Hmm, Ohio?
If I recall correctly Ithaca arms (formerly of Ithaca NY) is now in production in Ohio. An Ithaca model 37 carries great all day, is smooth, and you can interchange barrels with a ventilated rib field barrel.. They are well known for decades for their accuracy as slug guns and reliability. Sure, a Remington 870 is a good gun also having interchangeable barrel capability, but having owned several of both: the Ithaca is significantly lighter, has a threaded twist in barrel that shoots markedly tighter than the 870s (taking into account individual slug preferences), and dang, there is the pride of having a home state gun to boot. I have also owned Mossbergs, and they cant hold a candle to either of the other for manufacturing quality or slug groups.

+1 Two barrel combo

From what I have read so far the 870 seems to be a very reliable gun.
The other one that I was looking at and considering was the new Remington 887. The only thing I have read so far is that it sounds like the gun was designed for bird? Not sure if this is true though.
I was only looking for a pump because I also wanted it for home protection as well.

I cut my teeth on an Ithaca 37 -

If it were me, I rather have a better used gun than a new el-cheapo one.

Ithaca is a great gun an 870 with a hastings Barrel is a great gun, but in my opinion if you can shoot single shot which I love to do then go with the Thompson, Encore or Pro Hunter. You will pay big dollars but they cant be beat. My son still shoots my 870 I gave him in NY