i have one of each. I like the both. I have put WAY more rounds thru the 500 and it works like the day i bought it. the 870 feels a little tighter but they both work and wouldn't feel bad about either one.

Why not get an auto-loader? 11-87 is a nice gun.

I'm really trying to close the deal for under $250 and shotguns aren't very important to me. Just an opinion. I prefer to spend money elsewhere, but I would like a long gun with a red dot for deer hunting.

Get a mavrick pump-made by mossberg,exactly same function,just cheaper stock-they usually run less than 150$ new.

870 works well