Remington 11-87 vs Mossberg SA20

gdcpony · Jan 16, 2018

These are the two in my sights. I am going to buy one of them in the next month. Just trying to get input as to which one. I know we all have our favorites, but I need input as to reasons behind such. Not simply it is what I have used always or the other sucks.

This will be an all purpose shotgun. everything from trying to blast flying clays to killing deer. I hunt predators and squirrel as well. I might even try a 3 gun shoot or two. And who knows, I have never hunted a bird in my life and have people who want em to try it too.Both fit my budget as well.

I will be loading for 20ga as I have four in my house for my kids (2x Moss 500, 1 H&R Ultraslugger, and a Charles Daly semiauto I picked up from a pawn shop for my son). The wifey wants a 20 ga as well, but in a pump and is picking up a Stevens because she likes the "muddy girl" one from wally world. Not my choice there.

I have heard the loading sequence of the SA20 sucks. However, I have heard this has changed since they were introduced. Also there is no slug barrel option for this shotgun. Anyone found any different? The gun is light and is renowned for not kicking (call me a wuss, but this is a big factor for me).

For the 1187, I have heard about failure to cycle and O ring replacements, and being heavier both in recoil and weight. But I can pick up a slug barrel (or a field barrel if I get the slug gun) for it and throw my usual scope on it (KonusPro 7249's are on 6 guns now in my house).

I have yet to shoot either of these. I have shot the CD I got my son and loved everything but the short stock it had. I prefer a 24-26" barrel for field due to the thick crap I hunt in.

Hopefully, this gives you an idea fo what I am looking for and you guys can advise me. I might own a few, but I am still a shotgun newbie.

PapaG · Jan 16, 2018

Have no experience with the Mossberg. Is it a new model? I have lots of 11-87 trigger time at the skeet field, on the trap range and in the deer blind. Shot a pile of doves too.
I probably put several thousand rounds through mine, mostly clay target loads, and never had a failure of any kind and replaced nothing. Ashamed to say it got little in the way of cleaning, just a wipe down before going in the safe. Its new owner is happy after five years with it and it is going strong.
Few Mossberg autos can say that.
My vote is Remington.

kudu · Jan 16, 2018

I have no experience with an 11-87 in 20 gauge, but have guessing 20,000 rounds through my 12 gauge 11-87. For a short period of time Remington had a few guns with some quality control slip through in the mid 90's that gave the 11-87 a bad reputation for a while. I have changed the O-ring once about 2000 rounds ago when it finally went bad and cracked, but I always try to keep an extra on hand as I have 3 1100's also . Mostly I have shot light skeet/trap rounds with a few 3" magnum steel shot back 20 years ago when I hunted a few ducks. Have killed about 10 deer with it back years ago also with a rifled cantilever barrel. I know mine functions with heavy 3" mag shells as well as superlight 7/8oz reloads. It gets cleaned about every 500 to 800 rounds or so and really has had only a couple of shells that have not ejected because of my own fault with a light powder charge on the reloading bench. Had a few of the Winchester cheap promo shells not want to function in it but they wouldn't work well in a few other guns as well.

Not had any experience or even seen a Mossberg SA20 on any ranges.

cdb1 · Jan 16, 2018

PapaG said:
Its new owner is happy after five years with it and it is going strong.
Few Mossberg autos can say that.

Dead wrong. There are many many 930 and SA-20 owners very happy with their shotguns.

To the OP, I’d get the shotgun that feels(fits) best when you shoulder it. If both felt the same I’d get the Mossberg but there is nothing wrong with an 11-87. The loading procedure issue is long gone with the SA-20. Recoil is light with the 11-87, I don’t think 11-87 recoil is heavier than the SA-20, it’s probably a little less since it’s heavier. I’ve never seen O-rings as an issue, carry a spare and you’re good to go. I’m primarily a hunter which is why I’d choose an SA-20 if both shotguns fit the same. If I were primarily a clays shooter I’d get an 11-87 due to the added weight, of course if fit was equal. Weight in a shotgun isn’t necessarily a bad thing and sometimes is a good thing.

JeffG · Jan 16, 2018

I've had one 11-87. I added small accessories to make it a defensive/LEO shotgun. I put that gun through the ringer with slugs and heavy buckshot during training sessions year after year. The gun performed admirably with little maintenance other than cleaning. Great gun.

Striker · Jan 16, 2018

No experience with the SA-20

I have four 12ga 11-87s, two dedicated for trap, one dedicated for skeet, and a travel gun with adjustable butt plate to shot both.

