I also got the 870 slug gun. Its took more deer than you could fill a rail car. But like you it kicked alot and I just wanted a new gun with a cantilever mount. Alot of my friends had the 11-87 and a few had jamming issues which I am told they fixed this year. One had a bore that was about 2/1000" too small from the tooling cycle while making the barrels. But after they got that cleared up, its been a good gun. I can't brag enough about my new Gold Stalker I got a few weeks ago. Its already took three deer and I didn't even take out any of my rifles this year. I have shot about 40 rounds thru it. Copper solids 2 3/4" does the best. Fed. Hydroshocks, the worst, Lightfields also got 3" groups at 100 yards. But a few groups I got 1" groups or one hole with three shots. Can't do this everytime but it is averaging 2". I picked it up for 700 dollars after the rebate. Only thing I don't like is high price for the shotgun barrel which I havn't picked up yet. I think $336 is a little high.

But with all that said, another person on here has jamming problems with thier gold slug gun he got this year. So its a toss up.