Snipped from Bill's post.
What's up with Pflueger reels. I know some very distinguished casters who
use them. I don't get all the screws that hold them together. Is this a
cost savings, or am I missing something? Yet holding one, they seem sturdy
and well manufactured. I'm thinking specifically of the 1400 series, which
has been around for a thousand years.

I put a dab of glue under the screw head to prevent the screws from backing
out. I never used the riveted model so I can't say with certainty why the
switch to screws but I suspect the rivets worked loose over time and were not
easily repairable. Just a guess.
Though modern manufacturing processes might enable another solution to
whatever problem they had, the design has inertia on its side so I think the
screws will stay.

It has had a pretty good run.
http://flyreelsonline.hypermart.net/...rHistoryII.htm

Does anyone use them?
Yep.
I lost my US made Medalist after a number of good years of use during the
"disposal" of a rod. Bought a new one but by then manufacture had been
switched to Japan. I still have that one though I seldom use it anymore but it
has held up remarkably well over the years I did. Then production was moved to
China with the results one might expect though they have probably improved by
now.
That said, my most used reel is a Chinese made 1492 on my small stream rod,
probably 10-15 years old now. I added a counterbalance on the spool
(essential) and removed the line guard. It takes a real beating over rocks as
I'm not timid with it - I don't hesitate to drop the rod if I need the free
hand to keep from falling and I've used the reel end of the rod for a wading
staff. I'm not sure another reel would stand up under what I've put this one
through.
They're cheap and a US made one off ebay can be had for not too much more than
the cost of a new Chinese one.

If so, what are the advantages for the 3-figure reels?
Better drag, palming ring, better finish, lighter, quieter, no oddball reel
foot (but it's fixed now?), styling and importantly, status.

Kiyu