I know you said you dont like the 870 express, but another choice would be the 870 SPS T Super Mag Camo. This is an awful lot of gun and Bass Pro has it for $449 through Sunday March 28th. It will handle any length 12 guage shell and it is finished im Mossy Oak Break Up. If I wasnt so satisfied with my Express model I would probably get one of these. Come to think of it, maybe I could convince my wife I was gonna give the old one to my little boy. Naaaaa, she would probably point out that he is only two.

One other thought you might want to consider is a good used gun. My brother picked up a Browning A-5 Magnum last year for $525. This is one of the great shotguns of all time, and if it needs a little work any gunsmith worth his salt can fix them.

Good luck whatever you decide!