The 'Spartan', is actually made by Baikal, a Russian firm, and previously imported into this county by EAA Corp. In November, 2004, Remington struck a backdoor deal to be the exclusive importer of Baikals under the Spartan brand. Previously also, Baikal had a contract with Savage to make a side by side model 411 (Savage originally had a 311), a very few were made, and the deal went sour somehow. But to answer your question, I can't say what Remington has made Baikal change, etc., in the making of the gun, but I have seen constant changes on Remingtons Spartan website, from hardwood, to walnut, to fixed chokes, then screw in chokes, so I don't know what to believe.
WHat I can tell you about is Baikal guns. I own 3 of their over/unders, 12, 20, & 28 gauge, and they are very fine shotguns, chrome lined barrels, screw in chokes(28 is fixed choke), walnut wood, hand checkered, excellent wood to metal fit, auto ejectors, single selective trigger,etc, etc, they are excellent guns, and I doubt you could find more quality for the money. I have had no trouble at all with them, they fit me like a glove, and are shooters. I just recently bought a Bailkal IZH94, which is a rifle/shtogun combo, 12 gauge over 30-06, I should be getting it in a week or so.
So if you have the capability of checking the gun out closely, and can see that Reminton didn't cheapen it up with heardood versus walnut, etc., my personal opinion is you will get your grandson one fine gun, that will last his lilfetime, and his kids lifetime if properly taken care of. Just my personal opinion, I feel the Baikal is one fine gun.
Sincerely,
Garry