The trap guns have a bit more then 30k thru them over the last 18 yrs. The skeet gun has 50k + and the travel gun 8 k or so. I've never had any issues with any of them. I clean them after every session and change rings every 5k or so. Soft shooting and reliable. If you can, I recommend you shoot one before you buy.

gdcpony · Jan 16, 2018

Striker said:
No experience with the SA-20

I have four 12ga 11-87s, two dedicated for trap, one dedicated for skeet, and a travel gun with adjustable butt plate to shot both.

The trap guns have a bit more then 30k thru them over the last 18 yrs. The skeet gun has 50k + and the travel gun 8 k or so. I've never had any issues with any of them. I clean them after every session and change rings every 5k or so. Soft shooting and reliable. If you can I recommend you shoot one before you buy.

I wish I has that option. no one seems to have them around here.

cdb1 said:
Dead wrong. There are many many 930 and SA-20 owners very happy with their shotguns.

To the OP, I’d get the shotgun that feels(fits) best when you shoulder it. If both felt the same I’d get the Mossberg but there is nothing wrong with an 11-87. The loading procedure issue is long gone with the SA-20. Recoil is light with the 11-87, I don’t think 11-87 recoil is heavier than the SA-20, it’s probably a little less since it’s heavier. I’ve never seen O-rings as an issue, carry a spare and you’re good to go. I’m primarily a hunter which is why I’d choose an SA-20 if both shotguns fit the same. If I were primarily a clays shooter I’d get an 11-87 due to the added weight, of course if fit was equal. Weight in a shotgun isn’t necessarily a bad thing and sometimes is a good thing.

I shouldered a SA20 and it felt good, but can't seem to track down an 11-87 in the area for some reason. Does Remington not sell many of them?

red rick · Jan 16, 2018

I have a Weatherby SA-08 20ga. I think it is similar to the Mossberg SA20 . Mine is 2 years old now and it does load and unload different than any of my other shotguns . When it is empty the bolt will not open unless you take the safety off and when you unload it , it has a shell lifter latch on it and you have to pull that latch every time to release a shell from the magazine tube and work the bolt twice to eject a shell . I like that feature because you can eject a shell that is in the chamber while going over a fence and not have to empty all of the shells , kind of like the old Browning A5 . I don't like having to take the safety off to load the first shell though . Also the LOP is 14.5 " on mine while they list it at 14 " and that is to long for me . I will have to get the stock cut down on it to fit me . I did get the deluxe model with the wood stock . It is a light shotgun , I like that for rabbit hunting and it doesn't have a hard recoil and it has been 100 percent reliable , without a break-in . It has two gas pistons that you can change for light loads and heavy loads and it came with 3 choke tubes . It disassembles easy for cleaning .

My nephew just bought a 11-87 youth model 20ga. last week and he really likes it . We went hunting Saturday and he shot his first rabbit with it . It only comes with one choke tube and that is not really a big deal for me because I usually buy the extended choke tubes for my shotguns anyway . He said it came with LOP spacers and shims . His has been 100 percent also right out of the box .

jmr40 · Jan 16, 2018

Dead wrong. There are many many 930 and SA-20 owners very happy with their shotguns.

I'm sure there are. But there are way, way too many who are unhappy. Mossberg builds a decent pump shotgun, I have one myself. But I've also tried a couple of their autos, as have several friends. The fact is that historically most work, at least with some ammo, many don't. Too many. You may buy one and find it works for you and your're happy with it, but the odds are against you.

The 11-87 isn't my favorite shotgun, but they do have a reputation for working.

can't seem to track down an 11-87 in the area for some reason. Does Remington not sell many of them?

The 11-87 is now older technology. Remington is pushing newer designs now. They still list the 1100 and 11-87 on their website but are pushing the newer Versa Max series. They turn up quite a bit used.

perrytrails · Jan 16, 2018

Goto shotgunworld forum.
Under the section shotgun opinions.

There is thread a mile long on the SA20. All the info you need, getting very high praise.

The just released the SA28 at shot show.

I’ll bet more than a few of you would like to have a semi auto 28ga with nice wood and around $500

See for yourself …

ccoyle · Jan 16, 2018

I haven't owned or shot either of these, but like the OP I am also shopping around for a new 20 gauge, mostly for dove hunting. The Mossberg SA-20 is made by Armsan and has received many positive reviews. Out of curiosity I checked out Armsan's website; I recognized their shotguns as the same ones being sold wearing the TriStar Viper G2 label (don't think less of me if you already knew that -- I haven't shopped for a shotgun in 35 years!). Not surprisingly, then, the Viper also gets pretty good reviews and sells for about the same price as the SA-20. Not making a recommendation here regarding any of the guns under discussion, just adding some more info to consider.

cdb1 · Jan 16, 2018

jmr40 said:
I'm sure there are. But there are way, way too many who are unhappy. Mossberg builds a decent pump shotgun, I have one myself. But I've also tried a couple of their autos, as have several friends. The fact is that historically most work, at least with some ammo, many don't. Too many. You may buy one and find it works for you and your're happy with it, but the odds are against you.

