For under $1k I picked up a couple 12 gauge Browning Citori Upland O/U shotguns used. I think they were made in the 80's or 90's. I remember shooting one owned by a friend of Dad's back then and swearing I would own one someday. For upland I absolutely love mine.
I even shoot trap league with it and get lots of looks. Without extended choke tubes it wouldn't even fit in the gun rack on the trap range. I shoot trap on a windy hill top though and shooting fast works best for me, not giving the wind time to mess with targets. My gun usually doesn't get scoffed at after I shoot.
I did have a gunsmith add a 1/2" recoil pad for trap shooting and dove hunting, the light gun does kick enough to feel it the next day after shooting 50+ shells.