Opinions on an 11-87 "Sporting Clays" model?

[tex_n_cal]

I stumbled across one of these, in nice shape. It has really nice wood, upgraded checkering, and light barrel with admonishments about light loads only. The price will be $600.

Assuming I switch to a barrel that is suitable for heavier loads, is this a good buy? What are the general experiences with 11-87's, as to reliability? I would use it for clays, maybe dove or pheasant as well.

 

[PJR]

These were very popular sporting clays guns a few years ago. I owned one and it too had delightful wood. It was a good gun and one of the very few that I have regretted selling. It was a light, nimble semi auto that shot very well.

The gas regulation system on a Remington is on the barrels. Therefore you can put a barrel more suited for a heavier load on an 11-87SC. However, the forearm gap isn't wide enough and won't fit onto anything other than Light Contour barrels. Your options would be to find a Light Contour barrel that would accept heavier loads, widen the forearm gap or attempt to purchase another forearm which you could then modify. The only problem with the later option is that the 11-87SC forearm is shorter than the standard 11-87 and they may be hard to find.

I considered buying a slug barrel for my 11-87SC, putting on an extended mag and using it as a plate gun. However I did not want to alter the forearm and eventually gave up on the idea.

I kept my gun in stock form. The warning against heavier loads limited the gun to 1-1/4 ounce, 3-1/4 dram loads which I found more than adequate for hunting pheasant.

Paul

 

[HSMITH]

I had one and it was a nice shotgun. It was an 11-87 that worked well. Mine had beautiful wood and the nickled roll engraved reciever. It will handle loads heavy enough to do anything you need done on upland birds and clay targets just as it is. They move well, pattern well and work nicely.

$600 for a used one is a LOT. If that is plus taxes and fees it is too much unless the gun is new in the box and absolutely perfect. If you are out the door for $600 total and it is 98% or better it is a fair price.

 

[ysr_racer]

I have one and like it. It's the softest shooting auto out there. I shoot WalMart Value Packs* thru it and it works fine.


*12 ga, 2 3/4 inch, 3 dram, 1 1/8 oz # 7.5.

 

[tex_n_cal]

As to the price - yes I am in the PRK, which is why it costs so darn much

 

[MrFreeze]

I shot my father in law's 1100 and really enjoyed it. I'm leaning toward the 1187 right now, though.

Wal-Mart here in FL has the Rem 1100 for $599 new. It is very similar to the 1187...see here:

link

Their FAQ section will also tell you what barrels are interchangeable between the 870, 1100, and 1187.

Good luck!

Travis

 

[BrownBear]

I have a 11-87 SC and it's a great gun. But I think $600 is high for a used model. I would look into a new 1100 instead.

 

[PJR]

I would look into a new 1100 instead.

Not me. I'd rather have a used 11/87SC. The idiotic locking safety has turned me off all current Remington products and Remington quality control seems to be in a perpetual tailspin. A shooter at our club has a recent edition 1100 Sporting and is fighting rust on a constant basis and the fit and finish is nowhere near the earlier products.

Paul

 

[BrownBear]

PJR,
The rust problem has always been an issue with Remington shotguns. I got quite of a few of them with rust too. Must be the cheap blueing.......