newcastle, no one has mentioned it yet so I will. The barrels are easily changed out with No1 barrels or better yet in your case a Long Lee barrel. they share the same threaded tenon. There are decent barrels out there on butchered actions that can be used as cheap donor barrels. At least in Canada there are.
I suspect, the UK isn't any different.
I must agree with you though, in comparison to the 577-450, they are a joy to shoot. They also look very good. Especially when the cosmetics are good.
