Cheap shotgun for buying and shell prices

Also, consider choke - many of the older, less expensive guns will have FULL Choke - probably not a good idea to fire steel shot in those - most commonly used for waterfowl (where lead shot is not allowed) - you could chose to use bismuth or other shot for ducks / geese with a full choke, but that stuff tends to be VERY expensive to buy. If you simply want to knock something out of a tree - not migratory birds - then many of us started with full choke, 2 3/4" chamber, single shot. 12 gauge lead shot shells seem cheaper than 28 gauge or .410 to buy - no sense to that, except the amount of demand.
 
Maverick 88 šŸ‘‘ is coming up a lot
I'd also like to shoot porcupine.... if that's allowed. They are eating the trees!
 
You’re going to buy 1 gun so get something that has some quality. An older Rem 870 will work well. A light modified choke is GTG. For most of you shooting target 7&1/2 works. I like 2s for porcupines.
 
Shotguns are amazing. I haven't fired them nearly as much in my life as I would've liked to.

But no time like the present
 
As others have said, the Maverick 88 is a fine first shotgun. If it were me, I would be looking at the Maverick 88 combo with the 18 1/2ā€ security barrel and the 28ā€ field barrel. You can pick them up for about $450 new.
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As others have said, the Maverick 88 is a fine first shotgun. If it were me, I would be looking at the Maverick 88 combo with the 18 1/2ā€ security barrel and the 28ā€ field barrel. You can pick them up for about $450 new.
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The only shot gun you will ever need - and if your lucky enought to find a 24 inch rifled turkey barrel you will be riding high on the Hog.
 
OP - These are all good suggestions.

I own a couple of Chinese 'Hawk Industries' made 870 clones - one is an older H&R Pardner Pump and the other a shorty Blue Line. Both are fantastic, and not just for the price. Bullseye has them on sale for $279 (28" with changeable chokes) and $269 (18.5" with fixed cyl bore) right now. They can use all of the 870 parts if needed, but the forends can be tough to change. Honestly, the original stock is super sturdy. These are very underappreciated.

The Moss 500 and Maverick 88 options are just a bit more $$ but more refined (especially the 500). Good solid choices, especially the 500. Lots of value in the 88s, and there are many different models. The only downside is the forend has pinned action bars and no inner pump sleeve. Not a huge issue, they can be replaced if needed, WAY down the road if ever. Also a huge aftermarket for parts.

The other one to consider is the Stevens 320. These are a clone of the Winchester 1200/1300 design. There are an endless variety of designs and models, but they also offer a field (28") and security (18.5") model, which is very cheap. Being a Chinese copy, there can be some QC issues, but they are also great shooters. I have a 'Turkey' version with a weird thumbhole stock and 22" barrel. Thought I'd hate it, but it's my favorite shotgun right now. Very smooth to run with a rotary bolt head. Pretty slick.

All of these options go on sale all the time. Check Tenda, Bullseye, Bass Pro, FOC, etc. You'll find something on sale easy.

Older Moss 500s and Rem 870s are great too if you know what you're looking for, but for a first purchase, maybe best to stick with something new you can return if there's an issue.
 
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