Remington 11 questions

[deanobanion]

Good afternoon all:
I just signed up, and more importantly I just bought a Remington 11 from the Cabelas used gun rack. It was in really nice shape, and in 12 ga., so if I found shells that wouldn't work in the Rem 11, I can always use them in my 870. I got a good deal, $280, the gun is in real nice shape, with a nice walnut stock and good bluing. It's one of those guns that's been well used but also well loved and taken care of. I didn't get a chance to take it apart, but looking into the reciever nothing was broken or rusty. The thing was, I don't have a pistol permit, so the stupid law requires me to pick it up in 14 days.(Don't even get me started!) I would like to know a little about this gun, and as soon as I get it I will run the serial # to Remington to find out when it was made. Does anybody have any tips/stories/useful info about this gun? It is my first auto-shotgun, and I'm especially in the dark about the friction rings...how do I know which loads are too heavy and which are too light? How do I adjust the rings?

Thank's in advance for any ino you guys might come up with.

Take Care,
Mack

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by deanobanion

Good afternoon all:
I just signed up, and more importantly I just bought a Remington 11 from the Cabelas used gun rack. It was in really nice shape, and in 12 ga., so if I found shells that wouldn't work in the Rem 11, I can always use them in my 870. I got a good deal, $280, the gun is in real nice shape, with a nice walnut stock and good bluing. It's one of those guns that's been well used but also well loved and taken care of. I didn't get a chance to take it apart, but looking into the reciever nothing was broken or rusty. The thing was, I don't have a pistol permit, so the stupid law requires me to pick it up in 14 days.(Don't even get me started!) I would like to know a little about this gun, and as soon as I get it I will run the serial # to Remington to find out when it was made. Does anybody have any tips/stories/useful info about this gun? It is my first auto-shotgun, and I'm especially in the dark about the friction rings...how do I know which loads are too heavy and which are too light? How do I adjust the rings?

Thank's in advance for any ino you guys might come up with.

Take Care,
Mack

Is it a 11 or 11-87?

Remington Model 11

Is it like this one?

DSC08234.JPG

DSC08235.JPG

[deanobanion]

Yes, It is exactly like that. I'm positive that it's a Rem 11. I'm a big fan of the classics, and actually I chose this gun over an 1100 for that very reason!!! I'm not sure if it's the sportsman's 3-shot model or not, but it's definately a 12 ga. 11.

Take Care,
Mack

[jerry]

The model 11 was built by Remington on the Browning design, AKA Browing A-5

I'd have to look at a manual about the friction rings. The A-5 we have in the family only gets trap loads shot in it out of respect for it's age.

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by deanobanion

Yes, It is exactly like that. I'm positive that it's a Rem 11. I'm a big fan of the classics, and actually I chose this gun over an 1100 for that very reason!!! I'm not sure if it's the sportsman's 3-shot model or not, but it's definately a 12 ga. 11.

Take Care,
Mack

that's my grandpa's shotgun. He bought it about 1920 or so.

[Asphalt Cowboy]

Originally Posted by deanobanion

Yes, It is exactly like that. I'm positive that it's a Rem 11. I'm a big fan of the classics, and actually I chose this gun over an 1100 for that very reason!!! I'm not sure if it's the sportsman's 3-shot model or not, but it's definately a 12 ga. 11.

Take Care,
Mack

Like you I enjoy the old classics, I own four 11's. Two are 11A five shot, one is a 11A Sportsman and the fourth is an 11F Premier, unfired, in the box with all paperwork to include the hang tag, she's the one and only safe queen I have.

If it's a Sportsman 3 shot and still has the original bolt, the bolt will have "The Sportsman" stamped into it. The forearm will also be retained by a screw rather than the usual mag cap, the head will be a smaller diameter that a mag cap.

When you go to Cabela's to pick it up ask them to have one of their smiths inspect the recoil cushion if it hasn't been already. If there's any chance that this gun has been reblued the recoil cushion would have been destroyed and should have been replaced. (just a safety note)

As for the recoil friction system. First and foremost, keep the mag tube and friction peice, that's the bronze one with the steel band, clean with just the lightest coat of quality gun oil on them. The friction ring is the steel one which is outside bevel on one side with an inside bevel on the other. For light loads you will need to place it between the recoil spring and the receiver face with the outside bevel side toward the spring. For heavy loads place it between the forward end of the spring and the friction peice with the inside bevel to the friction peice. In either position the ouside bevel always goes to the spring. I also considered it good practice to place the friction ring in the heavy load position after a day of shooting light loads, no need in risking battering the action should you forget to switch it for heavy loads.

