Remington 11-87 Gas System

[S.F.S]

Is anyone aware of Remington updating the gas system for the 11-87 from when it first came out? And why?

If so, when looking at used ones, how would I be able to tell if that particular model has it?

Scott

[dfm]

Never heard of the 11-87 having it's system updated. The 11-87 is an udated 1100 and that occured in 1987, hence the 11 (1100) 87 (updated design, intoduced in 1987.) Basically made the 1100 into a 3" gun as a standard chambering capable of shooting light and heavy ammo.

dfm

[DML]

There are 2 types of pistons. The old style comes in 2 pieces. The newer style is in one piece. I am not counting the O-ring. The Police Magnum does not have the gas relief ring on the outside. Most newer sporting barrels do.

The 1100 seem to be better at handling low power shells. The 11-87 instructions state that it may not function with low power shells.

[S.F.S]

"There are 2 types of pistons. The old style comes in 2 pieces. The newer style is in one piece."

DML,
When you say old style do you mean the 1100 or the early model 11-87's?
If you are talking about the 11-87 how come they switched from 2 pistons to 1?

[Proshots]

FYI...I have both an 1100 and 1187. The gas pistons in each are identical. Nothing has been changed since purchase, and the 1187 owners manual shows two piece piston. Thefore, I guess I have the "older" 1187? The two guns tear down exactally the same, only differance between the two is the 3" chamber on the 1187. I shoot 3dram equivilant loads with 1 1/8 oz. shot all day long at skeet and clays. I've never had a problem from my 1187 with this load, although I have heard that a 1 once load might cause a problem.
The gas system being the same in both guns does confuse me though. I intentionally bought a 2 3/4 inch chambered 1100 because I had friends that had a 3" 1100 that wouldn't shoot light loads. They always had to shoot high brass, even at doves! I thought that was the reason for "upgrading" the 1100 to 1187 with a different gas syatem to accomadate both light and heavy loads. Yet, I see no difference in the guts of my 1187 as compared to that of my 1100. All I know is that both guns shoot light target loads without a problem.
One last thought: I have also read that things were changed by Remington because too many people were putting 3" 1100 barrels on their 2 3/4" 1100 recievers, causing a real safety issue, and that the gas system had nothing to do with the "upgrade". If true, this would explain why the 1100 and 1187 barrels are not interchangeable. Maybe we could get a Remington rep to reply to this thread and end this mystery once and for all.

[S.F.S]

I have both 1100 and 11-87 owners manual and it shows a 1 piece piston/piston seal assembly for the 12ga. 11-87 and a 2 piece for the 1100.

My question still remains a mystery why was there a 2 piece piston in the earlier 11-87's? :confused:

[DML]

Good question. The two piece piston assembly worked fine for years except for one thing. The MORONS! You might be surprised at how many 1100s and 11-87s are brought to gunsmiths with functioning problems because the piston was installed wrong. Of course, instructions are in the manual and most guns
I have seen have a label on the gun showing the correct way to install the piston parts, but many people can't be bothered to look.

By the way, there is a good point in the instructions that is often over-looked. Be sure that the slots on the piston and piston seal DO NOT line up. If they are lined up, it shouldn't be to difficult to understand that a lot of gas will leak past the and piston cause functioning problems.