The Auto (Excell) was made by Sarsilmaz Firearms Inc., Turkey, it was just like a Verona 405, but now it is manufactured by an unknown at this time. It is definitely a different model, probably a different manufacturer. Someone here ordered one a few months ago and ended up sending it back due to it being different than the 2007 Catalog depicted. The 2008 pictures show the new model, it doesn't have the humpback receiver as the previous did. Right now there are at least 2 different models floating around, I would steer clear of them until H&R can make up their minds as to who they want to build them. It would be nice to at least know who is the new manufacturer and where they are being manufactured. My guess would be either China or Russia, but that is just a WAG.
The Pardner pump is a clone of the 870 and the earlier models didn't have the drilled and tapped humpback receivers that the current ones are supposed to have. I say supposed to have because I have heard of some that were not drilled and tapped as described. They have a longer magazine tube and barrels are not interchangeable with the 870. They are made in China.
I too would buy a Rem or Mossy first. They will always have parts and service for these, I HOPE.
