11-87 vs 1100

My 11-87 is a little fussy; at least with 2 3/4" loads (which is all I've tried to date). It won't cycle the cheap stuff from Walmart (jams every 2nd or 3rd round), but feeds Federals and the few reloads I've tried w/o a problem.
FYI, mine has a 3 1/2" chamber, not sure if that changes the performance vs a 3" or not.
 
I think the only change was the mag tube on the 11-87 is stainless...maybe. I don't own one, I just overheard guys talking at the club about it. Any 1100 or 1187 that is acting up should get a good cleaning and a new O ring as a first step in troubleshooting.
 
For the most parts 1100's only came with 23/4" chambers all 1187's have 3" or now 3 1/2" chambers.
I've been told that by simply switching the barrels you can get Magnum receiver 1100's to shoot 3" shells, I lack a 1100 to try it with.
1187's when they first switched over to 3 1/2" there receivers and gas systems were not altered and this lead to problems with reliability. I've heard rumors that this has been fixed but don't know for sure.
As far as diferences between the original 1100 and 1187 I'm not sure, aside from all 1187 are 3" and some 1100 aren't and the 1100 doesn't come in the parkerized SP version; the best of both worlds, a tough finish on the metal and nice looking satin finished wood stock.
Both of them like any semi can be fickle about what you feed them.
Given your dilema I'd keep both and deny there being 2, to the untrained eye it would be hard to tell the difference.:cool:
 
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I have, and regularly shoot, both a 1100 and a 11-87. Some major differences are: 11-87 has stainless mag tube, gas compensating system that allows function with target loads up to 3" mags without any mods, beefed up extractor and screw in choke tubes. Some people find the 11-87 feels and swings a little different from the 1100. I enjoy both but if I had to chose one , it would be the 11-87. Screw in chokes and 3" mag make this a better all around gun.IMHO
 
1100

Ihave a 37 year old 1100 and have shot a gazillion trap rounds through it and with regular cleaning and o ring changes it still performs awesome
 
As Janesy stated in the third reply post. The difference between the two is that the 1187 is a gas compensating system which will allow you to fire from light 2 3/4" loads right up to the heavy 2 3/4" and 3" shells. With the 1100, if it's a non magnum receiver with a 2 3/4" chambered barrel, you can fire light loads. Heavier 2 3/4" loads will funtion without a problem, though, I personally wouldn't do that, or I would fire heavy 2 3/4" shell infrequently, because I think it causes excessive wear.

If you have a magnum receiver with a 3" barrel it should fire heavy 2 3/4" and will definatley fire 3'' loads.

Remington tried to go one step further and use the compensating system for their 3 1/2" super mags; though I haven't heard too many good things about that endeavor.
 
I've heard of the O ring before.....

What is that about?

They have a rubber O ring on the mag tube. It wears out over time and with use. When it gets dozy, I think the gas needed to cycle the action with lighter loads leaks off and she becomes a "single shot".
 
With a new steel barrel, my 70's vintage magnum 1100 cycles 2 3/4" trap up to 3" heavy field loads without a single hiccup! What more could you ask for from a 35 year old shotgun.

That's the key. My original barrel (fixed full choke) marked 3" Magnum wouldn't reliably cycle the 2 3/4" shells. I bought a new barrel (RemChoke) and it will now cycle everything I feed it. Light target to 3" steel.

Great gun. Very soft on the shoulder!
 
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