I carried one everyday on Patrol and never felt that I was outgunned. We carried both slugs and buckshot. Our 870's were issued with rifle sights and mine was an exceptionally good shooter with slugs. Had mine adjusted for 50 yd zero and that old forged receiver action was smooth as butter.
Went on vacation and came back to find my old friend had been replaced/updated with one of the new cast receivered "Express" versions that was tight as a drum. I put a bunch of rounds through it and sat in front of the tv cycling the action to get it loosened up to where it was usable. Unfortunately the new replacement "Express" 870 had a MAJOR/FATAL magazine tube glitch that caused shells to stick in the tube. (But that's another story.)
I still keep one fully loaded around the house in retirement.