11-87 damaging shell brass

[Jimspur]

Hey Guys - I have a 3 inch chamber Remington 11-87 Special Purpose
with a 26" barrel that I bought new in 1990. The gun has had about
150 slugs and 300 2oz. turkey loads put through it, along with duck and
trap loads etc.
For the last 4-5 years the gun has started eating the brass up. I have my
theory about why but I'm not sure. I showed some of the brass to a local
gunsmith a few years ago and he kind of blew it off.
It has started getting worse this year. I want to get it fixed if possible.
The gun is still functioning perfectly. Look closely at the brass and you'll
see the dents on the edge and the dents in the middle of the flat part of
the brass between the edge and the primer pocket. It also dents the side of the brass as well. This is happening due to the shells being loaded and
unloaded in the gun during turkey season. What say you?

[TKE921]

It is because of the overpowered mag spring and the two flat edges just behind the lifter.  Whenever I unload my 11-87 I always take the shells out of the magazine by pushing the release and taking them out of the bottom, then eject the chambered shell last.

[Jimspur]

It is because of the overpowered mag spring and the two flat edges just behind the lifter.  Whenever I unload my 11-87 I always take the shells out of the magazine by pushing the release and taking them out of the bottom, then eject the chambered shell last.

That was my theory, that the magazine tube spring was too stiff and
slamming the shells into the interceptor latch and the feed latch.
I'll start unloading it like you said.
Thanks

[Neill_Prater]

I have the same gun, bought in the same time frame. Only difference is I switched barrels to a 21 incher.

Like most turkey hunters, I unload my gun far more often than I shoot it. Some shells through the years have probably been cycled dozens, if not hundreds of times, and I have never experienced damage such as shown in your pictures. I can't believe whatever is doing that isn't repairable.

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[Jimspur]

I have the same gun, bought in the same time frame. Only difference is I switched barrels to a 21 incher.

Like most turkey hunters, I unload my gun far more often than I shoot it. Some shells through the years have probably been cycled dozens, if not hundreds of times, and I have never experienced damage such as shown in your pictures. I can't believe whatever is doing that isn't repairable.

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Thanks Neill, I'm gonna get it checked out.

[ShootingABN!]

It is because of the overpowered mag spring and the two flat edges just behind the lifter.  Whenever I unload my 11-87 I always take the shells out of the magazine by pushing the release and taking them out of the bottom, then eject the chambered shell last.

Yes Sir,
I've always unloaded the mag tube without cycling the shell through the barrel.
So to the OP try that. Let her eat.

[fallhnt]

I have one I bought in '89 and it dosen't want to eject anything but turkey loads now.

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[Jimspur]

I will start unloading the mag tube before I eject the one out of the chamber. Thanks Guys!

[Jimspur]

I just went and loaded my gun and tried to get the shells out of the
mag tube before I ejected the one out of the chamber.
I wasn't able to do it because the carrier doesn't rise up high enough
to clear the brass. After I depress the feed latch the brass hits the carrier
and prevents the shell from coming out of the mag tube.

[maddog3355]

I have one I bought in '89 and it dosen't want to eject anything but turkey loads now.

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Have you replaced the O ring?

[maddog3355]

I have a 11/87 that also does this and dents the sides of the brass some. 20 years ago I showed it to a gun smith and he said he could fix it but didn't say what parts needs changed.  He said it won't hurt anything so I keep on hunting with it.

[Jimspur]

Hey Maddog - I have replaced the o-ring but this happens to the shells
ejected by hand. I don't understand how some people can unload the
shells out of the magazine tube. My carrier is in the way on my gun.

[fallhnt]

I have one I bought in '89 and it dosen't want to eject anything but turkey loads now.

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Have you replaced the O ring?

No,you think that's all it needs?

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[THattaway]

That's not uncommon with 1187s, 12s and 20s. I've heard that the ejector claw can be worked/polished and fix the issue. Haven't done it myself, just been putting up with it.

[TalknTurkey]

I had an 870 SPS Shurshot that damaged the brass like that ever since I got it. I also had issues with it ejecting shells at times and it actually cost me a bird or two. I ended up getting rid of it and moving on to a different gun.