11-87 Sporting Clays conversion to HD, am I insane?

[Opie]

First off, I have a really nice 11-87 sporting clays gun. This is a 2 3/4 only gun, with a 28" light contour barrel disigned for light loads. It differs from standard 11-87s in that the mag tube only holds 3 rounds, the forend is only cut for the light contour barrel and it is shorter as well.

Here is my problem. I dont shoot sporting clays, and I dont hunt. I bought it on a whim and dont need it. I am considering turning this into a defensive gun.

I would like to pull out the mag insert that holds the cap on, drill out the dimples and add a 3-4rd mag extender to bring the capacity up to 6-7 rounds in the tube. I am then considering cutting this very nice barrel down to 20" and leaving it cyl bore.

I am thinking this will be a great defensive gun because it is designed with target loads in mind, which may be ideal for the reduced recoil buckshot and slugs that I use in my 870 Police.

Will cutting this barrel down effect the gas action of this shotgun? I cant stand any guns that are not reliable and I dont want to do something that is going to make a nice shotgun a lemon.

Before anyone says add a 11-87 smoothbore short barrel, it wont work. I already talked to remington and the standard 11-87 barrels will not fit the sporting clays guns. Not only are the forends different, the mag tube is shorter on these and they wont lock up correctly.

What do you think? Am I nuts?

 

[bnbc]

Opie,
Sell it and buy the 18" 1187 7 shot Police gun or the new Remington 9 shot 1187 for 3 gun shooting sports.

 

[Opie]

BUY IT!

I have it in the for sale section for $375.

This is a super price on this gun.

 

[bnbc]

Opie,
Best to place on consignment at a local sporting clays club.
At that price should sell quick.

 

[Dave McCracken]

It can be done, but there's easier ways. Sell it, buy a better choice not requiring so much redoing.

T'were I going for a "Serious" semi, I'd look first at the 1100 Competition Master and the X2.

 

[bnbc]

Dave,
I'm seen the compentition 1100 but what is the X2?

 

[HSMITH]

$375 is a very low price for an 11-87 sporting clays.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The X-2 is the Winchester semi. It's similar to the Browning Gold.Both are good,reliable shotguns.

 

[Opie]

Thanks Guys

I traded it off for another 870 plus a few bucks. Now my 870P has a little brother to hang out with.

 

[tlhelmer]

The answer to the question is Yes! Opie is insane. I say that because I know him!

 

[Matthew Courtney]

The 11-87 is a great platform for a HD shotgun. I suggest bright or glow high vis sights. At 20 ", pressure levels should be sufficient. I have an 1100 that I cut to 18.5 inches and it shoots Wal-mart federal 100 pack for $15 loads all day. 1100 extractors are good for 8-10 thousand rounds. I change mine at 3-4 thousand. The 11-87 extractors look sturdier, but my 11-87 has only about 3000 ronds on it so I cannot say for sure. A new extractor is top to bottom symetrical. When you can easily and readily see wear on the bottom of the extractor where it grips the shell case, replace the extactor. Clean the gun every 500 rounds or every 4th of july. It'll serve you well.