Remington 11-87 “special purpose magnum”

[guywithfastcar]

Hi all,

Looking to make the jump into a semi auto shotgun for sporting clays and skeet shooting. Found a really nice Remington 1187 for a good price, but when I checked it out it has “special purpose magnum” on the side of the receiver. It says it’s chambered for 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells (12g). I’ve read that the “magnum” models will not reliably cycle 2 3/4 target loads, but is that only the models chambered for up to 3.5 inch shells?? I’ve google searched and on the forums and haven’t gotten a conclusive answer. Thanks in advance for any help!
Brian

 

[entropy]

I just worked on one yesterday, the owner claimed it malfunctioned with 'light loads', I did have to replace the piston seal and RH shell latch. It then cycled a trap load, pheasant load, and 3" pheasant load no problem.

 

[Hookeye]

There was a 3" model, called the 1187 Special Purpose Magnum
They also made a 3.5" model called the 1187 Special Purpose Supermagnum.

Dunno if super light target loads will cycle an 1187 SP

The Special Purpose models were matte finish for hunting.

Id avoid a 1187 Supermagnum (3.5").

 

[PapaG]

IIRC, 11-87s were 3" guns all along. My 11-87 Premier was. It shot skeet loads as well as turkey boomers.

 

[Frulk]

I bought a brand new, first year of issue 11/87 Special Purpose with 30 inch barrel. Parkerized finish with screw in choke tubes. Came with a camo sling from Rem. Ate everything I ever feed in it.

Edited to add: If I remember right it was rated to shoot steel shot that was just becoming mandatory in a lot of waterfowl regions.

From that interwebby thingy: The Model 11-87 incorporates a self-compensating gas system design, which allows the gun to operate with a range of loads, from light 2+3⁄4-inch (7.0 cm) shells to 3-inch (7.6 cm) Magnum shells, without any adjustment by the operator. It is manufactured in 12 gauge and 20 gauge; both will cycle 2+3⁄4-inch and 3-inch shells.

 

[jmr40]

Most 11-87's will shoot MOST any 2 3/4" shell. You might have some issues with VERY light field loads. But anything 1 1/8 oz and up should be just fine. I've had a couple of the 11-87's over the years including the Special Purpose.

Barrel length plays a factor too. They made them with at least 3 different barrels. The shorter barrels on the turkey and deer guns WILL NOT cycle anything but heavy loads. The shot doesn't stay in those 20-21" barrels long enough to build up enough pressure to cycle the action with light loads. I know they made 26" barrels, mine was 26", and they may have made some 28".

The original guns had real cut checkering on walnut stocks. The metal was parkerized. Those are the desirable ones. Later they went to plastic stocks, or hardwood stocks with matte finished metal. They were nothing more than an 11-87 Express, but they still called them Special Purpose.

My 11-87 SP with my 1st goose. Pic is at least 30 years old.

 

[Hookeye]

I know the first 870 Special Purpose guns were not walnut, but they changed to walnut after 1 or 2 yrs.

An Official Journal Of The NRA | The Remington 870: Greatest Pump Shotgun Ever Made?

Since its introduction in 1950, more than 7 million Remington Model 870 pump-action shotguns have been made in dozens of configurations. In short, the Model 870 is the most popular and best-selling American shotgun in history.

www.americanrifleman.org

Not sure about the 1187s.

 

[Hookeye]

IIRC, 11-87s were 3" guns all along. My 11-87 Premier was. It shot skeet loads as well as turkey boomers.

They made 2 3/4" target model 1187s.

 

[gralewaj]

As long as this gun has the vent rib 26"+ barrel, it should have no issues cycling any 2 3/4" rounds you feed it. The 21" rifle sight deer barrels, smooth or rifled, and the 18" police cylinder bore are the barrels that will not cycle light loads and I think they are all stamped stating this, for full power loads only, something like that. The PC beginning the serial number means Pressure Compensated, the barrel ports gases as needed to cycle the action. This was meant prevent the user from having to change out barrels (1100) to shoot different loads and different length shells.

I've seen several iteration of how Remington marked their receivers over the years. Some just say Special Purpose, some say Magnum, SPS, etc. It just differentiated the years of production or the new line Remington put out that year. No change in function (Exception is the SuperMagnum as it is a 3.5" gun).

 

[Hookeye]

FWIW I killed a bunch of doves running 26 and 30" 1100 magnums. 1200+ fps lead loads cycled fine.

Steel dove loads......wont run.

Have not tried light skeet lead loads

Alas, the change to non toxic on state ground had me purchase a regular 1100 ( which ran dove steel fine ).

Im fine with owning two shotguns vs one that does it all

 

[243winxb]

1 1/8 oz skeet loads worked in my 11-87. The 1 oz loads are less pressure, may or may not work the action??

 

[guywithfastcar]

Thanks for the incredible amount of info guys! I happened across a smoking deal on a Remington 1100 “competition” model for 2 3/4 shells only… passed on the 11-87. Can’t wait to try this puppy out!