I don' t see where not having the ability to shoot 3 1/2" shells a handicap. People have been taking game for years with, dare I say it, 2 3/4" shells. At any rate a Mossberg 500 will serve you well and not break your pocketbook. My 500 has been rained on before as have all my guns. As long as you dry them and oil them as soon as you get back it will be fine.