We used Remington 870 pump shotguns in the Marine Corps overseas on Embassy Duty. I can't say if it's the most reliable or best pump shotgun out there, but it's the standard that all others compare to. It's a VERY GOOD shotgun. Easy to take apart, simple to change barrels on, and utterly reliable no matter how dirty it gets. In the Marines, we had pistol grips and folding stocks along with the longer tube for holding shells. I think we could hold 8 rounds, but I'm not positive on that. If it's for home defense, or shooting snakes, then you can have more then 3 rounds in it. If it's for duck hunting, you better not get caught with the plug removed or being able to hold more shells. Game Wardens love to give out tickets for that during duck season!!!!
I hated that pistol grip and folding stock. When we had to go to the range to practice and what the Marines called Fam Fire, it would get painful very quickly. The angle of the pistol grip out all the recoil on your wrist. By the time I finished with the first box of ammo, I was feeling it.
After getting out, my first shotgun was a Remington 870 cheapy. I bought a couple different chokes for quail or duck hunting. It has a wood stock and is a basic bare bones workhorse. I broke the stock once in a off road roll over, and it was easy and cheap to replace it with another one. I rarely clean it, it has rust on it, and it's what I grab when I need a shotgun quickly.
I have other shotguns now, including some high dollar auto loaders that are very nice for duck hunting. But if I could have just one, it would be the Remington 870, or something very similar. If you are buying your first shotgun, that's where I would start.
