I also recommend going with the LE/Mil models or older sporting models rather than the more recent ones, which have been "cheapened" considerably through the use of plastic components and lower quality finishes.
Maybe back in the 90s. Pick up a new one. Plus, in the last 10 years, I've run across 3 870s that had such crappy sights you had to adjust the rear all the way to the left to get on paper, 2 that had serious fit/finish issues, and one that we had to beat the butt of the gun on the floor to get the bolt to open, while holding the bolt release and pump.both get the job done, but man those mossbergs rattle alot
All the while Mossberg quality, product line, and innovation continues to flourish.
If you call that ridiculous "Chainsaw," adding a .50BMG muzzle brake to a .22 rifle, and bringing out yet another AR-15 pattern rifle "innovations"...
Neither. For pump guns my choice is a Mossberg 590A1 SPX 9 shot, 20" heavy barrel, parkerized, ghost ring sights. Heavier barrel than the 500, magazine cap instead of sealed magazine (so you can clean it easier), and bayonet lug that accepts the same bayonets the M16 does. Plus you get an extra round of capacity. To some people a bayonet seems silly, but I think the one gun that oughta have a bayonet above all others is a shotgun.
870 from Tactical Shotgunner!!!! I love it and wouldnt trade it for the world. All weapons have some flaws, the trick is deciding which ones you can live with and which ones bug you so much you have to dump her... I mean sell the gun