I shoot the livin' snot out of the three I use, and haven't had any issues. I'm fairly sure you're gonna' enjoy yours.

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by Asphalt Cowboy

Like you I enjoy the old classics, I own four 11's. Two are 11A five shot, one is a 11A Sportsman and the fourth is an 11F Premier, unfired, in the box with all paperwork to include the hang tag, she's the one and only safe queen I have.

If it's a Sportsman 3 shot and still has the original bolt, the bolt will have "The Sportsman" stamped into it. The forearm will also be retained by a screw rather than the usual mag cap, the head will be a smaller diameter that a mag cap.

When you go to Cabela's to pick it up ask them to have one of their smiths inspect the recoil cushion if it hasn't been already. If there's any chance that this gun has been reblued the recoil cushion would have been destroyed and should have been replaced. (just a safety note)

As for the recoil friction system. First and foremost, keep the mag tube and friction peice, that's the bronze one with the steel band, clean with just the lightest coat of quality gun oil on them. The friction ring is the steel one which is outside bevel on one side with an inside bevel on the other. For light loads you will need to place it between the recoil spring and the receiver face with the outside bevel side toward the spring. For heavy loads place it between the forward end of the spring and the friction peice with the inside bevel to the friction peice. In either position the ouside bevel always goes to the spring. I also considered it good practice to place the friction ring in the heavy load position after a day of shooting light loads, no need in risking battering the action should you forget to switch it for heavy loads.

I shoot the livin' snot out of the three I use, and haven't had any issues. I'm fairly sure you're gonna' enjoy yours.

Yup. Three generations of McKee's would likely agree. After that monumental event, they would argue until the milk man came.

[Asphalt Cowboy]

I gotta' admit Mitch, I got lucky with two of mine. My grand uncle gave me the 11F and one of the five shot 11A's The F he bought 'cause it sure looked purdy, the other was less fortunate.
Bub made the mistake of loaning it to his BIL and then had to drive from Kansas to Kalifornia seven years later to retrieve it. By then Dick had let it rust to the point it looked like c--p. Bub then entrusted it to a jaik-laig smith to re-blue it. Screw holes were funneled, sharp edges weren't sharp and the rear of the receiver had a crack 'cause the cushion was no longer there. Thanks to Bob, God rest his soul, the crack has been properly welded and the receiver re-heat treated, and it's now back in the field after a good polish, blue and a new cushion intalled.
Sure it was a lot of money to repair, but it's sure a joy to use for roosters.

[deanobanion]

Mitch: Thank you for the link to that other information, it's pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I didn't notice the link earlier, but I clicked on it just now, and it's good stuff!

Cowboy: Thanks for the friction adjustment instructions. I half expected it to be some complicated thing involving diffeent scre tightnesses. Also, thanks for the heads up about the recoil pad, I'll definately ask the guy at Cabelas to check it out.

Would you guys reccomend any duck hunting with this gun? I've heard about autoloaders jamming with reeds, chaff, and mud in the blinds, so I also have an 870. If I could use the 11 for ducks, though, it would be nice.

Thanks for your help, I'm liking this forum already. I'll give you guys a heads up when I actually get the gun in hand and let you know how it goes.

Take Care,
Mack

By the way, Mitch, it looks like your grandpa used that gun a lot! I didn't see much bluing left, but I can tell it was well taken care of. It reminds me...my own grandfather gave me a Lee Enfeild No.4 Mk.1 when I was a kid, one of the ones marked U.S. Property (made by U.S. for Britain at the height of WW2) the stock is pretty beat up, and the gun had definately seen battle, but the bore is one of the shiniest I've ever seen. I'll have to post something about it under "Rifles", and I still have it. He got it out of a Sears Roebuck mail-order catalog shortly after the war for $12.

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by deanobanion

Mitch: Thank you for the link to that other information, it's pretty much exactly what I was looking for. I didn't notice the link earlier, but I clicked on it just now, and it's good stuff!

Cowboy: Thanks for the friction adjustment instructions. I half expected it to be some complicated thing involving diffeent scre tightnesses. Also, thanks for the heads up about the recoil pad, I'll definately ask the guy at Cabelas to check it out.

