Bulldog:

Since you're ordering a .500 as opposed to something like a 7X65R, I suggest that you get a splinter fore-end.

The only purpose of the fore-end wood of a double rifle is to house the fore-end iron. It isn't intended as a "grip" or "handle" of any kind. The checkering on the fore-end is strictly decorative. The forward hand grips the barrels when shooting, not the fore-end. A beavertail, especially if too long, only encourages an incorrect hold and adds useless weight. This can cause problems.

The fore-end attaches to the gun via a stud that is soldered to the barrels called the fore-end loop. This solder joint can sometimes fail, even on guns of the highest quality. While this failure is most common on side by side shotguns used in high volume shooting, it can also be a problem with heavy caliber double rifles that generate lots of recoil. In both cases, due to incorrect hold and the extra weight, those with beavertail fore-ends are the worst offenders. When this happens, you're done until you can get it soldered back on. Not what you want in a heavy double intended for the heaviest game found only in the "furtherest shag".

I'm not saying that this problem is particularly common, just that it does happen and is just one more thing to go wrong that doesn't need to be invited.
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