You used to come across more "quirky and eccentric".
Now you sound nuts.
Before you commit to anything serious, please give it some sober thought (emphasis on sober)
It's your first gun.
Take it apart, clean it, fondle it, get to know it.
Stay up late with it and tell it your dreams.
Rub some g96 on it.
My first gun (like my first child) got by the book care and attention.
The rest of my guns (like the rest of my children) get whatever I have time for.
I was about to suggest to get the combo, but I see you figured that out.
My first shotgun was a maverick with a short barrel.
A couple years ago I bought a 28" barrel for it as well, so I could actually use it for practical things. Hindsight being 2020, buying the combo together at the start...
The more "guests" that are viewing, the more jwire can charge for advertising. Its genius.
Someone make a scooby doo meme where they say "let's just see who these bots really are", and they pull the mask off the swamp monster, and its jwire.
:)