I've accumulated a few candidates. L to R: Rem 870 12ga, Rem 870 12ga, Ithaca Deerslayer 12ga, Ithaca Deerslayer 12ga, Ithaca Featherweight 16ga. SO...I'd probably recommend an old Remington 870 or Ithaca 37
Yep, those are two great choices. Only problem is that Remington isn't quite Remington anymore. Not like it was when those were made. So, today, it's a bit of a crap shoot if you go with a new Remington. Might be better off buying a mechanically nice used one from twenty or so years ago.
Ithaca is also a new company, i.e., another company bought the name and design and is manufacturing them at a different location. But I hear they are doing a great job of it.