1187 and low recoil loads

[Black Dime]

Hope this has not been asked recently.

How do you adjust/gunsmith the 1187 to cycle light loads?

 

[Shell Shucker]

Your 1187 should cycle 1 1/8 oz 3 dram 1200 fps loads...... and possibly 1 1/8 oz 2 3/4 dram 1145 fps loads as well as 1290 fps 1 oz loads. I think these are what Remington deems "light loads" as far as the 1187's ability to function with light loads. If it RELIABLY functions with anything lighter you are lucky! It is a 3" auto and not the most advanced of the breed. YMMV!

 

[evbutler462]

Blackdime, my 11-87 cycles 7/8 oz loads without a problem. Always has. I suspect that these guns have distinct personalities. Some will, some won't, according to some of the posts I have read.

I clean the gas ports after every day of shooting and wipe the residue on the magazine tube. Whether this is a factor, I can't say.

I've never used anything but promo loads in it. It is my dove gun. Just sit and shoot at them as they wave goodbye.

For walking and toteing, I use my Franchi 48. It is much lighter.

 

[Striker]

My experience with the 1187 platforms mirrors those of evbutler.

My wife shoots a premier grade as her primary trap gun with AA Lite or eqivilent reloads. My backup skeet gun is a field grade gun with the same loads. My wife has a light contour VR 28" barrel, while mine is a standard VR 26" barrel.

I do clean both religiously paying attention to the barrel gas ports and mag tubes. I also change the O-ring often.

You can purchase an 1187 target barrel without the gas compensation system (* These Model 11-87 12 ga. barrels are not equipped with a pressure compensation gas system. Target barrels are intended for use with target ammunition only 3-1/4 dr. powder, 1-1/4 oz. lead shot - max.) This could be a costly solution though.

Link: http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/original_factory_barrel_selector.asp

My advice is give it a good cleaning and try different 7/8 loads to see what if any work.

Hope this helps!

 

[Black Dime]

I have recently purchased two. One is a 26" VR Special Purpose and the other is a 28" VR Premier. The Premier will function most of the time with 2 3/4 dr. but not every time. The special purpose will not function at all. That is, the bolt will come back a little over halfway.
I am aware that they function well with Hv loads and probably will function well with the black, cheap Remington loads.
However, I am looking for the way to adjust/gunsmith the special purpose to handle the low velocity loads reliably. I have torn the special purpose ALL the way down so I know how it operates. My first inclination is to cut or switch out the spring in the stock. I am aware that I may have the gas ports opened ever so slightly.
Does any one have firsthand experience in this?

 

[ArmedBear]

The 11-87 was once made in a Skeet version.

I'm not sure what they changed, but if you replicate any tweaks, it'll cycle damn near anything.

That said, an 1100 or 11-87 shoots pretty soft with regular 2 3/4 to 3 Dram loads.

 

[Shell Shucker]

I don't know about the skeet version. A buddy of mine bought the sporting clays model (the one with the shortened forend). It had a 2.75" chamber. 1 1/4 oz 3 1/4 dram loads were listed as MAX. It had no gas regulation system. It worked fine with light loads.
It was a target gun with a 2.75" chamber set up for light loads only; much different than the standard 3" 11-87 with the gas regulation system.