New Shotgun Worth It?

[clunker]

Before I start, it has been months since last activity on my favorite forum. Been way too busy with work and life to think about guns, but I definitely missed my fellow members. Gold membership on the way after next paycheck.

I've been keeping my eyes open for a shotgun for at least a year. Lots of my friends want to go bird hunting this year, but all the guns I had were rifles. As much as I hate Walmart, a buddy of mine texted me a pic of two shotguns on clearance, and I jumped at the opportunity without doing any research because the 12 gauge was 50% off and definitely would be gone tomorrow. It's a Remington 11-87 Sportsman (synthetic stock).

I have been reluctant to buy anything Remington because of quality standards decline over the last decade, but the deal was too good to pass up. $270 after sales tax. Here's the question. Has anyone used this shotgun, and is it a piece of junk or at least as good as the entry level Mossberg Maverick 88 they have for $188? The Remington looks and feels like higher quality than the Mossberg, but I haven't shot it yet. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks all,

 

[Kermit in Va.]

Think you'll be happy...

 

[Mark M.]

There ok for what they are, they seem to be reliable, you got a great buy

 

[Riesel]

Those birds won't know the difference.

 

[snert]

You did fine. If it turns out to be reliable with no issues, you got a steal. They are a tad heavy, but I have used one for years and it is stone cold reliable.

 

[HTSmith]

They are pretty good shotguns. For that price it would be hard to go wrong.

 

[AckleymanII]

Clunker, the 11/87's I have owned have been great shotguns. I shoot a fast 7/8 oz to 1 7/8 oz in mine.

Replace the o ring on the magazine tube from time to time, they are inexpensive.

 

[mongo chicago]

Yes, I had one and dumped it. The reason? The "O" ring constantly needed replacing. I guess the key is how often are you going to use it or how many rounds do you intend to put through it? If you bought it just to yearly hunt, no big deal. If you bought it to shoot clays every weekend it is a different story. Cost was not the issue. I don't like anything that needs constant repair or replacement. At least that was my experience.

 

[AckleymanII]

I replaced the O ring shooting sporting clays every 5000 rounds or so. I expect that not all O rings are created equal. I did keep the mag tube clean, every 500 rounds or so, and Kept the plastic out of the barrel for best patterns.

Other than this, I had no problems. Brother and nephews run 6 or more 11-87's in 20ga and 12ga, no problems.

I also shot a Beretta 390, 12ga for 5 seasons and never cleaned while shooting sporting clays and 5 Stand.

Due to recoil, I shoot a gas operated shotgun, no over and unders for me.

 

[clunker]

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like I didn't do too bad. I did a little research and found several suggestions of the O-ring needing to be replaced periodically (as some of you have mentioned), but some have specified that you must use Remington brand, or you might have issues. Anyone that can verify or refute that? Also, I need to get some chokes. Any recommendations?

 

[HTSmith]

The O ring thing is no big deal in my opinion. The 1187 is an improved version of one of the biggest selling shotguns in the world--Rem 1100. As for chokes, if it came with IC, MOD, and Full you are set. Maybe if you shoot skeet a skeet choke would help a little, but not much different than IC. What a deal! If it just came with a MOD, then get an IC.

 

[AckleymanII]

When the O ring is a problem, and you find it out while hunting, spin the O ring 180 degrees on the magazine tube.

 

[clunker]

I can't believe that the 20 gauge on clearance at the same price is still available. $250 plus tax for an 11-87 seems like a steal based on the feedback I'm hearing.

The O ring thing is no big deal in my opinion. The 1187 is an improved version of one of the biggest selling shotguns in the world--Rem 1100. As for chokes, if it came with IC, MOD, and Full you are set. Maybe if you shoot skeet a skeet choke would help a little, but not much different than IC. What a deal! If it just came with a MOD, then get an IC.

