If you can find a way to shoot one, I'd think it would tell you a lot more than reviews, in terms of how it points for you, recoil, ease of teardown, weight in hand, swing properties, etc. Of course a cursory exam and a few rounds shot through it will not expose specific component weaknesses or public apathy that may only show up after the gun has been out five years.
I plunked down pretty big bucks for a Remington Versamax last fall, and am very satisfied with its performance shooting all loads (from skeet to 3.5" magnums) but that is after only one abbreviated season. With my limited skeet club and field experience between August and December, I'd heartily recommend a Versamax to duck hunters who want a tough auto that points well, can be easily modified to fit your anatomy, shoots any load, and tames the recoil of Waterfowling magnums to that of trap rounds.
If two years from now, I find some chinks in its armor, regret the purchase, and want to sell it, I may own a white elephant I cannot sell, if hunters don't feel the same about the Versamax as they did the old 1100's.
Which is one great feature of the new A5. It has name recognition and probably won't be hard to unload if you decide you don't like it a few years down the road...........
Hope you make the right choice for you...............
