Remmington 11-87

[figplucker]

I am looking a buying a different shotgun for my son. He currently shoots a Winchester 12 gauge pump (model 1200?). He hunts deer, waterfowl, and pheasants. I found a used Remmington 11-87 12 gauge, 26" barrel, synthetic stock. Are these good, dependable guns or are they the single shot semi-auto model? I think i can buy it for around $300. Any advice or experience with this gun would be apprecated. Thanks.

[Mark Christianson]

Thats exactly what I have.

I got it in about 95.

Been very happy with it overall. My first problem was this year where the shell extractor broke.

But I have put tons of shells through that gun with trap league and hunting.

If its in nice shape $300 would be something I would pay to have one for my son.

[crappace]

My dad has one and i shoot it way, way more than him. I love it. Its a bit heavy but for some reason I am much better with it than with my own Winchester. He also has the non rifled slug barrel for it we shoot deer and grouse with. Great gun.

[CodyDawg]

My 11-87 was of the single-shot auto variety. It did not function well at all. I sold it to my cousin (who knew the history of it) and he had even more problems. I bet you can buy that one for under $300. On the other hand, I would highly recommend a Beretta 390. I am over 10,000 rounds without a jam or any maintenance. My dad is around 6,000. You should be able to pick one up for around $450-$550.

[bigdog]

I shot 1100's and 11-87's for years with few troubles. The 11-87 is a very dependable gun. A Beretta 391 is also very nice but a bit more money. You will be happy with the 11-87 and the price is fair.

[riverrat56]

Never shot one, but know guys who do, heavy guns, but pretty much dependable, unless you don't take any care of it, autos need to be cleaned more than pumps, because they have many more delicate parts. I would say that is a good deal for it, I paid aroud 360 for my 1100 20 ga, but that gun was basically NIB in condition. I would go for it, just a question though, why the need for a new gun?

[Nova]

I personally have never owned one, but have hunted with many that did. Some were flawless and others couldn't go through a half a box of shells without jamming. I have 3 remingtons, but all pumps and I love them and they are durable, but I personally will never take the chance with a gun that has a on again off again reputation. If it was just one out 100 that did it maybe, but I know of too many jamming issues with this gun.

[IceHawk]

I use one extenseively for waterfowl and love it!! It's been very reliable. I wouldn't hesitate buying one again. The key with any aoutomatic is to keep it clean,clean,clean.

[FUZZER]

I have an 11-87 in the light contour version. It really cuts down on the weight of the gun. I've had the gun for 6 years and have never been let down. As stated in the earlier post--keep it clean and the gun should never jam up unless you run into a shell problem.

[Maverick]

I have an 1100 and love it. I also have a 391 Beretta and enjoy that one as well. As stated in the above posts just keep it clean, any gun will jam if it is caked with powder residue. The one thing I would recomend is pick up a couple of extra O rings for it at your local gun store. They will go bad eventually with the way the piston smashes against it when it cycles. It's not a big deal and they are cheap to buy. The price seems fair if it is in good shape, I would buy it they are good guns.

[Nova]

Not entirely true. My Dad's benelli M1 was shot for 4 years with an occasional wiping down of the outside to prevent rust. He did nothing else, including never even taking it apart. He hunts waterfowl 55 plus days a year and never, not even once, did it jam. Sounds crazy, but it's true. I do not advocate this type of gun care by any means, but it just proves that not all autos need the constant attention.

[BLACKJACK]

For years I shot my 12 gauge 870, shot a pile of ducks, deer, and pheasants with it, then several years ago I bought a used 11-87 because I wanted a 3 inch chamber gun. Used it a few times on ducks and geese but never very much. Then had a few problems with my 870 ejecting, switched over to the 11-87 full time and I liked it! Never a problem with short stroking, it had good balance, I shot quite a few pheasants with it in SoDak. It will be my opening day gun next year - if its not raining. One downside to the automatic is that its tougher loading and unloading when you move from spot to spot pheasant hunting, that might make it tougher on a youth hunter. I say go for it. As others have said, keep it clean. I used to go a whole season with out cleaning my 870, now every couple times out I take the 11-87 forearm off and wipe it down with solvent and a little oil. If you're the type of guy that doesn't like to maintain your guns, better go with a pump.

[CodyDawg]

11-87 you have to keep clean, keep an extra O-ring on stock and hope you get a good one. But they are cheaper. A Beretta 390 or 391 you just use. I give mine a good cleaning twice a year....once prior to deer hunting and once in January. Sometimes I splurge and clean it in Sept as well. Otherwise, I keep the outside oiled so there is not a rust issue and use it. Good luck with your purchase...can you ask to shoot a half box of shells through it first? It it blows through them with no problem, go for it.