878 Automaster

[tudurgs]

An 878 was my first 12 gauge. I have never heard of one with a vent rib barrel. It was basically a low-end gun which followed the M58, and was soon replaced by the 1100. The gun was also private labeled thru Mongomery Ward. I had two barrels with mine - 26" open choke and 28' tight choke

[Virginian]

I just happen to have 2 of the Sportsman 58s, both skeet models.
Maybe it is just me, but I have better luck with funtion of them than I do with the 1100.

It's just you. A friend and his Dad both had 58s, and let me shoot them a lot. I came close to biting the bullet on a Model 58 forty-seven years ago, and then I picked up an 1100. I have never regretted it for a moment. The 58 is a nice handling gun, but the 1100 is great.