Would you guys reccomend any duck hunting with this gun? I've heard about autoloaders jamming with reeds, chaff, and mud in the blinds, so I also have an 870. If I could use the 11 for ducks, though, it would be nice.

Thanks for your help, I'm liking this forum already. I'll give you guys a heads up when I actually get the gun in hand and let you know how it goes.

Take Care,
Mack

By the way, Mitch, it looks like your grandpa used that gun a lot! I didn't see much bluing left, but I can tell it was well taken care of. It reminds me...my own grandfather gave me a Lee Enfeild No.4 Mk.1 when I was a kid, one of the ones marked U.S. Property (made by U.S. for Britain at the height of WW2) the stock is pretty beat up, and the gun had definately seen battle, but the bore is one of the shiniest I've ever seen. I'll have to post something about it under "Rifles", and I still have it. He got it out of a Sears Roebuck mail-order catalog shortly after the war for $12.

Sure was used alot. It's lost 75% of it's blue but still works fine. It's now retired to rare and occasional use.

[Asphalt Cowboy]

If you plan to use Bismuth loads, I don't see why you shouldn't hunt waterfowl. As for steel shot, unless you plan to have choke tubes installed and use one that's steel compatible, I would strongly recommend against it. Steel shot can play pure hobb with those old bores. I once saw an old pre war 870 where the full choke barrel had even split at the choke.
Them old 11's will stand up to more crud in them than most folks think. Show it the same consideration you would any other gun in the blind and it should be fine. Just tune her up post season and a light oiling pre season.

[deanobanion]

Thanks for the tips, Cowboy. I would have probably used steel shot in it, actually, if it wasn't for your warning. The heads up is much appreciated. Have you had any experience with the new Remington HD alloy (I think it's bismuth based)? It's god-awful expensive, but it looks like good stuff. I think it's like 40 bucks a box, so it better be good!

[Asphalt Cowboy]

Other than to hear of it in passing, nothing on the HD. I bought two extra barrels to use with mine and had tubes installed, plus I keep an extra pair of steel tubes on hand for the day when one bulges. If you go the route I did, use the extended tubes with the choke past the end of the barrel. Some of the older style ones fit nearly flush and had part of the choke within the threaded area, when they eventually bulged the tube would seize in the barrel. Not something you want to try to remove yourself.

[DANA]

My favorite shotgun is a 20 Ga Sportsman with a English stock. Have 3 12 Ga and 2 20 Ga Sportsman. Got some Browning A5's also.

DANA

[Asphalt Cowboy]

Originally Posted by DANA

My favorite shotgun is a 20 Ga Sportsman with a English stock. Have 3 12 Ga and 2 20 Ga Sportsman. Got some Browning A5's also.

DANA

Man, you make me jealous, I'd give my left,,, well,, err,, ummmm.. Anyway I realllly want a 20 bore Sportsman. Just the ticket for a day huntin' dove.

[deanobanion]

Again, thanks for the helpful relies, guys. Does anybody have a chart or list that displays the grade denominations with the features, i.e. 11A, 11F, etc? Mine has checkering on the pistol grip and I think the forearm, too, as well as having a duck scene ingraved on the left side of the reciever.

Take Care,
Mack

[Kodiak32]

Welcome to G & G deanobanion,

Here's a link for a Owners manual,
Firearm Owner's Manuals


Here's a link on some history about it,
The Arms Room: Remington Model 11: A very belligerent fowling piece.

This link has the grades and ser# info,
Firearm Model History - Remington Model 11

Manufactor Date Codes,
Remington Society of America

Sounds like a great shotgun.

[deanobanion]

Thanks a million, Kodiak!

[deanobanion]

Picked up the gun today, took it to the range for skeet and everything runs fine. The long barrel and modified choke made it less than ideal for skeet, of course, but it still did pretty well/ No jams, and when set to the correct recoil settings, the kick was marginally higher than a .22. Overall, very pleased with the gun. It turned out to be a three-shot sportsman model after all, and it points very naturally, I will try it out for trap next time, and it'll probably work perfect for that. I will definately use it on pheasant this season, maybe duck. Overall very pleased with my purchase. I'll try and post some pics later.

-Mack

[Kodiak32]

Great news, glad to hear you finally got it home.

Sounds like a great shotgun with alot of history, it's a keeper!