For a new pump gun, the Benelli Nova is very hard to beat. They are impervious to abuse.
For an auto at that price, the Tristar Viper G2 will do what he needs for a long time.
+1. I had one of the early Tristar Viper G2s and it was a solid auto loader. Never had a complaint about it. Only sold it to help fund an O/U. I've seen them since new to gently used in the $350-400 range.
