Rifletom ,they didn't have ribs on yours because you didn't buy the ribbed model. 870's back then basic model was a plain barrel next up was a 2 3/4" VR model at about $30 more. Same with Magnum models basic plain barrel 3" gun and $30 more got you a rib. In 1980 my VR model 3" gun was $200.00 even ,on sale at Kmart in Yankton SD. The gun guy there at the time was also a loony ,he let me look thru 10 new ones to select the wood I wanted. Ah the bad old days. Magnum Bob
