I got an M-500 and for the money you can't go wrong....I've had it five years and bagged four birds with it...had my first miss so I can't say it(the gun) never misses, but I'm sure that was due to a "Nut" attached to the trigger

The factory choke seesm fine to me... I run Winnie's, Feds, or Hevi-shot through it and I've got kills out to 47 paces. No need for a 31/2 inch shell this bugger kicks good enough...they're a good gun and the price you paided is about right for the model.