Remington 11-87 troubleshooting

[filmjunkie4ever]

Bought a used Remington 11-87 12 gauge (2 3/4” only) from a friend a while back. Bought some Federal #8 target loads and took it to the range this weekend. It shoots, cycles, but will not eject spent hulls.

Research suggested I inspect/replace the gas ring. Upon disassembly, I discovered that there was no gas ring nor any groove which it is supposed to occupy on the magazine tube. The barrel ring, piston and piston spring seemed dirty so I cleaned them and tried again, still won’t eject.

Should I buy the rubber ring and install it on the magazine tube in between the pistol and barrel ring even though there is no groove for such a ring? Help please!

 

[JD338]

Dale,
I had an 11-87 Super Mag 12 ga 3.5” magnum. It cycled the 3.5” shells without a hitch but wouldn’t cycle 3” or 2.75” shells. I cleaned and cleaned, changed gas rings and still wouldn’t cycle.
I sent it down the road and never looked back.

JD338

 

[RememberBaker]

There should be an O ring in addition to the 2 stainless parts. I always cleaned the magazine tube and stainless rings with carb cleaner and a piece of green scotch brite pad. It’s been a long time since I had an 11-87 and I don’t remember the names of the parts or their order, just that there are 2 stainless rings and an O ring.

 

[Dr. Vette]

There should be an o-ring in there.

In my experience, many of the substitute o-rings available are not the right size with regard to total diameter or thickness. You may want to see if you can find a real Remington o-ring, or consider looking at a few different sources.

Don't forget to clean the port from the barrel.
If the parts are not in the correct order or orientation it will not cycle a shell. Ask how I know.

 

[NYDAN]

The "O" ring gas seals on the 1100 and 11-87 shotguns were considered a standard replacement part back when I used to shoot registered skeet and trap. I carried both spare "O" rings and spare steel rings when I used those shotguns during competitive shoots.

The "O" rings are available from Brownell's: https://www.brownells.com/gun-parts...system-parts/remington-110011-87-gas-o-rings/

As stated above the steel rings need to go in a specific order. Here is a photo of the correct orientation:



The easy way to remember is that the flat part of the rings goes toward the flat part of the piston (toward the stock), the concave and convex surfaces mate together, and thin edge goes toward the "O" ring or the muzzle of the shotgun.

A groove in the magazine tube is not necessary.

Another thing to check is the gas regulating ring on the barrel. It is a stamped metal piece on the part of the barrel that fits over the magazine (cylinder):




If that piece is missing, it bleeds all the gas out of the cylinder.

Also, there is a stamped metal piece that OFTEN gets overlooked, lost, misplaced, and forgotten whenever an 11-87 gets taken apart. Sometimes it stays in the forearm and then falls on the ground when no one is looking.



That goes on over the cylinder and gas regulating ring, underneath the forearm.



I hope this helps. If not, contact me directly.

I don't even dare to think how many rounds I have fired through 1100's and 11-87's. It is tens of thousands.

Dan

 

[Dr. Vette]

@NYDAN - great report with pictures.

Also, if someone had a slug barrel on the shotgun then some of the parts are not used. It's easy to then forget them when swapping back.

I find that foaming bore cleaner down the barrel will work its way through the gas port and let you know if it's open or not. It also cleans it.