Ithaca model 37 - had one growing up. Wish I still did. Own and 870 now and it does not compare.

this one

then this one

I sure don't what the best shotgun ever made was but I have 3
pretty good ones. I have a Win 1300 with the green lamenated
stocks, a Benelli SBE, and a Win model 101. I like all 3 so much that
I don't know if I could pick a favorite. I also used to have a Browning
BPS, that I wish I still had, and a Win SuperX 2.

Auto - Benelli
Pump - Benelli
OU - Beretta
SxS - Mmmmhhhh, - Merkel

yes the remington 870 is the best shotguns thats all i really use. I use it for deer hunting and for small game. Shotguns are the best guns ever made.

A vote for the Win Model 12 here. I put it in the "pace-setter" class.

I would imagine that few 870's that are USED often...will still be servicable in 40-80 years like the Model 12's are.