The 11-87 isn't my favorite shotgun, but they do have a reputation for working.

The 11-87 is now older technology. Remington is pushing newer designs now. They still list the 1100 and 11-87 on their website but are pushing the newer Versa Max series. They turn up quite a bit used.

We will have to agree to disagree. With older Mossbergs I agree but I think they got it right with the 930. In fact it may be just my perception but I see a number of 1187’s with cycling issues when using light loads.

gdcpony · Jan 16, 2018

I am still trying to get my hands on a Remington. I am cautious with it as I just had a Marlin 1895gbl go back under warranty. I had it for all of a week and 14 rounds.

cdb1 · Jan 16, 2018

red rick said:
I have a Weatherby SA-08 20ga. I think it is similar to the Mossberg SA20 . Mine is 2 years old now and it does load and unload different than any of my other shotguns . When it is empty the bolt will not open unless you take the safety off and when you unload it , it has a shell lifter latch on it and you have to pull that latch every time to release a shell from the magazine tube and work the bolt twice to eject a shell . I like that feature because you can eject a shell that is in the chamber while going over a fence and not have to empty all of the shells , kind of like the old Browning A5 . I don't like having to take the safety off to load the first shell though . Also the LOP is 14.5 " on mine while they list it at 14 " and that is to long for me . I will have to get the stock cut down on it to fit me . I did get the deluxe model with the wood stock . It is a light shotgun , I like that for rabbit hunting and it doesn't have a hard recoil and it has been 100 percent reliable , without a break-in . It has two gas pistons that you can change for light loads and heavy loads and it came with 3 choke tubes . It disassembles easy for cleaning .

My nephew just bought a 11-87 youth model 20ga. last week and he really likes it . We went hunting Saturday and he shot his first rabbit with it . It only comes with one choke tube and that is not really a big deal for me because I usually buy the extended choke tubes for my shotguns anyway . He said it came with LOP spacers and shims . His has been 100 percent also right out of the box .

I have two SA-08’s, a SA-459 and my daughter has a SA-08. We’ve been pleased with them. Though the SA-08 and SA-20 outwardly are very similar they are fairly different internally and are made by different companies. Turkish semi’s seem to all look like Berettas on the outside.

The biggest difference I see between the SA-08 and SA-20 are price. There are always trade offs though. Weatherby customer service IMO is outstanding while Mossberg is about the same as Remington and Savage. Sometimes it’s outstanding and sometimes it sucks.

Virginian · Jan 17, 2018

The guns one sees with cycling issues are usually 99.9 % the owners fault. An 1100/11-87 may not run as clean as some newer designs, and they are heavier than the aluminum receivered guns, and they will not run everything from 7/8 ounce 2-3/4" loads through 3-1/2" Magnums in 12 gauge, but properly maintained they are dead reliable.
I am not aware of any big issues with the SA-20 either.
The biggest enemy of any semi-auto is the nut on the rear of the stock.

cdb1 · Jan 17, 2018

Virginian said:
The guns one sees with cycling issues are usually 99.9 % the owners fault. An 1100/11-87 may not run as clean as some newer designs, and they are heavier than the aluminum receivered guns, and they will not run everything from 7/8 ounce 2-3/4" loads through 3-1/2" Magnums in 12 gauge, but properly maintained they are dead reliable.
I am not aware of any big issues with the SA-20 either.
The biggest enemy of any semi-auto is the nut on the rear of the stock.

I would have to agree with those sentiments.

gdcpony · Jan 17, 2018

Virginian said:
The guns one sees with cycling issues are usually 99.9 % the owners fault. An 1100/11-87 may not run as clean as some newer designs, and they are heavier than the aluminum receivered guns, and they will not run everything from 7/8 ounce 2-3/4" loads through 3-1/2" Magnums in 12 gauge, but properly maintained they are dead reliable.
I am not aware of any big issues with the SA-20 either.
The biggest enemy of any semi-auto is the nut on the rear of the stock.

From my experience getting others' rifles to run, I have to agree. I no crap had a conversation like this:
"Why doesn't it work?"
"When did you last clean it?"
"It shouldn't need cleaning if it was designed right!"
"How much have you shot it?"
"Only about (insert obsurd amount of rounds)"
"Didn't your car blow it's engine last week?"
"Yeah, they said I didn't have oil in it"
"Hmm..."

Remington 11-87 vs Mossberg SA20

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