advice on first shotgun for HD

[Minuteman]

this is what i would recommend for you.
http://www.mdshooters.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=8926

this is a good deal, and the seller is a good guy.

Whichever you choose, think about putting a nice tactical light on it. In a home defense situation in the middle of the night (or anywhere for that matter), you don't want to shoot what you can't see. A strobe light is great, too, because you would disorient the bad guy while being able to see perfectly clearly.

All good advice...but these two are:
Best advice here so far.

 

[BrewDoc_MD]

I went by Glade Valley Sporting goods today and mentioned I was in the market for a shotgun for HD. First thing they recommended was the Maverick 88. It's basically a Mossberg 500 (but not as expensive due to the use of some parts made in Mexico; still assembled in the USA) and can be modified and accessorized using the interchangeable 500 parts and mods.

 

[Darkemp]

I went by Glade Valley Sporting goods today and mentioned I was in the market for a shotgun for HD. First thing they recommended was the Maverick 88. It's basically a Mossberg 500 (but not as expensive due to the use of some parts made in Mexico; still assembled in the USA) and can be modified and accessorized using the interchangeable 500 parts and mods.

Except the 88 cannot have an aftermarket forend installed like the 500 can, it is permanently attached. Otherwise pretty much identical. Step up to a 590 though, you can't beat that one for durability and overall cool factor.

 

[GlockGuy]

this is what i would recommend for you.
http://www.mdshooters.com/vbclassified.php?do=ad&id=8926

this is a good deal, and the seller is a good guy.

+1
The Mossberg 500 is a great gun, and this one listed in the classified section looks like a good deal (especially since it comes with the Knoxx stock).