Do you need 3" shells?

 

I don't really need the 3 inchers but might use them for some kind of hunting down the road. I hunt the quail and rabbits and dove for the most part. It's not a deal breaker for me with the 3 inch shells.

 

If you're going to be hunting waterfowl the 11-87 would be the better choice. Otherwise it depends on your preference. I've had both and while I like the "feel" of the 1100 a bit better, I can't say that it's superior to the 11-87 in any measurable way. Both are fine guns and you should get whichever one appeals to you the most.

 

The 1100 normally handles light target loads better, and any 2 3/4 " loads. You get the 11-87 if you need the 3" capability, but you're stuck using full 1 1/8 oz. loads (12 ga.) or full 7/8 oz. loads (20 ga.) for targets.

 

They are 99.5% the same gun. Current production the 1100s have a nicer finish and are primarily target gun whereas the 11-87s have matte finishes and are targeted more at the hunting set, and are less expensive. If you shot used practically anything is available in either model. Either model will handle light loads easily. If - repeat if - you do have a problem with an 11-87 with light loads an oversized O ring in front of the piston and piston seal - just like the factory supplied 'barrel seal activator' - will certainly solve that. Just remember to remove it when you shoot heavy loads. Lots of people have 11-87s that handle light loads with no issues, but if you get one that does it's nice to know how to solve it.
If I was only going to have one shotgun I would opt for an 11-87 for the versatility. If you like shiny (like me) an older model will do just as well.

 

I've got both...

The 1100 American Classic or 1100 sporting (polished blue) are nicer shotguns. I use the 11-87 more though because it's the ugly sportsman model with synthetic stock.

Both are reliable, the 11-87 will very occasionally choke. Maybe once in 100-200 shots fired I'll get a failure to eject all the way. Easy to clear but it has cost me a potential clay or a bird more than once.

Get the 1100 if you want the nicer gun. Get the 11-87 if you want a beater. I personally don't like to use 3" shells. The appropriate 2.75" shells will do everything you need.

IMO, they're among the softest shooting shotguns and give me a very fast and easy follow up shot!

 

Yes, I'm leaning to the 1100. Buds seems to have a decent price on both on several models. Ijust want a basic one to hunt with. Don't need the three inchers I don't think.

 

For the use described, I'd recommend 11-87 premier 20 if you can find one......

 

1100, I never could get used to the internal twisting motion of the 11-87.

 

1100, I never could get used to the internal twisting motion of the 11-87.

What on earth are you talking about? Whatever you think is different between them must be in your head

They both work exactly the same and there is no "internal twisting motion" inside of the 11-87 just like there isn't inside the 1100.

As someone else said, they are 99.5% identical and the minor differences do not affect or change how the gun feels or how reliable it is.

 

You get the 11-87 if you need the 3" capability, but you're stuck using full 1 1/8 oz. loads (12 ga.) or full 7/8 oz. loads (20 ga.) for targets.

I disagree, based on personal experience.

 

There are some exceptions. It all depends on the size of the gas port(s) in the barrel.

 

1100, I never could get used to the internal twisting motion of the 11-87.

There's no noticeable internal twisting motion of my 20ga 11-87 Premier, and it handles 7/8 oz. loads just fine. And for me, a lifelong 12ga lover, the recoil is almost imperceptible.

 

Again. I've got both. Newer manufacture 1100 sporting 20ga, and a newer manufacturer 11-87 sportsman.

If you want nicer wood, a beautiful blue finish, buy the 1100 for around $900-1200 depending on model. They are much nicer looking today than the 11-87 models available now.

If you want a beater field gun, buy the 11-87. It's about $300 cheaper and works fine.

If you absolutely have to have 3" shells. Buy the 11-87. I personally think the 1100 is nicer enough to buy and then find something else that shoots 3" later. I don't even shoot 3" though.

They both shoot identical for me. The 1100 is a little heavier with its wood stock I think. I can't feel much of a difference though.

Again. My 11-87 gets far more range time and field time. Simply because it's the cheaper shotgun and is already beat to crap. If I could do it all over again, I'd of bought two 1100 sportings!

 

I don't know what it is about the -87 but I could always feel it operating like it was twisting to the right in my left hand and to the left in my right hand.
never felt it in a browning or Winchester gun, or even my 11-48's or franchi's.
but I could feel it in the 11-87's I have had.

 

I don't know what it is about the -87 but I could always feel it operating like it was twisting to the right in my left hand and to the left in my right hand.

There is nothing, absolutely nothing, inside that gun that rotates. All its parts move either fwd and backwards or up and down.

It's in your head.

 

I don't know what it is about the -87 but I could always feel it operating like it was twisting to the right in my left hand and to the left in my right hand.
never felt it in a browning or Winchester gun, or even my 11-48's or franchi's.
but I could feel it in the 11-87's I have had.

Maybe you had one with a really crooked stock?

When I got my 11-87 sportsman a few years back, the synthetic stock was crooked as heck! Worse than I've ever seen one! So I had to remove it and try and straighten it out as much as possible!

 

I don't know what it is about the -87 but I could always feel it operating like it was twisting to the right in my left hand and to the left in my right hand.
never felt it in a browning or Winchester gun, or even my 11-48's or franchi's.
but I could feel it in the 11-87's I have had.

If you shot it in Argentina it would rotate in the opposite direction. :lol:

 

Get the 1100 if you want the nicer gun. Get the 11-87 if you want a beater.

Sums it up!

 

An 11-87 Premier is no beater shotgun.

 

An 11-87 Premier is no beater shotgun.

It's also no longer made.

If it becomes available again in the future, no problem. But aside from buying used, you're SOL. And even if you buy used, it may have been a beater gun. I've seen many wingmasters and such beat to snot.

 

An 11-87 Premier is no beater shotgun.

Nether are the sporting models..................................at least my late 1980's model skeet shotgun is. Great wood, great blue metal..............could not be a better looking gun.
Only problem is the heavy barrel on the older models like mine.
My 26" barrel handles more like a 28" or maybe even a 30"........works just fine for me. :mrgreen:
:arrow: Twenty-five plus years with mine! {RO

 

With Remington going bankrupt and future factory service highly unlikely if I were buying new I would go with a beretta.

 

With Remington going bankrupt and future factory service highly unlikely

So when do you forecast that Remington will close its doors for good? :roll:

Remington's factory service is FAR from being "highly unlikely" in the future. You might want to look up the differences between a reorganization and a liquidation in bankruptcy law.

 

I've been killing ducks with this gun for 40 years...when steel shot was mandated, I got a Remington Steel Shot Barrell that allows 3" steel load to be used on a 2 3/4" gun. I have had to put thicker retainer latch (from 0.025" to 0.030") but have had zero problems since.