Remington 11-87 Sportsman 12 Gauge Shotgun: The Versatile Field Companion

For generations, the Remington name has been synonymous with robust, reliable, and high-performance firearms. Among its celebrated lineup, the Remington 11-87 Sportsman 12 Gauge stands out as a quintessential American shotgun, meticulously engineered to meet the diverse demands of hunters, sport shooters, and enthusiasts seeking an all-around dependable firearm. This isn't just a shotgun; it's a legacy of innovation and craftsmanship designed to provide an unparalleled shooting experience. Whether you're navigating the dense cover of a pheasant field, waiting patiently in a duck blind, or honing your skills on the clay target range, the 11-87 Sportsman is built to perform consistently, season after season. It represents an ideal choice for anyone looking for a gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun that offers superior recoil reduction, quick follow-up shots, and unwavering reliability in varied conditions.

Are you searching for the best all-around shotgun that can seamlessly transition from the duck marsh to the sporting clays course? Do you need a firearm that significantly reduces felt recoil, making long days in the field or high-volume shooting sessions more comfortable? Perhaps you're a new shooter asking, "What's a reliable semi-automatic shotgun that’s easy to maintain and built to last?" Or maybe an experienced hunter wondering, "Which 12-gauge shotgun offers the versatility to handle various game animals and shot types?" The Remington 11-87 Sportsman directly answers these common questions and more, offering a compelling blend of features optimized for real-world scenarios. It's the firearm you can trust when precision and quick handling matter most. This model, specifically the configuration with the 28-inch barrel and matte blued finish (SKU 29879), embodies the practical elegance and rugged utility that discerning shooters demand. Available at DEGuns, it represents an investment in enduring performance.

Unrivaled Performance: The Gas-Operated Advantage

At the heart of the Remington 11-87 Sportsman's exceptional performance lies its renowned gas-operated semi-automatic action. This sophisticated system harnesses a portion of the propellant gases to cycle the action, providing two significant advantages:

• Superior Recoil Mitigation: Unlike pump-action or inertia-driven shotguns, the gas system spreads the recoil impulse over a longer period, dramatically reducing felt recoil. This makes shooting more comfortable, especially during extended sessions or when firing heavier magnum loads. Reduced recoil allows for quicker sight reacquisition and less shooter fatigue, contributing to improved accuracy and enjoyment.
• Fast, Reliable Cycling: The gas system ensures smooth and rapid cycling of successive rounds, allowing for quick follow-up shots – a crucial advantage in fast-paced hunting scenarios like flushing pheasants or multiple incoming waterfowl. It's engineered for consistent operation across a wide range of 12-gauge ammunition, from light target loads to heavy 3-inch magnum shells.

The Versatile 12 Gauge Chambered for 3 Inches

The Remington 11-87 Sportsman is chambered for 12 Gauge, universally recognized as the most versatile and popular shotgun gauge. Its ability to accept both 2 ¾-inch and 3-inch shotgun shells provides immense flexibility for diverse applications:

• 2 ¾-inch shells: Ideal for trap, skeet, and sporting clays, as well as upland bird hunting where lighter loads are sufficient.
• 3-inch shells: Essential for waterfowl hunting, turkey hunting, or any situation requiring heavier payloads and increased range, offering greater knockdown power and pattern density for larger or more distant game.

This dual-chamber capability ensures you're equipped for nearly any hunting or shooting challenge without needing multiple shotguns.

Optimal Handling with a 28-Inch Barrel

The 28-inch vent-rib barrel configuration of the Remington 11-87 Sportsman strikes an ideal balance between maneuverability and effective range.

• Balanced Swing and Pointability: A 28-inch barrel provides an excellent sight plane for accurate aiming and promotes a smooth, controlled swing, which is vital for hitting moving targets in wing shooting. It allows the shotgun to "point" naturally towards your target.
• Enhanced Pattern Consistency: Longer barrels generally contribute to more consistent shot patterns downrange, maximizing the effectiveness of your chosen ammunition.
• Versatility: This barrel length is widely considered the gold standard for all-around shotgunning, excelling in everything from pheasant and duck hunting to competitive clay target shooting disciplines like trap and sporting clays. The inclusion of a traditional bead sight on the vent rib offers a simple, effective aiming solution.

Durable and Discreet: Matte Blued and Matte Black Finish

The aesthetic and protective finishes on the 11-87 Sportsman are chosen for both durability and practical field utility.

• Matte Blued Barrel and Receiver: This classic finish provides robust corrosion resistance and a non-reflective surface, crucial for preventing glare that could spook game or give away your position. It’s a timeless look that also stands up to the rigors of outdoor use.
• Matte Black Synthetic Stock and Forend: The synthetic furniture is impervious to the elements – rain, snow, mud, and extreme temperatures – ensuring reliability regardless of the weather conditions. Its matte black finish complements the blued metalwork, creating a cohesive and discreet profile. The ergonomic design of the stock and forend provides a comfortable and secure grip, even when wet, enhancing control and reducing fatigue during long periods of carrying or shooting. This specific right-hand configuration ensures optimal ergonomics for most shooters.

Field-Ready Capacity: 4+1 Rounds

With a magazine capacity of 4 rounds plus 1 in the chamber, the Remington 11-87 Sportsman provides ample firepower for most hunting and sporting applications. This standard capacity meets the requirements for migratory bird hunting regulations in many regions, while still offering sufficient rounds for multiple targets or follow-up shots in upland game scenarios or on the clays course.

