I bought a winchester 1300 speed pump about 6yrs ago, LOVE THE GUN, but this year I decided to upgrade to an auto, and i was faced with the same question. I also own a 3.5" Mosberg Maverick that i won in a "big deer contest". I thought the internals sucked, and the gun was the worst thing i ever sholdered, the gun is still in the box with only 3 rounds through it, there it sits in my safe.....after looking at ALOT of diffrent guns I couldn't find anything that even came close to fitting me...then it happend, i walked into the local sporting goods store, who is having there "going out of buisness" sale, it was everything i could want in a gun. a Browning Gold Hunter 3.5 12 gauge, in Shadow grass make-up, and the new "Dura-Touch, armor coating". I added to it a "Limb Saver" butt pad to help with the punch of those 3 1/2 inchers. now is all I need is a pettern master and she'll be complete! anyways, thats my "ULTIMATE" duck gun, one problem, pri$e tag, complete package ran me about 1,200.00 bucks...1,050 for gun $50 for limb saver then $85 for choke tub.......my $.02