An observation of a general nature:
I've read a number of postings about problems with Benelli shotguns in tactical sitches. I tend to believe them because these postings further the axioms surrounding Italian engineering: artfully designed, creatively conceived, accurately engineered, high on the performance end, but temperemental and delicate in the product incarnation...think of Lamborghinis or Ferraris.
The 870, on the other hand, is a quintessential gringo product: not the prettiest or slickest, but beefy, tough, and dependable. I still think I like my Ithaca better, though...