docdb,
To further illustrate my previous post, I'll relate a funny story here...
Several years ago, a fellow I know who's a practicing Doctor of Psychology and nationally aclaimed author, was on a local T.V. game show and was the big winner for a number of shows. As a result, he ended up with a fairly nice windfall of "mad money", and had long wanted to take up Duck Hunting.
He went to a local gun shop, that's known for its high prices, but equally nice selection of firearms. The owner "helped him out" by recommending a certain shotgun and selling it to him.
Later, this aquaintance called me up for directions on "how" to start duck hunting.
I inquired about his gun and he told me that this gun store had sold him a beautiful, used, Browning Superposed in 12 ga.
I winced when I heard this, knowing our mucky, muddy and usually wet terrain.
I suggested to him that he go and purchase a Remington 870 "Duck Gun", in this case it was a 26" barrelled "870SP". The less expensive 870 "Express"s weren't available at that time or else I probably would have just recommended one of those.
So, my new to hunting aquaintance went out and ended up joining forces with another hunting friend of mine.
This report came back to me. "Al was out there...he shot his 1st ever duck and it was a cripple, so Al (without a dog as yet) waded out to pick it up. He hadn't gotten 15' from the water's edge when the terrible sucking mud, which this area has quite a bit of, overcame his sense of balance and he and his new 870 took a header into the drink!
He came up with a barrel clogged full of mud and water dripping out of every opening in the action!"
Just for reference, that location was just a short distance from and looks just like this place
http://community.webshots.com/photo/86756348/86762629QhRuzhMy friends helped Al out, got a stick and pushed the mud out of his barrel, and washed the mud out of his action by swishing it in the lake's water. After a good water wash, the 870 proceded to shoot several more ducks that day!
You can't believe how relieved this fellow was that it WASN'T his Browning Superposed that cost about 6 times what he paid for that 870! BTW, a further cleaning and rinsing at home, followed by a nice coat of oil kept that 870 working just fine for many more seasons.