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jclay247

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I am looking for a decently priced semi-auto shotgun. I want one that will cycle 2 3/4" and 3" shells reliably. I am currently looking at 1100's and what not but I would be buying one used and most older 1100's aren't able to cycle both size rounds I want so... Also heard 1187's have had a lot of problems...

what do you think I could find used for 600$ or less, will cycle reliably with 2 3/4" and 3".

Any suggestions?
 
jclay247 said:
Also heard 1187's have had a lot of problems...
what do you think I could find used for 600$ or less, will cycle reliably with 2 3/4" and 3".

Any suggestions?
Look for a (slightly used) 11-87 that is about 6-7 years old. The (slightly) older models seem to have less problems than the newer ones. Part of it may be the two piece piston, which you can replace in any 11-87/1100. You should be able to find one of these for about $500 or so.

I have owned two 11-87s. The first one was a problem from the beginning and I finally sold it. The other one is used and was produced circa 1999. It never misses a beat with light, i.e., 1oz 2.75 drm loads, and these are cheap promo shells at that. It also has the two piece piston.

This is what I have found.
 
I own an 11/87 that I bought in 1993 and I tell you, I must have cycled thousands of rounds through it, everything from light skeet loads to dove, pheasant, turkey loads and hundreds of slugs. I never had a single round fail to eject or cycle, ever!

I have a love/hate relationship with that gun. On one hand, it is heavy and ugly, on the other hand, it is highly reliable and is responsible for 95% of all game kills that I do.
 
jclay247 wrote:

Also heard 1187's have had a lot of problems...
The three that my buddies had, did.

With a budget of $600.00 and the willingness to go used. You should have a lot of good options.

The Wal Mart 390 that was mentioned would be a good choice. You should be able to find other new models like Franchi 712, Weatherby SAS, or the Winchetser SX2.

For used you should be able to find something like the Beretta 3901,Pintail/ES100, Browning Golds (maybe new with rebate),Silver, Franchi I-12, Winchester SX3.

You would more than likely have a tougher time finding a good Benelli M1,Montefeltro, or Beretta AL391 for this price. There are good deals out there tough.

Any of these models would work well for all around use. That would include clays to upland to waterfowling. They are all well made, reliable, and light enough for upland work.
 
The majority of 11-87 problems that I have seen are ammo related. Remington clearly states that the gun will not cycle anything less than 3 1/4 dram, 1 1/8 oz. loads. If yours will cycle light target loads, then you are lucky. If not, well it was never intended to. My solution was to buy a target barrel for mine. It is 2 3/4" shells only, and is made to cycle the gun with light target loads. These are a bit hard to find, but can be had on Gunbroker from time to time. I paid $155.00 for mine. This makes the 11-87 a really soft shooting, reliable clays gun for not a lot of money.

Gotta admit, though, the X2 on Gunbroker is a great option.
 
If you have any Wal-Mart's around you that still sell guns.Take a good look at the Beretta 390.A very good gun for the money that will last you a long time.
 
I have 2 11-87s. One is a premier light contour and it cycles 1 oz loads with no problems. I also have the sportsman model and it even cycles my 7/8 oz reloads. They barely clear the ejection port and land at my feet but they cycle it.
 
jclay247 said:
11/87 is probably what I am going to go with just because they I have had a lot of luck with remington firearms, but I have heard that the 1187's have problems...???
Yes, I have had 50-50 luck thus far. But I still like Remington 11-87's for two simple reasons: (1) I can shoot very well with this gun; and (2) parts are really easy to find. Oh yes, the receiver is made out of steel, which is mostly not the case these days, adding a bit more weight to the gun, which is good in clay games. JMHO.
 
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