The Stoeger may be the way to go. M3000 is the model I am considering. It is "cheap" and will get my foot in the door. Wouldn't mind finding a nice used 1187 though!
No go on the red barn. They had a couple a5's and one 1100. All above your range. If going for ducks and ray says stoeger, that's what I would go with, dude knocks them down.
Ive had numerous shot guns over the years including a 1100 and 870 that I couldn't ruffle a feather with, but my old beat up 500 fits me best.I can definitely hold my own with it. Just saying check the fit on them and see how they shoulder for ya, everyone is different.
For 500$, get 2 or 3 500's/mavericks. I have a soft spot for them cuz one was my first and took all game you could imagine with the 2 bbl combo, and made all my best shots with one, unlimited aftermarket options. They certainly aren't one of the 3 B's, Browning, Benelli, Baretta.
