I've shot the Mossberg 500 and also the Winchester pump (not sure of the model 1200 maybe?) Anyhow, I'm a Remington man...My 870 has never failed me, but the Mossberg is tried and true too....Seems to me most major companies have pretty much perfected the pump action shotgun...I seldom hear of anyone having a problem....
One of the nice things about a cheap 500 or 870 Express is that you don't feel bad taking the spray paint to it for a camo job...
Mine is fitted with adjustable fiber optic rifle sights..I got the kind that are magnetic, but once I got them in position, I glued them down with apoxy...
This February I'll be striping my 870 down and giving it a fresh camo job...