This is my first shotgun, and I'm still learning about them. It only came with a mod choke, but it is interesting that the Styrofoam in the box has three holes for chokes. Are the factory Remington chokes good, or is there an advantage to looking at Carlson's or other brands? Any advantage to the extended ones, or is flush good enough? I intend to hunt nothing smaller than pheasant and nothing larger than turkey, and I definitely plan to pulverize some clay pigeons. My buddy's Mossberg was not very impressive with its factory mod choke, but a set of aftermarket chokes (improved and full) made a huge difference.

When the O ring is a problem, and you find it out while hunting, spin the O ring 180 degrees on the magazine tube.

Great tip. Knowing that the o-ring is a common issue, I'll probably just keep a couple of spares with my gear. Nothing is worse than equipment problems in the field, including the time I went fishing and somehow forgot to bring my tackle box.

 

[AckleymanII]

Carlson's turkey choke

Carlson's imp modified

Carlson's light modified

You are in business!

 

[HTSmith]

The modified choke you have will do most of what you want to do. Most folks use a specialized full choke for turkey, but they are not necessary. On the other hand a more open choke like IC will make close clay targets easier to hit. Me, I prefer the extended chokes, not necessarily because they pattern better but because its easy to make sure they are tight and they do protect the muzzle a bit. I'd advise putting a flat of shells through it on the clay targets of your choice before investing in too many choke tubes. This is a bit self serving but it would probably be worth it
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1523365439/?tag=accuratescom-20

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

Dang...I'm gonna visit my local Walmart. I may not be in the market for a new shotgun...but for $270 out the door, I wouldn't mind picking up another one. My grandson has asked to go squirrel hunting this fall. Perhaps he can move up from my single shot I've had since 1971.

Cheaper than Dirt has it listed for $479 before taxes and shipping.

 

[clunker]

Dang...I'm gonna visit my local Walmart. I may not be in the market for a new shotgun...but for $270 out the door, I wouldn't mind picking up another one. My grandson has asked to go squirrel hunting this fall. Perhaps he can move up from my single shot I've had since 1971.

Cheaper than Dirt has it listed for $479 before taxes and shipping.

Yep! $479 was Walmart's retail price as well. The clearance price was pretty standard for my local store, but not all locations are the same. Some of the department heads have explained to me how it works. Every store has its own demographic, but corporate decides what each location has to stock. None of the stores can return merchandise, so they have to figure out a way to get rid of items that have been discontinued or that are out of season. I live in a college town, and when school starts, tons of stuff goes on clearance to make room for what students need at move-in. 8 miles away in Moscow, Idaho (also a college town), they rarely clearance anything with significant discounts. It just depends on who manages each store. Still worth checking out your local store. If it's like Pullman, they would rather take a big loss than try to make room for it on the shelf.

Carlson's turkey choke

Carlson's imp modified

Carlson's light modified

You are in business!

Perfect. Thank you!

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

Went to the WM....there were no Remington autos on sale. There were some Mossberg (500?) pumps for about $250. Not the same thing!

 

[hogpatrol]

I had one with a slug barrel, bought it new. First time, was sighting it in and an internal receiver part fell out. Can't remember the part name but had to send it back to Remington because the part needed to be soldered. Later saw the same part for sale on Midway. From this chair, the gun has a design flaw, the interceptor latch stud. It went down the road. Now shooting a Benelli. Buy once, cry once. YMMV

 

[clunker]

I had one with a slug barrel, bought it new. First time, was sighting it in and an internal receiver part fell out. Can't remember the part name but had to send it back to Remington because the part needed to be soldered. Later saw the same part for sale on Midway. From this chair, the gun has a design flaw, the interceptor latch stud. It went down the road. Now shooting a Benelli. Buy once, cry once. YMMV

Sorry to hear that bit of info, especially from a member whose opinion I respect. I will be doing some research on the interceptor latch stud. I'm a buy once, cry once buyer as well. Just couldn't pass up the opportunity.