This is my take on a tactical conversion. After a few hiccups I now finally have my 1187 running 100% reliable with 24g and 28g birdshot and also the hotter buck and slug loads(mainly home loaded)
To recap, this was a wrecker, given to me by a shooting friend who could not get it to cycle at all.
After sorting the broken parts (barrel anti rotation lug, right handed carrier in a lefty gun and general deep cleaning of rust, crud ,carbon debris, unburnt powder, grease etc. etc., I moved on to functioning and upgrading for IPSC use
Detailed elsewhere, I modified the gas sealing with a 2.4mm gas ring.
I upgraded the extractor spring with a stainless steel metric part from China! (10 for about $1.50)
I initially fitted a DMW speed ramp, but changed to a smooth and rounded stainless steel curved plate attached to the original action release button. I believe the mass of the DMW unit was contributing to occasional fails to cycle. Also, without the "Fangs" of the DMW I no longer get bitten when speed loading. A little easing of the loading port and rear of the fore end smooths out the loading process.
The mag tube was extended using a short Remington extension mated to an old Savage tube with a sleeve over the join. I settled on 11 + 1 capacity as the mag tube "looks" the right length as well as functioning 100% with a new long Nordic spring and Hi-Vis low friction follower. An aluminium ring, grub screw locked to the tube with a nylon U piece above, stabilises the extension and prevents rotation.
An angled fore end grip mounted on an underside piccatinny rail gives great control.
A "match saver" was fashioned from a Prodec cartridge belt clip.
A bobbin type charging handle was fitted.
I fitted a synthetic Monte Carlo stock, to which was added a forward finger groove extension (both found cheaply on an auction site) An elastic fabric spare round holder slips over the stock.
As the gun is a lefty and some parts are just not available, I modified, with a slot for the charging handle, an 870 saddle mount and rail so as to be able to fit a Shield dot and ring optic sight.
To be able to shoot in "Auto class" I made and fitted a fibre optic front sight and ghost ring to the rib.
I fabricated an ambidextrous rotating safety catch (down for Safe, forward for Fire) which has the advantage of interfering with the trigger finger on either side when Safe so eliminating the "Doh it won't fire, oops I left the safety on moments"
This gun is a joy to shoot, very controllable and now totally reliable. Although it is a lefty, as a right hander I find it easier to load as if I run dry it is a quarter rotate to the right to throw one in the breech, then, as I prefer to load with my left hand, a touch further rotation exposes the gate for load two or quad loads. I normally stick with load two for reliability and accurate loading (I can load the dirt with the best of them!!) Additionally, to stroke the match saver round in is simplicity itself using the left hand while retaining control in the shoulder.
I do not ever have a problem with cases ejecting across my line of sight as many people seem to think should happen. This gun throws the empties well clear.
I am very happy with this gun, some have called it a Frankengun, but raised from the dead, Frankengun Lives!
- 1187fg (2).JPG (99.44 KiB) Viewed 7322 times
- 1187fg (5).JPG (182.72 KiB) Viewed 7322 times