How much do you want to spend on the gun? On the scope? Does made in USA matter or will you buy whatever matches your budget?

I have an 870 and I like it, but it is not my preference for a slug gun. I do not feel like the bolt stays firm enough on the chamber; it wiggles. I do, however, manage to get 1" or less groups at 50 yards using rifled slugs with the SMOOTH barrel with a Wad Wizard choke (only using the front bead). Kinda surprised me.

Anyway, if I had it ALL to do over again and needed a shotgun for deer, I would not buy the 870 but would buy something more "dedicated" to being a slug gun. I now have a Marlin 512 Slugmaster and it's the bee's knees. It's a bolt action slug gun and once I found the right ammo for it, I was able to shoot 1" groups at 100 yards with iron sights. I plan on scoping it this season with a Leupold Ultimate Slam, which I will use on my muzzleloader during the earlier season and switch over to my Slugmaster during regular firearms season.

Other shotguns to consider...the Ithica Deerslayer and the Savage 220 F. And there's nothing wrong with buying a used gun.