The Legacy of Remington Reliability: A Trustworthy Companion

When you choose a Remington 11-87 Sportsman, you're not just buying a shotgun; you're investing in a legacy of American firearms manufacturing excellence. For decades, Remington has been at the forefront of shotgun innovation, and the 11-87 series continues that tradition of building dependable, hardworking firearms. This model is renowned for its:

• Robust Construction: Built to withstand the harsh environments of hunting and intense shooting schedules. Every component is designed for longevity and consistent performance.
• Ease of Maintenance: Disassembly for cleaning is straightforward, ensuring that your shotgun remains in top condition with minimal effort, even after a muddy day in the field.
• Proven Design: The 11-87 builds upon the legendary 1100 platform, incorporating enhancements for improved reliability and versatility, cementing its place as a trusted tool for serious shooters.

Optimized for Diverse Shooting Disciplines

Let's explore how the Remington 11-87 Sportsman excels across various shooting disciplines, making it an incredibly versatile option:

• Waterfowl Hunting (Ducks, Geese): The 12-gauge chambering, combined with its ability to reliably cycle 3-inch magnum steel loads, makes it an excellent choice for duck and goose hunting. The matte finish helps with concealment in blinds, and the gas system's recoil reduction is a significant benefit when shooting heavy loads over a long day.
• Upland Game Hunting (Pheasant, Quail, Grouse): Its balanced 28-inch barrel promotes quick, intuitive swings on fast-flushing birds. The semi-automatic action allows for rapid follow-up shots on multiple flushes, and the comfortable recoil ensures you can carry and shoot it all day without fatigue.
• Turkey Hunting: While often specialized, the 11-87 Sportsman, with the addition of appropriate choke tubes and specialized turkey loads, can be an effective turkey gun. Its reliable action and comfortable shooting make it a viable option for this demanding pursuit.
• Clay Target Shooting (Trap, Skeet, Sporting Clays): For recreational or competitive clay shooting, the 11-87 Sportsman truly shines.
  • Trap Shooting: The 28-inch barrel provides the necessary swing characteristics for trap, and the gas system minimizes recoil, allowing shooters to comfortably handle hundreds of rounds in a session.
  • Skeet Shooting: Its quick handling and rapid cycling are well-suited for the dynamic shots encountered in skeet.
  • Sporting Clays: The versatility to switch between 2 ¾-inch and 3-inch loads, combined with interchangeable choke tubes, makes it adaptable to the diverse presentations of a sporting clays course.

Accessorizing and Customization Potential

While the Remington 11-87 Sportsman 12 Gauge is a highly capable firearm right out of the box, its design allows for practical customization to further enhance its utility for specific needs.

• Choke Tubes: Most 11-87 Sportsman models come with a set of interchangeable Rem Choke tubes (typically Modified, Full, and Improved Cylinder). These allow you to adjust shot pattern density, making your shotgun more effective for different types of game, distances, and shooting disciplines. Understanding and utilizing choke tubes is fundamental to maximizing your shotgun's performance.
• Sling Swivels: The synthetic stock and forend are often molded with provisions for sling swivels, allowing for easy attachment of a carrying sling, which is invaluable for long treks in the field.
• Aftermarket Support: As a widely popular model, the 11-87 benefits from a robust aftermarket, providing options for specialized barrels (e.g., rifled slug barrels for deer hunting, shorter home defense barrels), magazine extensions (where legal and appropriate for non-hunting applications), and various stock modifications.

The Remington 11-87 Sportsman 12 Gauge with its 28-inch barrel and durable matte finishes (SKU 29879) represents a pinnacle of semi-automatic shotgun design. It embodies the characteristics most desired by shooters: reliability, reduced recoil, exceptional versatility, and rugged durability. It's a firearm that grows with you, adapting to new challenges and continuously delivering a satisfying and effective shooting experience. For anyone seeking a single shotgun that can confidently tackle waterfowl and upland birds, excel at clay target games, and offer the robust performance expected from a legendary American manufacturer, the 11-87 Sportsman is an outstanding choice. It's a testament to Remington’s enduring commitment to quality and innovation, ensuring that every time you shoulder this shotgun, you feel the confidence of a proven design. Discover this classic workhorse and explore its full potential at DEGuns.

Remington 11-87 Sportsman 12 Gauge Specifications

Feature	Detail	Model/SKU
Model	11-87 Sportsman	29879
Gauge	12 Gauge
Action	Gas-Operated Semi-Automatic
Chamber	3" (Accepts 2-3/4" and 3" Shells)
Barrel Length	28 inches
Capacity	4+1 Rounds
Finish (Barrel/Rec.)	Matte Blued
Finish (Stock/Forend)	Matte Black Synthetic
Hand	Right Hand
Sights	Vent Rib with Bead Sight
Choke System	Rem Choke (Interchangeable)
Primary Use	Hunting, Sport Shooting
Availibility	DEGuns

Remington 11-87 Sportsman Key Benefits

Benefit	Description
Reduced Recoil	Gas-operated system significantly tames recoil, improving comfort and follow-up shots.
Exceptional Versatility	Handles various 12-gauge loads (2-3/4" & 3") and excels across diverse shooting disciplines.
Rugged Durability	Built with robust materials and finishes to withstand harsh outdoor conditions and extensive use.
Reliable Performance	Proven design ensures consistent and dependable cycling, shot after shot.
Optimal Handling	28-inch barrel provides excellent balance, swing, and effective range for a wide array of targets.
Low Maintenance	Designed for easy field stripping and cleaning, ensuring longevity and peak performance.