the American Arms "Falcon" extras, 3" proof, hidden third fastener, engraved receiver, but, that is no big deal. If they don't have disc set strikers, I wouldn't buy either, but, I bet they do. The model 30 has been around a long time, Larry, and when I see a Spanish gun for sale locally, it is usually one of them. The fact that a few individuals have had a problem or two with them surprises me no more than a few people having had problems with Red Labels.
Having something really nice is great, but, I've been on hunting trips where we ride in a canoe to get to the other side of the slew we worked up to, often with a Lab or some other pooch in the boat with us. Not condusive to bringing a really nice, or, expensive gun along.
John, the checkering on my Falcon, and also on Keith's, is better than what I have seen on some more recent Grulla and AYA guns. I think both of our guns are early 1970s vintage. The triggers are great. I think mine has bead blasted and black chromed barrels, not sure it is blue. There might be a ripple or two in the barrels, and there might not be.
I doubt the Lab in the canoe cares.


Best,
Ted