I was in the furniture industry. or upholstery for 65 years. IF this pistol lasts, it is qualitatively on par with BEA, Senco etc. The balance is good, the nose of the gun is tapered; This makes it comfortable, and the tapered nose makes it easy when you need to hold a narrow row of staples. I've used about 15,000 staples in this gun so far without it sticking. I've used the BEA for years and this gun feels the same, staples load the same way. This gun operates at about 20psi less pressure than my other guns and drives 1/2" staples at 65psi. Very good if it passes the endurance test