re: Inexpensive HD shotgun?

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I was originally looking at the 870 and the Mossberg 500 but these cost a lot less and have just as good of reviews.

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These weapons are the gold standard for a reason. Large numbers of accessories (especially the 500), exceptionally large user base - each weapon probably has ~ 1 to 2 million owners, at least in some configurtion (lots of 870 express owners out there). I assure you, it is not a fad, not a fashion statement, not brand snobbery (especially in Mossberg's case). The Remington is generally a smoother action, little more solid, a little heavier and a little more expensive. The Mossberg is generally a little easier to accessorize, a little lighter and a little less expensive.

Pick the one you like the best. If you MUST deviate, I would suggest the Savage/Stevens because that Ithaca shotgun upon which it is patterned was a popular police shotgun prior to the dominance of Remington/Mossberg in police pumps, and Benelli in police semi-autos. I have little experience with the Maverick 88 and no familiarity with the Norinco 982 - I'm not saying I'm close-minded, but a HD shotgun, by definition, means I'm trusting it to defend my life, and more importantly, the lives of my family, and I just don't see where saving a few bucks here and there is worth that kind of anxiety.