The Rem. 11-87

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F. Vaccaro

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What are the shotgunners thoughts about the Rem. 11-87? I think it's a pretty popular shotgun.
Thanks.
 
I bought mine in 1996, a walnut stocked Special Purpose, it has been a good shotgun and I have killed a fair number of geese and a few turkeys with it. It has been dependable with all but the lightest loads when kept clean.
 
Not a bad shotgun for the technology available in 1987, but they weren't perfect either.

I know they have issues with light target loads cycling and high volume shooting requires frequent cleaning to keep them running properly. There's a list somewhere of other problems like a worn or missing o-ring causing feeding failurs and splintered forends from thin wood, but with proper care there's no reason it can't still be used.

That being said, there have been significant improvements in shotgun design over the past 30+ years that you may want to take advantage of. What are you intending to use it for?
 
The Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus with Kickoff has been the easiest and softest shooting semi-auto shotgun I've ever handled. Not exactly an inexpensive solution, but your non-working shoulders will thank you after a day of duck, goose, clays...whatever.

Look at it this way, you could sell the 11-87 to get you on your way to an A400.
 
I used my 11-87 “Premier” (blue/walnut) ,which I had bought used in the late ‘90s for $375, for 20+ years for dove, pheasant and turkey. Fantastic shotgun with zero cycling or any other issues. But at 8.2lbs, it was heavy when walking for miles through the pheasant fields. So I bought a 7.2lb Remington V3 a number of years ago. It’s not half the shotgun quality that the 11-87 is, but is lighter weight and was $500 new when I bought it. But as @BeeMaa has stated, the Beretta A400 is a fantastic, well made shotgun and if you can afford one, buy it. I myself may look for a lightly used one. I prefer gas operated semi auto shotguns over inertia driven actions like Benelli. Just personal preference.
 
My 11-87 sports a black synthetic stock and is set-up for deer hunting; scoped with rifled slug barrel. Mainly used for deer quota ML/ Archery/ Shotgun only hunts. I do have a 28 inch smooth multi screw in choke barrel as a just in case use.

I love my 11-87 for my intended use.

If you are wanting it for other than as a slug gun. There are better choices. But, I'd still prefer the 11-87 with options to use 2-2/4, 3, 3-1/2 inch shells when a 12 gauge is required.

Ok,....I do have a nice wood stock 1100 with extra barrel. That I would prefer over the 11-87. But I would prefer to somewhat protect the looks of the 1100 by only using it in open areas for field birds (dove, pheasant, quail) vs hunting ducks, grouse, squirrels in the woods/swamps.

Can't go wrong with the 11-87. But it's all about personal preference.
 
I have the 11-87 premier grade left hand. Mine has gorgeous wood on it. Use it for doves, ducks and trap shooting, and chicken coop protection. Cycles low base trap loads and 3 inch mag duck loads with ease, never had it malfunction on me. I do clean and oil it every year after hunting season. I really enjoy how the gun points, best pointing gun I own.
 
The 11-87, when it's working, is one of the softest-shooting, most versatile semi-autos ever made. When it's not working, it'll make you want to throw it in a lake.
 
Not a 11-87, but any opinions on the Remington Versa Max? Unlike the V3, the successor to Remington (Rem Arms) chose not to continue their production. I only ask because my local Bass Pro has a used one in the tactical/competition model with a 28” barrel but with the extended magazine tube for $650. I looked at it and there’s no evidence I could find that it’s ever been shot. Just curious. Thanks!
 
CoElkHunter said:
Not a 11-87, but any opinions on the Remington Versa Max? Unlike the V3, the successor to Remington (Rem Arms) chose not to continue their production. I only ask because my local Bass Pro has a used one in the tactical/competition model with a 28” barrel but with the extended magazine tube for $650. I looked at it and there’s no evidence I could find that it’s ever been shot. Just curious. Thanks!
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Would not be my first, second or even 10th choice for an auto-loader. Remington (and subsequently RemArms) quality went downhill quickly after 2004 because of a focus on cost-management instead of quality control. This resulted in their eventual demise and sale to Vista Outdoors in 2020.

I wouldn't trust one of their products post-2004 as far as I could throw them. That's not saying they didn't make good products during those years, but the likelihood of getting a lemon is way above average. There are too many better options at this price point to take the risk.

Give me a call and we can talk. ;)
 
I had an 11-87 Police some years ago. It was a good shotgun, and surgically accurate with slugs and the ghost ring sights. The o-ring is the weak link in the system; if that little rubbery ring breaks the gun won’t cycle correctly. You can use replacements from the plumbing store but they’ll wear out fast. Best to use the Remington o-rings if you can find them and inspect frequently for signs of wear and tear. One of those guns I kind of wish I’d kept.
 
BeeMaa said:
Would not be my first, second or even 10th choice for an auto-loader. Remington (and subsequently RemArms) quality went downhill quickly after 2004 because of a focus on cost-management instead of quality control. This resulted in their eventual demise and sale to Vista Outdoors in 2020.

I wouldn't trust one of their products post-2004 as far as I could throw them. That's not saying they didn't make good products during those years, but the likelihood of getting a lemon is way above average. There are too many better options at this price point to take the risk.

Give me a call and we can talk. ;)
Click to expand...
I would but I’m watching your liberal Governor Spanberger giving the Democratic response to Trump’s State of the Union speech. You’re screwed Eric! LOL
 
The 11-87 is a solid, versatile, and underrated shotgun. When it's good, it's very good. But its reputation is complicated by Remington's quality control fluctuations, especially in the later years. If you have a good one, it'll run forever. If you have a bad one, you'll curse its name.
 
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