The Mossberg Maverick 88 is the budget model assembled in Texas with some import parts. It has a cross-bolt safety at the trigger guard. Buttstocks interchange with the M500/590 Mossberg shotguns, as will a few other parts. They are decent guns, and you get 99% of a M500 at 75% of the price.
The 870 is the generic small-block-chevy of shotguns. Everybody has one. They are good enough.
The Mossberg M500 and M590 are the small-block-Ford of shotguns. Lots of them out there, not as much cheap hop-up stuff. The M500 (Unlike the Maverick 88) has a tang safety on the receiver back. I don't like tang safeties. It's a personal thing. Try it, see if you like it.
Don't forget the Winchester 1200/1300 type shotguns, they are also good solid performers. Cross bolt safety, and the Speedpump is one of the fastest actions to work out there.
Then you get into all the rest.