@ MistWolf - Thanks for you candid input - it is much appreciated. The more time goes by, and as it becomes less of a "new toy", I'm sure the itch to fiddle with it appearance-wise will decline. Who knows - I'm doing research now to find the shorty barrel, and it is looking like it may just be more trouble than it is worth, in which case I'll either just go buy a different shotgun altogether, and just "play" with this one, or have this one sawed off and be done with it. Just want a little home defense to guard my family and other toys.
I haven't seen any marketing for the H&R, just what I've read on this and other forums regarding similarity / differences between the 870 and the Pardner. I haven't spent any time shooting / cleaning / handling the 870, so I have no personal experience with them vs. the one I have - maybe I'll have a look-see this weekend at an 870 Express at the local range / gun shop and see what you're talking about.
As far as feeling bad about it, it's kinda hard to get too offended over a free gun! You get what you pay for usually, so it will have a hard time NOT living up to my expectations if you know what I mean - as long as the action remains smooth like it is now, and it loads / ejects shells and fires reliably, I cannot complain. When I become more experienced and have earned a stripe or two, I'm sure my tastes will move toward the higher end. They have in all of my other hobbies (cars, trucks, cameras, computers, A/V systems etc. - just ask my wife!!
). Then again, just because you have a TASTE for Kobe beef doesn't mean you get to EAT Kobe beef very often!
The Pardner Pump might indeed just end up holding down the floor in my closet as I get further into things. Who knows? I may just end up selling the thing for $100. Or $50.
Thanks again for your input. See you around.