This is the Shotgun for me, despite the iffy reputation they have for reliability. I'd like to find a pair of 18" Factory Rifle Sighted, Parkerized, Extended Tubed, IC'd 11-87P Bad Boys and someone who knows how to keep them running....Can anybody help me out with an 11-87 Mechanic? Thanks very much....Zebulon
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Remington 11-87 Police......
- Thread starter Zebulon
- Start date
I almost responded yesterday but deleted my post because I couldn't decide what to say.
I've owned three 11-87s over the years and two of them were incredibly reliable. One was a 26" premier that was so smooth that it might as well have had ball bearings in the action. I was really into duck hunting and didn't want that gun getting beat up in the duck boat. I traded it for an 11-87 SP that was a jam-o-matic. I quickly traded that one and ended up with an 11-87 SPS. It's not as smooth as the premier but every bit as reliable. I broke one of the gas rings (my fault) and had to replace them with the updated style. I've heard that people often have to replace the O-rings but I've never had a problem with them. I don't think that equates to an "iffy" reputation, I just think I got one lemon. Lots of guns in my safe may come and go but that one's on the 'keeper' list.
They are ubiquitous, and so close to the 1100 that any gunsmith should be able to make one work. Vang-Comp is well known for their shotgun work and they can sell you one ready-to-go or do the work on yours.
I've owned three 11-87s over the years and two of them were incredibly reliable. One was a 26" premier that was so smooth that it might as well have had ball bearings in the action. I was really into duck hunting and didn't want that gun getting beat up in the duck boat. I traded it for an 11-87 SP that was a jam-o-matic. I quickly traded that one and ended up with an 11-87 SPS. It's not as smooth as the premier but every bit as reliable. I broke one of the gas rings (my fault) and had to replace them with the updated style. I've heard that people often have to replace the O-rings but I've never had a problem with them. I don't think that equates to an "iffy" reputation, I just think I got one lemon. Lots of guns in my safe may come and go but that one's on the 'keeper' list.
They are ubiquitous, and so close to the 1100 that any gunsmith should be able to make one work. Vang-Comp is well known for their shotgun work and they can sell you one ready-to-go or do the work on yours.
I'm really glad you did respond, and I should have been more specific. The reliability concerns I've heard all had to do with the 11-87 Police, not the Sporting guns. I have no idea why there would be a difference, but I've scoured the Forums over the last several years and find little to recommend the 11-87P. My first Shotguns were a pair of Benelli M1 Super 90's...I bought them over the Remington because Massad Ayoob said they were cool. I sold them before I fired them and am still working myself through a long succession of 870P's that I love. I still want to find a pair of the 18" 11-87P's but I've been told they are hard to come by, not because they're so popular (Think Benelli M-4) but because they're NOT. Thanks for taking the time to encourage me...I've learned a little more through your effort and I appreciate it....Zeb
I'll jump in with a hunch. I think the reason you see posts about the 11-87P is likely due to use of low-recoil loads, possibly (haven't really tried to evaluate it) aggravated by short barrel lengths that affect port pressure to a greater extent than longer "sporting" barrels.
IIRC, there is even a Remington FAQ that says, in more or less these words, "we don't recommend low recoil loads in the 11-87P and the gun shoots so much more gently than a standing breach shotgun that you shouldn't need to use them." Some 11-87Ps run fine on low recoil, others seem to bobble.
Detractors notwithstanding, it is a very fine design and it's very well made. If you do not intend to use low recoil ammo, or if you're willing to test low recoil loads and live with the results, it is a very good choice.
IIRC, there is even a Remington FAQ that says, in more or less these words, "we don't recommend low recoil loads in the 11-87P and the gun shoots so much more gently than a standing breach shotgun that you shouldn't need to use them." Some 11-87Ps run fine on low recoil, others seem to bobble.
Detractors notwithstanding, it is a very fine design and it's very well made. If you do not intend to use low recoil ammo, or if you're willing to test low recoil loads and live with the results, it is a very good choice.
Thanks for the kind words. I've got a suggestion that you may or may not like.
I like JNewell's idea about the low-recoil loads being the problem. That would make sense based on what I've observed with slug barrels and HD barrels for both 1100s and 11-87s. They usually only have one gas port and don't have the pressure relief spring. That must be why they only work reliably with high brass loads.
Unless you're just hung up on having "Police Magnum" on the receiver (trust me, I know what that's like) you might be better off with a look-a-like and it would be cheaper.
Personally, I would get a regular 11-87 SPS and either cut the barrel down to 18.5" or try to find a HD barrel with two gas ports and the pressure-relief spring. I've shot everything from 7/8 oz. light reloads to 3" magnum buckshot through mine and it's never had a hiccup.
I like JNewell's idea about the low-recoil loads being the problem. That would make sense based on what I've observed with slug barrels and HD barrels for both 1100s and 11-87s. They usually only have one gas port and don't have the pressure relief spring. That must be why they only work reliably with high brass loads.
Unless you're just hung up on having "Police Magnum" on the receiver (trust me, I know what that's like) you might be better off with a look-a-like and it would be cheaper.
Personally, I would get a regular 11-87 SPS and either cut the barrel down to 18.5" or try to find a HD barrel with two gas ports and the pressure-relief spring. I've shot everything from 7/8 oz. light reloads to 3" magnum buckshot through mine and it's never had a hiccup.