I believe it simply amounts to the eyes of the beholder. Everyone has a different perspective due to personal likes, monetary considerations, etc, etc. What I feel is quite expensive to me may be considered minor peanuts to another person. And at the same time the same amount may be thought of as an incredible amount to another person. I spent 15 years (up to 50 days per season) in Idaho Chukar and Hun hunting with guns that were very dear to ME ( read that as expensive to ME ) and some considered me an idiot (no comments, please) for exposing those guns to those hunting conditions. Enjoyment of the equipment used was / is part of the total enjoyment. To me this whole thing is rather like saying a Mercedes is better than an inexpensive Toyota Corolla. They essentially do exactly the same thing and with reasonable care and maintainenc either one will last the owner's lifetime and possibly beyond. Yeah, I'd prefer to own the Mercedes but it's pretty much beyond my reach. No question that the Mercedes is more "finely" made and more luxurious but, is that truly necessary? No, but it surely is nice if one can afford it and appreciate it. I can certainly appreciate it but not afford it. However I am certainly glad that others are able to do so. The beautiful shotguns turned out by the Brits mostly came about during a time when a very few and very wealthy individuals established a market for them. Obviously this market still exists today to some extent. There's no doubt in my mind that the American gunmakers could have equalled the Brits in "Best Gun" making had they had the need or market to do so. YMMV.
