I was a Gunner's Mate in the USN, and on my ship the landing force locker was filled with 870's. Years later, I drove armored car for Brinks. Again, the 870 was their shotgun of choice. I've owned a couple Mossberg 500's, and I have nothing against them, except their rather plain finish. I never once had any type of problem, though. But my current HD shotgun (I'm not a bird hunter) is an 870 Wingmaster, 20" barrel, mag extention, fiber optic bead. It combines function with form, and just does it for me.