Im at this crossroad now too. I now want a slug gun and I gave been looking at a few different ones. Its between the 870 and the 500. The place im actually looking is pretty much the same deal. Both wood stocks, both come with a slug barrel and a shot barrel, the only difference is the remington is 100 bucks more than the mossberg. I have never shot a 500 but from what I understand the are pretty much the same. Any more opinions on this subject?