add another vote for the 870, a very tuff and simple gun, you can play with it in a mudd puddle and the thing will still function properly, on the NEF single shot, i got one in 243 cal. and its a decent shooting gun. there are people out there that really love em. i use mine for shooting coyotes off my back porch, i have higher priced stuff that stays in a safe and leave the nef out for critter emergancies[:-]. best of luck i think you'll be happy with either/both