REM 1100 vs 11-87

[TZL]

newbie to shotguns, looking to pick up a semi auto to compliment my REM 870

whats the difference between the 1100 and 11-87?

thanks in advance !

[randy]

Personally I like the 11-87 better. It will handle a wider range of shells meaning power.

The 11-87 has a metal ring at the gas ports that allows it to shoot low power shells and when you shoot something with higher drams it opens and lets the gas blow by to soften the recoil.

That might not be the best description but it's pretty close.

[uscbigdawg]

If you don't have either, the 11-87 is a "better" purchase in that it "fixes" some of the issues that are fixable on the 1100. Nothing big, but the little tweaks that you would do on the 1100 are done on the 11-87 as well as the add of other little goodies.

You really can't go wrong either way, but again, if you have to choose, just spend a little extra on the 11-87.

Rich

[Sumo99]

I think the 1100 only takes 2.75" shells while the 11-87 takes both 2.75" & 3" shells. I also think there is an 11-87 that takes 3.5" shells.

[maxicon]

The 1100 is designed to handle a specific range of shell power. For instance, the magnum version won't cycle light loads reliably, and the hunting version won't always cycle light target loads. It's a factor of the gas port size and number of port holes on the barrel, so you have to switch barrels to switch between different loads, or you can make it run with light loads and risk it getting beat up more on heavy loads.

The 11-87 is a better bet for a general purpose gun, but the 1100 is often a good bit cheaper used. I've got a 20 gauge magnum that I drilled out to use target loads, and it runs great.

The 1100 is a great shotgun if it cycles the shells you want to use. I like both of mine a lot, but only shoot light loads in them.

[randy]

Unless you just have to have a Remington you might want to look at a Benelli. They are the best Semi Auto. They do cost more. If you are looking for a field gun then the M2's will do just about anything. They don't chamber the 3.5" shells. If you are looking for a ghetto blaster they make the M2 or M4 in a tactical model.

[ajl2121]

Can the M4's increase their shell capacity of only 5 without much modification or cost? Their magazine tube extends to the end of the barrel, but it seems like it's wasted room. I would think that "combat" semi-autos should hold at least 7 down below and one up top. The remington 1100 tac 4 holds 9 total rounds.

[randy]

Yes no problem. www.davesmetalworks.com sells a 1 piece tube and a 2 piece tube. It adds a couple of rounds. The Remington Tac model is a repainted Competition Master. They didn't work, I had one nothing but trouble, you might have better luck than everybody else I've seen with a 1100.

I know I've said this many many times but the Benelli will run with little or no maintenance. I've seen the Remmys fail after just being maintained. Remington's require maintenance (changing parts). The Benelli likes a bit of light oil once in awhile.

[uscbigdawg]

Like Randy, I'm partial to the Italian guns. M1 & M2 and both run like a champ. My 1100 runs like a scalded cat, but it's been worked over a smidge by me and Briley. All in all a GREAT shotgun that I don't ever want to sell, but can see parting with in the very near future.

Rich

[X-NewYawker]

+1 1187

[smle-man]

I've owned my 1187 since the late 90s, bought it used and I've put more than a thousand rounds through it. It works every time with light and heavy rounds. You can mix them in the tube and it will function with either without a bobble. I like it!

[TZL]

thanks for all the feedback guys, i'm probably going to go with a 11-87

I would love a Benelli M4 or M2, but probably more than i want to spend, since i rarely shoot my stuff anyways :-P

[steadyrock]

Not Remington, but does nobody like the Browning A-5 anymore? It seems all I hear about are the Mossy and Remington pumps, and the Remington and Benelli autos. The BA-5 is a beautiful gun that can be had for cheep, and it runs like hell... Just something the OP might want to consider.

[maxicon]

A5's a great gun - one of the all-time classic designs, and a fine piece of old-school gear. That said, it's heavy, bulky, not easily customizable, and I think they're butt-ugly (but opinions vary on this, of course).

YMMV, as always!

[uscbigdawg]

TZL - Great idea. The 11-87 will serve you well, especially if you're not going to shoot it much. The average 3-Gun competitor will shoot somewhere around 5-10k rounds of just birdshot in a year. In '04, I shot 30k through my 1100 and pretty much had Brownell's on speed dial ordering replacement parts when random stuff would go down. Nothing big, but stuff just breaks.

Again, another plus on the Benelli's. VERY few parts and they're easy to replace and fix IF (not when) something goes wrong.

Rich