Back in 1999 I bought 2 tactical shotguns at the same time, a Remington 11-87 Police and a Bennelli M1 Super 90. I bought both so I could figure out which one was best, and which one would be a "keeper". From all I had read at the time, I figured the Bennelli M1 would be the winner. I only bought the Remington 11-87P because someone I respected insisted the Remington was a better choice.

Well it's 12 years later and I still have the Remington 11-87P. The Benelli only lasted a year with me. The Remington fed every kind of load from day one. Bird shot, buckshot, slugs, the lightest loads, the heaviest loads. The Bennelli did not! It only reliably fed the heavy loads. And yes, I put 100s of rounds through each. I even shot trap with both of them :)

The Benelli, with it's recoil operated system kicked like a mule compared to the gas operation of the Remington.

I have more rounds than I can remember through my 11-87P and I have NEVER had a single malfunction! Not one!

The Benelli was also quite a bit longer than the Remington. The Bennelli has a very long receiver. The length of the Remington seemed just right to me. Not to mention that the Remington has a steel receiver, and the Benelli has an aluminum receiver...which always seemed delicate and thin to me.

Back in 2000 I sent my 11-87P to Scattergun Technologies (before Wilson Combat bought them out), and had them install their ghost ring night sights, magazine extension, magazine spring and follower, tactical sling, side shell carrier, and extended bolt handle.




However, I did buy a second 1187 Police in 2002. It was a piece of junk compared to my late 1990s 11-87P. I was so disappointed. The finish was satin black and looked like it was sprayed on with can of spraypaint. The stock was cheap and flimsy. The recoil pad was garbage. And it only fed heavy loads. It was not reliable with light loads at all. I got rid of it immediately.

The finish on my late 1990s 1187P is a beautiful powder grey parkerizing, like the old colt AR15s (see the pic above). The finish has proven to be extremely durable. I don't have any pics of the 2002 finish, but it was awful and cheap looking in comparison. As was the stock and recoil pad.

Here's a better look at the durable recoil pad and stock on the late 1990s 11-87Ps:




And the late 1990s 11-87Ps had this cool remington cap on the stock, the 2002 didn't:




If you are in the market for an 11-87P, I highly recommend you find a late 1990s model that has been well cared for. They just appeared to be much better made than the newer ones. But maybe some guys who have some recent production 1187Ps can chime in to tell us how they are working out? Maybe I just got a lemon in 2002? Maybe they improved the finish?

I have a 11-87P that I bought from a estate sale & never fired it.

I was thinking of selling it but I think I will give it a try.

I hope you have as good luck as I have had with mine. I would not trade my late 1990s 1187P for any other tactical shotgun that is out there now.

I have an 11/87P that i bought new about five years ago. Bought it with a bead sight,
and later added the Scattergun Tech ghost ring sights. Also a sidesaddle and sling.
The thing would not eject lowbrass shells, and lotsa guys said to drill the gas port out.
But one guy said he had talked to Remington, and they said to lube it with automatic
transmission fluid. It eats anything. it does not malfunction. I`ve got an 870P also, dressed
the same way, like a Wilson clone. it mostly stays in the safe, and the auto stays where
i can get my hands on it.

And lately, i put a youth stock on it so the wife can shoot it easier, and cause i wanted to
try it shorter,(i`m six foot, she`s not) I like the shorter stock, but now it`s become "her gun".

Oh, well, i guess that just makes room for that KelTec shotgun when it comes out.....

Th Scruff

Nice shotgun.

I like it.

If you want to sell it I'm in! Lol