i dont have a mossberg 500, but i do have a 835, mossberg builds a great tough gun, i would also not rule out a remington 870, what are you going to be hunting, both guns can be fitted with slug barrels. there is nothing wrong with the nef, and barrels can also be changed out on them within a lower budget, the only drawback is being single shot, they are great little guns, i own two, a .243 and a .204, but for a shotgun and possible bird hunting i would want the luxury of the changeable chokes and quick follow up shot

check pawn shops both 835's and 870's can be bought with interchangeable chokes, changing out barrels is simple, as is cleaning, and servicing, hard to beat either, and i'm sure the 500 mossberg is also

OH YEA!!! welcome to the forums