I would suggest a nice used Browning Citori 12 gauge. I would recommend one of the older Sporting Clays models. This should run in the $1000-1400 range. The newer discontinued models are a big step up in price, and won't fill the casual use need any better. It will last a lifetime (or 3!) and is already at the bottom of the price cycle. You can shoot Skeet, Sporting Clays, small game, Waterfowl and even Zombies with it! Smaller gauges are available, and have their place, but usually the price goes up a big step as the gauge goes down in size.

This will help you break your nasty Black Plastic addiction!

Ivan