when I was looking to buy a 12 ga, I checked out both the 870 and the 500. The 870 felt solid, while the 500 felt tinny. Ended up getting the 870 with a 20" IC barrel with rifle sights. At 50 yds, it would group either Winchester or Remington slugs into 2-3/4" groups all day long if I did my part. When I got into turkey hunting, I looked for a 2nd barrel with removable chokes. Ended up buying an 870 Express 3" chamber. by simply switching chokes, it does double duty for both turkeys and geese. Never had any trouble from either gun, the first one is about 40 yrs old, and probably has had 2500 rds. through it. I shot skeet with it for about 3 summers, but it is my dedicated deer gun now.