Remington 11-87 or 1100 for Home Defence ??

[pastprime]

I posted a question here a while ago and received some very good information:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=647632

After reading and re-reading the responses to that post, I've narrowed my choice to either a Remington 11-87 or 1100 in 20 ga. A large part of my decision was based on the lack of reports of either being unreliable, price, and the availibily of replacement parts quickly if they are needed. I will get one that is used because of my money situation, but hopefully there will not be any issues with it functioning...

Is there any appreciable difference between the two in maintenance required, quality issues, ease of use, or anything else that would make me chose one over the other ???

 

[Virginian]

Only difference is the 11-87 takes 2-3/4" and 3", and an 1100 will be either or. I have an 1100 3" 20 and it has never worked well with anything but quite stout 2-3/4" loads. With the right loads, I have found them to be quite reliable for 49 years. That's not to say they are "load sensitive". The 2-3/4" model 1100s cycle fine with all 2-3/4", but the 3" 1100s could be picky with light ammo, exactly as advertised. That's why they came out with the 11-87.

 

[jeepnik]

Either will do just fine. If either is a 2 3/4" chamber, as opposed to a 3", I wouldn't worry about it. Either shell length will suffice for your purpose. Neither is any harder or easier to maintain, once you learn what each needs in terms or assembly/disassembly. The best thing to do is try both if possible and see what "feels" best to you.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Either should do just fine, when in good mechanical condition and fed ammo that will keep them running reliably. I've heard from several smaller framed shooters who have been happy with the current 11-87 Youth Model in 20 gauge (adjustable LOP stock, 21" VR barrel) as a 'house gun' and all around sporting gun as well. I don't see anything comparable in the current new-in-box offerings from Remington for the 1100. The gas guns do help with recoil.

http://www.remington.com/product-families/firearms/compacts/compact-shotguns.aspx

http://www.remington.com/products/f.../model-11-87-sportsman-compact-synthetic.aspx