CJ, that's what the guy at the gun shop said. The Benelli just fit me perfectly and felt good, and I think I'm going to want to have some stock work done on the Beretta eventually, but that's no big deal.
I can't wait to get started this season. I spoke to Blaze's trainer last night (Blaze has been gone for 6 whole weeks!

) and he said Blaze is doing great and will take me as far as I let him in field trials, which probably translates to "as far as I can afford to go".
He did say that he's running "big gun dog range", not all-age range, although that can change since his first birthday is next week, but that being the case, I should be able to hunt over him too.
Trainer wouldn't commit to when he'd be able to come home but I'm hoping to have him back by September or October, at the latest. Since we started a little earlier than planned, the trainer has to wait until some maturity issues resolve themselves to move to steadying him to wing and shot, and did say that he's seen Blaze's stubborn streak come out a few times, so he didn't want to commit to how long it would take.
I miss my little guy, but the trainer confirmed that Blaze LOVES to be worked and has adjusted really well.