Remington 1100 or 1187?

[sclearman]

First post on this forum, but I'm looking for wisdom. I (re)found this site via Tamara....well...here we go:
Last year I 'built' shotguns for my sons for Christmas. All 3 boys got an 870 set up for social get togethers, the 4th one I kept for myself because the several 870's I already had just weren't enough or something.
https://i.imgur.com/yR5hDKfh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XmmsZOeh.jpg

Yes they all still need lights and maybe shell holders or cards but I gave them a good start.

When I worked on those, I got to Jonesing for a semi-auto. I bought a Stoeger M3000 and it's great. I've shot dove loads as well as Winchester and Hornady 00B out of it and it shoots them all. But, it doesn't move me. I look at it and it's just very 'eh'. I realized what would move me is a Remington 1100/1187 fixed up pretty much the same as the 870's...oil finish wood stocks, blasted metal covered in Norrell's Moly-Resin, ghost ring sights.

I've made the decision that I will peddle my Stoeger and then start the search for a Remington. My question is this, which model should I hold out for the 1100 or the 1187? Will it make a huge difference? I mean if I find a killer deal on an 1100 should I pass and wait for an 1187? (or versa-visa)

I guess I need to define my purpose for this. First, I can't see reaching past one of the 870's to grab an auto for an emergency. Having said that, setting up a semi-auto for home defense is the goal, with the intended use being hunting and fun and as a backup to the 870. And because I want one.

So, 1100 or 1187 or it doesn't matter? which one and why please.

Scott

[NH Shooter]

https://i.imgur.com/yR5hDKfh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XmmsZOeh.jpg



Nice 870 collection!

I did a "cut from both ends project" with a 1187 Premier 28" vent rib that I had owned for decades that got very little use. Here's what it looks like now;

https://i.ibb.co/Lx7VfyN/1187-43.jpg


Here are some links you may find helpful;

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?45762-Slingin-My-1187

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?37084-1187P

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?37532-Thinking-of-making-a-short-11-87

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?39733-And-then-there-was-one

[awp_101]

First off, welcome!

Second, I'd consider parts and service availability. I'm not well versed in the 1100 family but IIRC the 1187 is (was?) a product improved 1100 so they should feel and handle the same but I'm not sure what parts might interchange. OTOH if you're a shotgun 'smith, you might already have a pile of parts for both so that won't matter.

Third, please tell me more about the Texas logo on those receivers...:D

[BobM]

I’d say NH Shooter is the resident 1187 expert here.

I’ve been using 870s personally and professionally since 1987 but a few years ago also became interested in getting a semi auto.
I stumbled across a too good to pass up deal on an 1187 Special Purpose with a 21” iron sighted REM choke barrel. I found a youth stock for it and eventually added a Mesa Tactical optic rail/shell holder and an Aimpoint. I’ve taken it deer and turkey hunting and to multiple combat shotgun classes.
Mine needs full power ammo to run so I can’t use the low recoil buckshot. It runs great with Hornady Critical Defense 00 and Winchester AA Super Heavy Target load that I sometimes can get at Walmart.
Earlier in the year I came across a wood stocked 1187 in the used rack at a Cabelas. I’ve only put a few rounds through it so far but so far I like it.

[sclearman]

Nice 870 collection!

I did a "cut from both ends project" with a 1187 Premier 28" vent rib that I had owned for decades that got very little use. Here's what it looks like now;



Thanks, that looks nice as well. The thing is although I know 'how' a gas shotgun works, I don't know enough about the differences between the 1100 and 1187 to make an educated choice.
My plan is a lot of birdshot for practice and general fun, say 60% will be 7 1/2 shot. The other 40% will be a mix of buck and slugs here and there. Mostly hunting. I don't ever foresee hunting birds with this gun. When I say hunting I'm meaning coyote calling, hogs and the occasional skunk or other varmint around the house. (i live in the middle of nowhere, I have lots of occasional varmints).

What I want is to be able to buy relatively cheap bird loads for target and reloading practice. And also be able to load up some 00buck or slug if needed. Is that possible with either?

[sclearman]

First off, welcome!

Second, I'd consider parts and service availability. I'm not well versed in the 1100 family but IIRC the 1187 is (was?) a product improved 1100 so they should feel and handle the same but I'm not sure what parts might interchange. OTOH if you're a shotgun 'smith, you might already have a pile of parts for both so that won't matter.

Third, please tell me more about the Texas logo on those receivers...:D

I've got some leftovers from the 870's, nothing specifically for the 11xx series.

