11-87 Premiers

[dak0ta]

Hi,

I'm thinking of upgrading from pump to semi. I was looking at the current offerings of Beretta A400, Browning Maxus, and Benelli SBEII. While nice, I don't really need to spend $1300 on a semi.

Next was the Winchester SX3 at the $1k mark which has very favourable reviews.

But then I was wondering if the older 11-87 premiers would work just as good. The gas system is older and uses O-rings, but they're pretty handsome shotguns and are steel receivers.

For upland, clays, and waterfowl, would you still recommend a 11-87 Premier in 2014 or would it be a waste of time? They run around $600 in my area for very good condition.

Newer guns are lighter, more reliable with a variety of loads, but are they worth the bigger difference in price?

 

[oneounceload]

Newer guns are lighter, more reliable with a variety of loads, but are they worth the bigger difference in price?

Pretty much answers your question.

I own 2 A400s - both work my 3/4oz 12 gauge reloads with zero issues - one can handle 3.5" goose loads.

To ME, upland, clays and waterfowl would dictate different guns for each. I want a heavy gun for targets but a light one for schlepping all day in the uplands, and a waterfowl gun that handles those loads while being more rust resistant.

A Jack of all trades tends to be a Master of none. And yes, in a few minutes you'll have a plethora of posters who say they use gun for all three - so be it. I would rather be successful in all three ventures rather than just getting by, so that decision is something you need to make.

Any of the guns you listed will do Very good for certain uses and so-so for others, so if you really only want one gun, pick the gun based on what activity you will use it for the most, and get the best gun for that use that fits you

 

[SC Shooter]

Give some thought to a Browning A-5. They have a good history (Designed by John Browning) and are very versital The Belgian made ones have a great reputation and I will say that I have used mine in upland fields, in duck blinds, and at the trap range. If a gun makes me look good, I love it and this one does just that.

 

[dak0ta]

My uncle actually owns the Japanese Browning Auto 5 Magnum, and I think the full-choke was bored out to Modified by the local gunsmith.

I've read that the Magnum may not fire low brass loads as readily and the forearm can crack.

Either way, it's a sweet gun to shoot, and feeling the long-recoil action is nice.

 

[jmr40]

In that price range it would be hard to beat. Not perfect, and not my favorite gun, but a good one for the money. I no longer have one because I've found others I like better. But other than being heavier than I wanted for my needs the 11-87's I owned were quite reliable. If you can find one with the "Light Contour" barrel they are about 1/2 lb lighter and more to my liking.

The only feature I truly didn't like was having to depress the bolt release on the loading gate to load into the magazine. With practice it gets easier, but always slowed down reloading, especially with 3" shells.

I owned 2 different 11-87's and a Beretta AL 390 at the same time. Several years ago ran across a too good to pass up deal on a used Benelli M-1. Fell in love with it and sold all 3 of the others. Used some of the proceeds to purchase a 2nd Benelli with a different barrel length. Since buying used I don't have $1,300 in both of them.

I have no desire to shoot 3.5" shells, so if money were no object I'd buy the new M-2 in a heartbeat if I had to have another gun. I suspect the older M-1's to last me the rest of my shooting days.

FYI, I'm primarily a hunter. I shoot a round of clays occasionally to keep in practice, but it is not my primary use of a shotgun. That influences my decision, may not be the best for you.

 

[Virginian]

If you can find a nice 11-87 Premier you will find they are a cut above the current Sportsman offerings. Before they dropped the Premier they were a well finished and handsome gun. I've had two and nary a problem. Remington has aimed the 11-87s of late at the hunter crowd with dull finish and lower price. The 1100 gets the spit and polish and the target market.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

There are cosmetic differences only in the different models of 11-87's. They are fine sporting guns and if you can wait for two months there will be a $50 rebate starting August 1st. I base that on that has been the start date for fall rebates for quite a few years and the 11-87 comes with a $50 mail in rebate from Remington under that rebate plan.

 

[dak0ta]

I can't trust buying a new Remington, and the pride of ownership of the older Premier model is what I'm after as well.

 

[dak0ta]

I just came across the Franchi Affinity. I like the Inertia Driven action, the price tag, and that it's quite similar to a Benelli M2.

Any experience?

 

[Virginian]

If you like inertia actions (I don't), I think the Affinity is the best deal going. Interior finish very good, and it gets very good reviews for a whole lot less than Benelli wants for an equivalent gun. I have shot two and they handled quite well. Any issues I have heard of have been dealt with effectively by Franchi. A big plus for me is it looks like a shotgun without the swoopy plastic touch or two tone receiver. A Montefeltro is the only Benelli I care for the looks of at all.

 

[dak0ta]

And for good measure I want to throw in the Beretta A300 outlander. Proven gas system, but slightly updated. Not a genuine Beretta, made in the America.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

Same 11-87 except as I said. They have not change anything. Check the parts list and you find they are all built with the same parts as there are no Primer parts, Sportsman parts or any of that. An 11-87 is an 11-87.

 

[Jhoss]

I have an 1187 Premier Light Contour

It is a very pretty gun (hi-gloss) and my grouse gun. I have other shotguns but that Remmy I guess would be my "showpiece". And shooting clays and hunting, nary a yip, that is - I cannot remember a failure to fire, failure to feed, or failure to eject. Perfect. (and Pretty.)