I own a 835 and a 870, each gun is different in it's own way, the 870 is lighter, but the 835 throws a much better pattern. One thing I did find out the hard way is that the 870 is much more tempermentale when exposed to the elements. She started to rust on me the second day I got her. I take care of my guns to, just couldn't believe it. With the right setup both are killing machines, but for me it's the 835 because of it's devestating pattern.