I just picked up a nice 11-87 at Crystal Coast Pawn in Morehead City. It says it's a lite weight barrel and I have been searching for info on exactly what that means to me as a user. Obviously it can shoot the entire range of shell lengths from 2 3/4 to 3"mags, but exactly what does it mean as far as the use goes.

Is it lighter for better swing on skeet and upland game birds?

If anyone has a pdf copy of the 1999 catalog I'd love to read about this shotgun. Called Remington and had them look up the mfg date of Nov 1999.

There are two or three 5" long cracks in the finish running along the grain of the wood near the top left side of the forend. Closer inspection shows no weakness in the wood under it. As well there is a ½" crack midway along the left top side of the forend... Remington (ilion) said they wouldn't replace it, and in fact couldn't replace it as they no longer make the high gloss checkered forends. Seems like someone in the custom shop could likely make this like new... but at what cost?

I don't believe there is any way to repair this that wouldn't leave it looking worse than it does now. If anyone knows a way... please respond. You may email me direct at shoot@ccskeet.com

Normally for skeet and game birds a heavier barrel is desired as it swings better than a light one.

That said the Light Contour barrel is Remington's way of reducing weight by making the barrel thickness as minimal as possible and still be safe. In a longer barreled gun (26-30+") this should still have enough weight out front to make it swing nicely.

Not sure on the stock/forend. If you cannot find an OEM replacement anywhere I know Boyds makes a nice stock and forend (http://www.boydsgunstocks.com/searchm.htm?type=merged&searcht=remington+1187)

Thanks Mike,

The heavier barrel seems contrary to the concept of using O/U shotguns with shorter barrels. None the less it swings nicely enough for me. Although it is longer and heavier than my Stoeger Condor O/U. I bought a couple shotguns to have in case people show up with full chokd barrels. Had one fella do this, and he insisted on shooting his gun... missed every target.

My biggest problem has been stopping my swing. Concentration is required for me to do this... and I'm finally hitting more targets on Station 3, 4 & 5 now that I'm more into the groove.

My forend is quite functional, so not going to replace it with an ugly one. For the most part it seems just fine.

Thanks again for your input

Dave

Welcome to the Remington Owners Forum Dave !!

The early RemChoke barrels were quite a bit heavier than the old fixed choke barrels, and what they did to the handling on the early 11-87s got the model off to a bad start and doomed Remington's plans to have the 11-87 replace the 1100. They quickly lightened the RemChoke barrels, and then later added the TC/LC barrels which were lighter still. I feel the TC/LC barrels closely mimic the feel of the older fixed choke barrels, because while they are slightly lighter overall, the weight distribution is a bit more forward.
Remember, if a barrel doesn't SAY Light Contour or Target Contour, with the admonition not to modify, it isn't one. The admonition refers to overboring because the barrel is thinner.