HKer, The 1300 is a great gun but I would put my money on a 870 Remington. I have 6 of them, 3 in 12 gauge, one in 20, one in 28 and one .410. They are great guns. All steel reciever, dozens of barrels and chokes advaible. I would recommend the 3 1/2" chamber if turkeys are in the mix. They offer a 3" or 3 1/2" combo with a deer barrel and a 28" rem choke barrel. You can add a 18" plain barrel later or just use the deer barrel. If you plan to use buckshot just be sure to get the combo with the smooth bore deer barrel not the fully rifled. If money is an issue I would go with the Mossbeg 500. Barrels, chokes, stocks ect are cheeper and more advailable. But in the long run all three guns will give good sevice. Just remember this is your first shotgun. Don't get to hung up on which one to buy. Shotguns are like golf clubs, you need several or at lest that is the story am sticking to with my wife. Good Luck, MIKE.