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I'm a newbie on here so give it to me straight fellas..
I am going to buy a new autoloader but can't decide, I was thinking 1187 for a long time but now maybe a browning silver or maybe something else. For years I have relied on my 870 and been happy. Mostly I hunt Turkey and deer but sometimes birds. I just had my 870 finished in camo for turkey and now need a new gun for deer and the occasional bird ( so the wife thinks.. wink wink)

I know there are many factors so I'll tell you I don't mind some recoil but don't want a mule. I also dont want a gun that looks like it was in a spy movie. I will probably buy a gun with a smooth bore rifle sighted barrel so I can shoot rifled slugs, I know sabots seem to be better but I can't really afford $4 a shot, hunting costs enough as is. I am willing to spend $ for a good gun but if I buy A SBE2 it better make me wanna make love to it constantly, and would add I don't know as though I would use it enough to make it a sensible investment (maybe 50 rds a year) At the same time, the first time my new gun fails me I'll scream. I would like a weather tough finish cause when I do get time to go out, I go out no matter the conditions. So if you guys could give a short list before I go out and shoulder a few I would be greatful. Oh, I almost forgot, I only use 2.75 & 3" loads though the option of 3.5" loads might be nice if I get the "wild hair"

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Remington 11-87, if it fits you. The main advantage of more "modern" designs is the ability to slightly adjust stock fit with shims. If the 11-87 fits out of the box, the option of this adjustment is meaningless. The 11-87 is relatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, parts (including replacement barrels) are available everywhere... what's not to love?

If I were in your situation, I wouldn't buy one gun! I would buy one gun and a barrel.

For the rifled slugs, I would buy a slug barrel for my 870 and then I would buy myself a nice semi-auto such as a Browning Silver for my upland hunting.

You can purchase both for less than a SBE, the 870 with a slug barrel makes a wonderful deer hunting firearm, and the Browning is a beautiful firearm and would be tough to beat as a bird hunting gun.

There are many ways and shotguns for your situation but this is the way I would go.

Good luck with your decision and good shooting.

I went and looked at BPS today and I think I'm gonna go with the 1187 w/ IC slug barrel and will likely buy the bird barrel seperate. The Browning is a beautiful gun and did feel about the same at the shoulder as the 1187. At the moment there are 2 issues w/ the browning 1 being price difference and 2 the 1187 had a more familiar feel to me when I shouldered it. However I would enjoy showing off the silver hunter to my buddies. I did not buy but will give it 1 more week but at this point the 1187 seems to fit me and my needs better @ $649

Welcome to SGW. I like Basstar's recommendation about buying a slug barrel for the 870. Models like the Beretta 390 Wal Mart, 3901, Browning Silver, Franchi 712 (Dicks Diamond) would all be good choices for an all around model without large price tags.

If you look around you mioght be able to find a Browning Gold, Weatherby SAS, or Winchester SX2 in stock on close out for a good deal.

Just be careful, synthetic stock Remington's have a shorter LOP out of the box vs their wood stock field counterparts. While only the 11-87 waterfowl is listed on the website at it's actual LOP of 13.75" the rest are wrong at their listed 14". While you may not notice it at first you might not shoot it the same unless your old 870 is also a synthetic model also.