Opening gas ports on an 11-87

[koldt]

I've had a bit of failure to eject light loads in my 12ga 11-87. 20" barrel. Basically a 3 gun build.

I would like for it to function everything and I've heard of fellas opening the gas ports a bit. Has anyone here done it, and if so, any problems? Did it cause excessive pressure/recoil, etc with heavier or slug loads?

I was thinking of starting the drilling a very little bit of one port to start, then more until 100% function with light loads ie. 7.5...

Any suggestions from anyone who has done it? I know the suggestion may be to sell and buy a 1201 or comparable, but I like the Remington.

 

[870P]

What oil are you using?

Sometimes switching to a good thin grease will slick up an action just enough to make a difference.

 

[Dsiwy]

Try use two rudder o-rings instead of one, i was told this on the Remington 1100 factory armorers course.

 

[Grouse Man]

Clean out the ports. Remove and clean the bolt return spring in the stock. Ensure you have a good O-ring.

Do that before drilling anything. No reason it shouldn't cycle target loads.

But you mention 'light' loads. What exactly do you mean?

 

[madtrapper143]

Drilling usually does not help the situation in that it increases wear on the gun. In the event a future user unaware of the modification uses heavy loads damage occurs quickly. If you do it only open 1 port and look up the port sizes and use proper numbered drills to the next size. As stated drilling is a last resort and still not recommended.

Darryl

 

[koldt]

Drilling usually does not help the situation in that it increases wear on the gun. In the event a future user unaware of the modification uses heavy loads damage occurs quickly. If you do it only open 1 port and look up the port sizes and use proper numbered drills to the next size. As stated drilling is a last resort and still not recommended.

Darryl

I realize it as the last resort, as it still has a hard time ejecting/functioning with 7.5 birdshot loads. Yup, with 00, #4, slugs, etc, it cycles fine, but I want it to run with everything. That's why I was thinking small increments of opening of one port, followed by testing. I made sure it was clean, O rings were good, etc, so I was hoping to hear from someone who may have fixed the issue.

For me: wear on the gun is secondary to making sure it functions. I certainly don't want to beat something up to the point of useless, but I bought the gun to shoot and every match, reliability is paramount. I guess the Versa series of guns works well, and I'd be interested in how Remington did it.

 

[Jaaska]

Never done it on a shotgun but a gunsmith opened a port on a Remington 30-06 semi and that solved the problem . He told me to try it and if there was still a problem bring it back and he'd open it a little more as he opened it the smallest amount he could the first time . I bought the gun used but mint and found out right away why the guy sold it . Bam , bam , fte , bam , fte , bam , bam , bam , fte with many kinds of ammo . Perfect after opening the port .

 

[koldt]

Never done it on a shotgun but a gunsmith opened a port on a Remington 30-06 semi and that solved the problem . He told me to try it and if there was still a problem bring it back and he'd open it a little more as he opened it the smallest amount he could the first time . I bought the gun used but mint and found out right away why the guy sold it . Bam , bam , fte , bam , fte , bam , bam , bam , fte with many kinds of ammo . Perfect after opening the port .

Thanks for the input.