Navydoc: I carried an 870 for three years through some of the worst conditions imaginable and never experienced a single problem. It functioned with dirt and grit in the slide rails, water in the receiver, mud all over it; you name it.
I experienced more problems with an armorer-built M1911 .45ACP during that same period, and that was another excellent weapon, but it didn’t hold a candle to that Remmie.
I ran 2-3/4″ and 3″ shells through it, including magnum loads, and it never hiccupped. Totally reliable and one of those weapons that you literally can stake your life on.