I bought my Remington Model 870 12ga in 1976. I sold a Model 37 featherweight 16ga to buy it. Worst decision ever.
I was a practical young kid back then. I thought that 16ga was going away. The Ithaca was damaged by a fall on the ice and I decided to let it go. The Remington has been flawless but it lacked the quality of the Ithaca. Remington has more stamped parts. I'm starting to get used to the Remington at 44years.