Remington 1187 20ga - FTE out of the box

[nickstick1]

Last week I purchased a brand new 1187 20ga black synthetic sportsman model. I also purchased the remington brand gel recoil pad to go on it (fit is not very great btw). I just shot the gun on Sunday for skeet.

Almost every 3-5 rounds it would have FTE. I'm using federal 2 3/4" 2.5dram 7/8oz target loads (I know they are pretty cheap, but they work great in my benelli m1 and winchester 1300 pumps)

When I first got it, I put a couple drops of oil in all the vital spots including the piston seals and mag tube (not much just a drop or two) This is the same treatment I always gave my 12ga 1187 premier grade about 10 years ago when I had it and it never malfunctioned through thousands of rounds of 1oz factory loads, and even my 7/8oz reloads.

After the failures I cleaned it and removed all the oil from the piston seals and mag tube (I can't find in the owners manual the "official" position of oil in this particular spot on the gun. I've read on line some say oil it, some say to run it dry)

I took it out again and had the same failure rate with the target loads. It seemed to cycle fine with some high brass hunting loads, but I can't spend big bucks to break clays every week.

I bought this gun because it's gas operated and will shoot pretty easy because I have a shoulder problem, so besides the cost the heavy loads would defeat the purpose.

My father-in-law suggested it needs "broken in" however I've never had this happen with any other gun I've owned before, except a mossberg 835 that wouldn't pull shells from the barrel (I have no idea how it worked out as I sold it 2 days later) My opinion is that the fit of the parts inside the gun is that they are pretty sloppy and can't imagine how they could be "broken in" any more than they are.

Please help!!!

 

[BP44]

"except a mossberg 835 that wouldn't pull shells from the barrel (I have no idea how it worked out as I sold it 2 days later)"

Did you inform the buyer? Im thinking Karma

OK all kidding aside, I would agree with your father in law, even if the parts seem loose enough it still has not been shot in. The springs will still be stiff/new and the components need to take a seat to function properly. I would suggest buy a box or two of heavy loads and pawn the gun off on someone else and let them break it in for ya if your sholder isnt up to it.

Slam a few duck loads thru if "not thru a full choke" they seem pretty stout

 

[Fleet]

As it's brand new, send it back to Remington and tell them to fix it.

 

[rcmodel]

Here is the owners manual.
See page 18.

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model-11-87/model-11-87-sportsman-field.aspx

It appears the 20 ga uses a different seal assembly sequence then the 12 ga you are used too.
Maybe assembled wrong or missing something.

rc

 

[rogerstg]

Also, make sure the gas holes are clear. See page 16 of the manual that rcmodel linked