Ah, the logo.....I have a fiber laser in my shop. I use it to engrave the form 1 suppressors I build. I grew up in a little farming community of Warsaw. There was a creek behind our house that ran between 2 soil conservation lakes. We called it Warsaw Creek, not sure if it had an official name or not but that's what everyone I knew called it. When I built my shop at my house I talked about making a sign for the shop but never really did, that was 5-6 years ago. I'm getting close to being ready to retire, and have considered getting my FFL and 07/SOT. To that end I had been thinking of what would I call the place. Suddenly Warsaw Creek Armory sounded like a good idea. So when I built the 870's for the boys, in addition to refinish I decided to give them a little more distinction. All the receivers are laser engraved with the outline of the state of Texas, and under that "Warsaw Creek Armory".

[fatdog]

Just prior to the turn of the century and until about 2002 I ran 1100's in 3-gun competition. I finally gave them up and went to Benelli's, but if I had stayed with Remington's I think would have upgraded to the 1187.

The 1100's use of a button on the loading gate is cumbersome, makes it hard to load or reload fast, and simply a silly design, that was fixed on my raceguns by a part replacement f (https://www.davesmetalworks.com/rem.html)or the required speed loading in the sport that gave a mechanism to depress with the shell, replacing the button and streamlining the loading gate. Then there is a part in the 1100 mechanism called the interceptor latch that gave me (and others trying to use them) no end of trouble in high volume fast shooting with high capacity tubes. It got to the point where I had 3 1100's set up for 3-gun. One to start the match, one to finish the match when that one went down and one that was already away getting fixed.

As a dove hunting or clays gun the 1100 is probably fine, as a defensive firearm that sees any high volume shooting with an extended capacity tube and needs to be reloaded quickly, I think it is a complete POS and a horrible design. I have zero experience with the 1187. I do love the 870's and it is my standard for a pump gun.

[Caballoflaco]

I agree with fatdog ‘s assessment for the same reasons of running one in 3 gun. Also, now that they’re discontinued and sporting clays folks have decided they’re collector items you’ll be paying a lot more for small parts that will break if you shoot it much. For example the recoil spring to bolt carrier link that iirc was like $12.00 in the early 00’s are on gunbroker right now for $50-$70 bucks. Even barrels you used to could get for $100 bucks are being posted for 4-500 on GB now.

It might be worth waiting to see what beretta announces at shot re this gun.
https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?55350-Had-a-little-something-interesting-show-up-in-class-this-past-weekend

And maybe this wood stock set: https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/C8A361P

Or maybe look for a wood stock set for your Stoeger.

Having said that, sometimes you just want an old gun because it’s old and cool and that’s ok too.

In fact This one looks pretty cool, if it hasn’t been messed with and still runs.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/963060798ya

[Tensaw]

FWIW, I shot a 21" 1187 (3" turkey gun) for a *bunch* o' years chasing ducks and dove. Ran the original gas o-ring for at least five years until it finally failed. A replacement fixed it right up. So, pretty reliable in my sample group of one. BUT, that thing is a heavy pig and, you can't easily shorten the stock if you decide you want to. Were it me, I would hold off till SHOT Show and save my pennies for this new Beretta that will be rolling out. YMMV.

[L-2]

While I own a 2005 Remington 11-87P, I wouldn't generally recommend one or any at this time.

-The new Remarms company has discontinued this firearm.
-No new replacement parts are being made for it.
-Old-stock replacement parts are hard-to-find.
-This is the only shotgun where I've ever had something break and needed a part. Thank goodness is occurred prior to the Remarms taking over. The part was a shell latch and I don't know where I'd get another at this time. Back in ~2017, I think it was Brownell's which had the part in-stock.
-My trigger group is acting up a bit and no longer results in the bolt chambering a round by merely cycling the bolt back without depressing the carrier. The bolt does cycle when shooting however.

HOWEVER:
-Whether it make monetary sense to buy used 1100/11-87 guns vs. buying new Beretta 1301 or other fighting semiauto shotguns may actually result in a good savings, especially for the OP who does good restoration work on shotguns.
-Perhaps restoring middle-age Remington semiautos is a financially "borderline" activity vs. just saving up and buying new or used Beretta 1301, Benelli M4, or any other good semiauto fighting shotguns.
-Yet the OP may be starting to do this at the right time and prices of these 1100/11-87 guns might be good right now (but I wouldn't know).

[sclearman]

Thanks to those who have offered your thoughts, I really appreciate it.

I'm not sure why, but all of the posts I try to make in response here tell me they are awaiting moderator approval. That's fair, I understand its the rules. However, posts I tried to make literally right after being asked a question here still aren't showing up days later. It makes it very hard to stay engaged and keep the conversation going.

No hard feelings no offense taken, but I probably wont be back. I'll check in just to see if my posts in this thread ever get approved but it looks like im very limited in participation. I just wanted to let folks know why I left, it wasn't the quality of the forum or boredom, I just cant seem to participate in it.

Scott Clearman