My first stop was at Euless Guns & Ammo. I told Todd behind the counter that I was looking for an entry level skeet gun and asked him to educate me. He said, "you're left-handed, right?" (I've bought several guns from them before, the last one being my M1A.) He pointed me to the used gun rack on the floor, and there I found a very lightly used, left-handed Stoeger Condor Competition 12 gauge over and under shotgun (pictures below) with 30" ported barrels. It has an adjustable comb and adjustable butt pad. It is in beautiful condition. The adjustable butt pad was an aftermarket addition. Blemishes consist of a couple of tiny dings in the buttstock that are barely noticeable even up close. Otherwise, it looks brand new. The action is perfect. All bluing is intact.
Apparently, the previous owner had bought this gun from the same store a little over a year ago, and had really developed a passion for skeet and decided recently to trade it in and buy a more expensive gun. Whoever he was he must have been about my size because the gun fits me perfectly. Andy and I checked it, and when I shoulder the weapon and lay my cheek to the comb with eyes closed and then open my eyes, I am sighted perfectly down the barrel, with my dominant eye lined up perfectly with the barrel rib.
Long story short, the price was right, $450.00, so I went ahead and bought it. I know that Stoeger is not considered a "top of the line" manufacturer, but I think that for an entry level skeet and bird hunting gun, this was a good choice. MSRP on this gun, without the adjustable butt pad, is $629. So given that it is so lightly used, has upgraded adjustability, and in such good condition, I think that $450.00 was probably a pretty good price. Say hello to the newest member of the family.
I just hope I don't embarrass myself.