I have seen Mavericks for as low as $149 new in the box. I have never heard any complaints as to their functioning, other than the action isn't overly smooth, but for not much more you can get an Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. I think if you plan on using it often for more than a few years, you might as well spend the little extra now. But for the money, I can certainly see buying one. :grin: