H&H, Purdey, and Boss guns today are the best they have ever been. The materials are of the finest quality. This is the golden age of gunmaking! I cannot believe that some say the metals of over 100 years ago are better then today! CNC machines provide a higher level of accuracy and significantly reduces labor time in roughing out. Fitting is all done in the traditional methods by hand. All the guns mentioned are high quality, but how can someone compare a H&H or Purdey to a Watson or a Brown is beyond me. What I will say, is the quality difference really worth the money at a certain price point? In other words, is a H&H really $30,000 better then a Brown? If your looking for a bargain, stay away from H&H, Purdey, and Boss. If your looking for something that provides an immense sense of pride and will put a smile on your face every time you take it out of the case buy a H&H, Purdey, or Boss. Most people that knock today's big three have neither shot, owned or posses the means to purchase one. If your so concerned about the exact weight, barrel wall thickness, balance point, etc., stay away from the big three. They know how to make guns and do not need expert advise. To use the car analogy, you would not tell Aston Martin how to build a car. If you do not like their product, you do not want an Aston Martin. Another analogy is, would a Corvette do all that a DB-9 would do? Most likely so! But the question is what do you really want? It your money!!!! Some guys dream about owning a Shelby Mustang some guys dream about a Buggitti. What do you want and what can you afford is the principle question. The Watson is a wonderful Mercedes SL550 and a H&H Royal is a wonderful Aston Martin Vantage. Good luck with your choice.