Outdoorsman, Had an 870 with rifled barrel,doesn' t compare to marlin and not even close to Browning Abolt!Proven fact bolt action guns are the most accurate action,thats why 90% of all rifles are bolt.And as far as fast shooting bolts can be worked very fast and efficiently.I got this same kind of reaction at hunting camp when I showed up using a Bolt action,but dead deer every year with one shot kills as quieted most skeptics
As far as cost of an Abolt Browning I found mine for $400.Marlin slugmaster512 is a good quality gun with a heavey bull barrel for the money