Sorry people. I made a mistake. It wasn't the Stevens 350 that has loading problems but the mossberg 12 gauge pump shotgun. Again sorry for the mistake

We run all Mossberg. 500 and 590A1 I have put them through hell and never had an issue, the 590A1 is the only one that servived the US millitary testing. but again Rem/moss is kind of like the ford Chevy thing with good mods thay are both excelent wepons just depends on what works best for you. I do like the fact Remington now has a 12 1/2 inch barell that is not restricted but you do loose mag capacity.

No problem DaVinci - good to know. Thanks for all the input! Once again, not my dream shotgun, but for $190? Can't go wrong 😉

When the thing arrives, I'll put it through it's paces and write up a review

It seems to be conditioned in to us all to seek the cheapest option. Like all your important stuff, if the gun you buy is the only one you have, it should be a good one. Your third shotgun you can gamble with, but not your only one.

If you're going to put all your eggs in one basket, at least get a good basket.

Hey Perfesser, I hear ya on that. I do think that you get what you pay for, but there is a premium for brand names. Not being a rich man, I have to pick and choose where I get premium quality stuff, and where I can cheap out!

In this case, I know this isn't going to be the highest quality shotty out there, but I'd rather have a mediocre shotgun than none at all. I plan to save up and get something better quality in the future, and keep this as a spare.

I didn't say expensive.
A Mossgerg 500 or Remington 870 is not high dollar stuff but you can be sure that when you need them to work, they do. Not so confident with a Dominion Arms.
Just pay enough to get one that you can count on, especially if it's your only one.

The DA is $300 and is known for feeding problems. An 8 shot Mossy can be had for $20 more.
http://www.theammosource.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_5_100&products_id=1587

I didn't get the DA - I got a Stevens 350 - on sale for $190!

A center fire rifle, a .22 thats reliable and a shotgun,20-12ga. if you have a restricted licence, a .22 /.38-357 revolver. lots of range practice with the handguns. That covers it. NN

A shotgun would be useful to get out of dodge or for defence purposes but as a hunting tool a .22 or a rifle are what you would bring into the woods. a shotgun has no range and is very heavy not to mention loud as compared to a .22.
as a competive shooter useing pistols-rifles-and shotguns and a hunting/weapons fanatic/guide all you need is a cheap savage or stevens in a 308 and a ruger 10-22 is top drawer. -another entry level, cheap high capacity hunting/defence rifle with a 10 shot mag is a 303 british -you can pick one up for free to 50 bucks and are more than good enough for a 150+ yard shot no matter how old and abused they are.
Many hunting guides carry one, including myself =one guide had a wounded moose charge him and that war proven rifle saved his bacon-And my $30 303 took down a mature boar grizz at close range and saved my hide aswell.
Don't get me wrong I love shotguns -i shoot duck and geese -turkeys every year with mine and have shot several bear and deer with my trusted rem 870combo =18 inch slug & 28 inch bird barrel also have a few win defenders. Due not buy one with a pistol grip only unless you like stitches and missing teeth.I cannot tell you how many people i know that have wounds and that i have witnessed splitting their nose from the tip up an inch and a half. My friends that still have them and say they work great ,because of their size and weight. Admit that they haven't really used them but the idea is sweet
and the pistol grip pokes in to your back-and hangs up on everything. I had a win defender with a pistol grip and a folding shoulder stock for years with special side swivels to carry it over your shoulder but dumped it!

Just a thought, Cabela's sells a nice mossberg 12 guage with both fowl and slug barrels.

http://www.cabelas.ca/product/3964/mossberg-500-combo-3-12-gauge-pump-shotgun

For the shoppers out there one thing to think about regarding the 3 models of top shotguns/riot guns= rem-win-mossberg
is that my friends and i personaly do not like some of the the mossberg's features= the saftey is located on the top of the rear grip ...right out in the open. Not protected by a trigger guard -in a close combat or tight/bushy spot that saftey could easyly be knocked onto safe in a very unsafe combat/defence situation. An example pulling it in and out of a car window-or runing for your life with your weapon in hand through thick bush only to shoulder it and nothing happens? Also the shell loading area on the bottom is an open hole =no pivoting cover plate = agreat place to fill full of mud and debree while resting it, lying and manuvering in the prone {laying down} position.
For using a full stocked shotgun or rifle with a pistol grip in a close quarters situation, carry the stocked recoil pad end out side of your bicep not under your armpit- for quick sight alighnment and corner shooting. A great deal on shot shells is walmart or canadian tire in their 100 packs for $30ish bucks for #4's
cheers

Good points grizzlydueck. One small thought I had though. Any safety can be accidentlly tripped, that is why it should never be trusted to stay either on or off. If you practice to make a check of the safety every time you bring the weapon up to bear it will should never become a problem because you will know if it is on or off. As for the open hole, as long as you are aware of the potential issues they can be mitigated. Even a closed hole can become blocked. Simplest way to avoid this, don't crawl through mud. 😀

Defiantly do your home work, considering all options and scenarios you might find yourself in and then by the best shotgun/rifle/handgun/knife/bow/crossbow whatever you can realistically afford.

Thanks for the advice on the pistol grip. I was just recommended a Mossberg defender for my bush travels and the size was really appealing. I didn't take the recoil into consideration though.. perhaps a Benelli 3.5" would be better suited..