I am considering a new scattergun for multi uses. Preferrably one with readily available barrels so I can swap them around. I’ll need a slug barrel, a shorty full choked barrel (for buckshot/home defense) and a bird barrel (26-28"). Mostly shoot 2 3/4" loads, but may want to shoot 3" turkey/duck loads on occasion. I have owned Beretta and Benelli, but I need one a little more budget friendly. I have accumulated a lot of 00, slugs and target loads over the years. Suggestions.
19’ Sea-Pro CC
“Swagger Wagon”
Yamaha 115 - 2 stroke
I bought an 11-87 a couple of years ago and never liked it much. It didn’t pattern where I pointed it, it slapped me in the cheek with heavy loads and it had a lot of jams. Probably the least favorite shotgun I’ve ever owned. I kept it about 6 months and traded it for a Ruger 10/44 carbine. I got the best end of that deal
The old 1100s were some fine shotguns, the 11-87 not so much IMO, but it may just be me. A shotgun needs to fit you.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I have a nice 1187, and I don’t care for the action much. It jams just trying to cycle rounds through it to empty the tube, plus the extra maintenance with the o rings.
I love my Browning Gold Hunter. Best shotgun I have ever owned. I would stick to the 3 B’s, Browning, Benelli, and Beretta.
Maybe so Made me want to slap it back. I hated to pull the trigger on that gun with a buckshot or turkey load in it, about like a fist in the jaw. And it wouldn’t feed light loads.
I’ve got nothing against Remington, but they don’t build them like they used to. The old 1100 was a mighty fine shotgun, but my favorite is still a 870 pump that I’ve had for 35 years, and a Browning A5 that is older than that.
Not sure what happened to Remington, but they made the same mistake with their auto-loading rifles IMO. The old 742 was a good, reliable and accurate rifle for a SA. I have one in 30/06, it’s got to be 35 years old, never missed a beat, rain, mud, sunk boats, ice, sand, run over with a truck, shot by a shotgun (don’t ask) and still functions perfectly. Got the new/ improved model 7400 and it was junk compared to the 742. Kept the 7400 about as long as I kept the 1187, 6 months and it was gone. I don’t think it ever cycled a full magazine without a jam, never could put 5 shots in a 6" circle. Sure was pretty though:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I have the 1187 special purpose. It is probably a mid 90’s model. Bought it used from Carolina Rod and Gun, came with a 28-inch barrel and multiple chokes. I use it mostly for skeet and bet I have pulled the trigger at least 3000 times and I have never had it jam. Most of the loads have been the cheapest low brass number 8s I could find at Wally World, but I have also shot some buckshot through it and duck loads. Yes it is a heavy gun, yes it kicks more than some others, but I did not break the bank buying it and it is has very reliable for me. Besides a little kick is part of shooting a gun in my opinion.
I’m kind of a sick-twisted freak and relish recoil. I don’t mind a heavy recoiling gun at all. I just want pretty reliable and availability of multiple types and lengths of barrels. Hitting the gun show this weekend and see what’s out there.
“There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
Ernest Hemingway
