Thanks for the input. I assumed it was probably a bit of misinformation I was receiving. I probably won't buy a new barrel as I've priced them in the $200 plus range. I'm considering buying a whole new gun. I have been looking at the 11-87, mossberg 930, weatherby sa-08, and the stoeger M2000. I'm leaning real hard towards the weatherby. I looked at an 11-87 last week and it looked as bad as the budget 870 with a $650 dollar price tag.