I paid 165.00 for my Mossberg 500 persuader, with both stocks NIB. It was on sale at Sports Authority and it was too good to pass up. Mine was a 18.5 inch 6 shot model as opposed to the 20 inch 9 shot. Depending on what you are after, the 500 would be a great HD gun. You should be able to get a used Maverick/Mossberg 500 Persuader/Cruiser for around 175-225.00 and less for a used one. 285.00 is a lot of money for this gun, unless it has the carbon fiber stocks. You should be able to buy a Winchester 1300 Defender or Remington 870 HD for around 250.00, which is what they go for around here. I hated my Mossberg 500. The trigger was horribulous. It was extremely heavy, so much so that not only was it difficult to pull but it destroyed any type of accuracy. It never loosened up or got any better. The first time I went to fire it, the trigger was so
stiff I thought the safety was on.... Recoil was also substantial, compared to other shotguns. Personally, the only Mossberg combat shotgun worth owning is the 590A1, or the plain 590 and as a 9 shot. All bias aside, the Remington 870 is the foremost combat shotgun on the planet and is second to none. Despite its short-comings, this my 500 was absolutely abused*thats really an understatement* I got it for a song, so I didn't really care if I broke/scratched it. It fired more tha 1500 rounds of 8 shot, 000 and 00 buckshot and various slugs. I cleaned it once, right after I bought it. This gun never so much as hiccuped, it was completely reliable and never failed me. Again, as a HD shotgun, it would be an excellent choice as its lack of durability wouldn't be an issue.Do remember to get used to the trigger, as it definatly takes some familiarization. They are way out of line on thier price, unless its a 9 shot...but even then, I paid 315.00 for a 590 with ghost rings and a Speedfeed I stock....granted it was used, but in excellent shape. My reccomendation is to buy an 870, or find a 500 which is priced much more realisticly.