RE: I am having to give up my...
The 835 ulti mag can shoot 2 3/4" 3" and 3 1/2" shells. I dont know what is wrong with the guns that birdidogs friends have but I can honstly say that I have put a few thousand rounds through mine. Everything from trap loads to the big 3 1/2"mag's. I have taken it apart and put it apart a few times and it is still as tight and smooth as it was when I bought it. Through hunting it has seen its fair share of hard falls and then some.
As far as price to go I find them to be a real good price. Around here a new one goes for about $175.
All and all I would not trade mine for any other pump gun out there. After shooting many (including the very popular bennelli nova) pumps I like the relibalty and shear ruggedness of it. If you seen the scratches and dings it has you will know what I am talking about.