if interested in older options, you can find deals. I have bought 3x 16s in the last 6 months for nearly a song.

1-Ranger (Stevens 311) SxS. $200 ~1938ish. Not beautiful and not shot it yet, but should be very functional. IC/M and will shoot skeet and ducks (bismuth loads) with it.

2-3 - bought as a pair $550 shipped. ~50ish Ithaca Mdl 37 very open IC. 1926 Winchester Mdl 12 with poly choke. Had a broken stock ($40 repair) and only shoots 2 1/2" ($110 case RSTs). But history 101!

$800 for 3. Cabelas has 2 3/4" shells for ~$6/box. Bismuth non-toxic waterfowl loads for same price as 12 ga.

There are some cool old 16s out there. If you want a Browning A5 can find them for ~$500-$600. and if you cant tell, I REALLY like the older guns.