Matt,
What caliber was the CVA you looked at? The reason I ask is a lot of folks that don't know the difference look at the other CVA break barrels that are made, like the Wolf and Optima that aren't the same as the Optima
Elite. I've handled a Wolf, it is pretty much the way you describe, but it only costs $130 too!! The Elite is the only CVA that is available as a centerfire rifle. I have an Encore and the Optima Elite, there's not a lot of difference in the sound of lock up, and I had to do a fair amount of work to float the forend of the Encore, the Elite came that way from the factory and cost half of what the Encore sells for!! The Encore also came with a healthy 6½lb trigger, the Elite was a bit better at 5lbs-4oz, but sent it into CVA for a free 3½lb trigger job.
Choices, that's what it's about.
Tim