Good evening, SF. Once again, I'm here asking for shotgun help.

I took the old 11-87 out of the safe on Friday and found that the operating handle is gone. I don't have a clue where it is, or when it came off. "It was there the last time I used it!"

So now I'm trying to find a) the part, and b) guidance on how to replace it.

I believe I've found the part (item #63 on the diagram at Numrich). Seventeen bucks? Not bad.

But looking at the diagram, I wonder if I need any other parts? I don't know how this handle is attached -- I don't see fasteners in the diagram.

Thank you all for your help.

It's held in with a spring-loaded ball detent inside the bolt carrier that interfaces with a cutout on the body of the handle. You just insert the charging handle in the slot in the side of the bolt, and push it in until it clicks into place. No other parts needed.

Cool. Thank you very much!

That's a weird part to lose!

I am missing my extended XFull choke from mine. Took it out to pattern for turkey season on Saturday and couldn't find it. I have others that will work, though.

This was the first gun I ever owned... a Christmas gift from my parents at 13 or 14 yo. I haven't shot it in many years as my collection has grown, but it worked like a champ with 4 3" magnum #5's.

quote:

Originally posted by YellowJacket:
That's a weird part to lose!

Yeah, man!

Now that I've got guidance from RogueJSK on how it goes back, I'm trying to figure out how it came out to begin with. Maybe got knocked in transit? I need to go dump my case and see if it's in there before I go ordering a new one.

Always something to learn!

I'm glad Rogue came through for you!

I love my Remington 11-87

And I found my X-Full choke! It was in my turkey hunting vest.

I actually have two 11-87s, as I have my grandfather's as well. Mine is original Mossy Oak Bottomland with a 21" barrel with rifled sights. Papa's is also a Special Purpose but wood/matte with a 26" vent rib barrel.

They really are solid, underrated guns.

https://www.gggaz.com/remingto...charging-handle.html

Could also go with a tactical larger knob. Since we are helping you spend money and all.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
I'm glad Rogue came through for you!

I love my Remington 11-87

SF always comes through for me, one member or another.

I really like this old gun. I think it's the last one I bought from my favorite local shop, not long before the owner died. (I miss that fella, for sure.) Best we could tell, it's about 30-35 years old. It was on consignment in his shop. I asked about it, not having had an auto before. He said, "well, it probably needs new seals, but other than that it's in good shape." I asked how to replace the seals. He reached under the counter, pulled out a set of seals, and proceeded to do the job right there. I couldn't not buy it at that point.

A fellow I respect a lot gives me a hard time about my 11-87. "Sounds like a car crash going off beside me when it's fired!" I've never known anything different, so it has never bugged me. I shot my brother's Benelli Super Black Eagle last weekend, and now I understand the comparison much better. Doesn't stop me from really liking this one, though, and this old gun cost me WAY less than that SBE.

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:
Since we are helping you spend money and all.

You're a peach, man.

Honestly, I do kinda like that one....

Well, friends, this was the easiest gun-related repair I've ever made. The darned thing just pops into place.. It's that darned easy.

That probably explains how it was so easily lost, too. Dangit.

I'll drop another $17 at Numrich sometime and get another to have on hand. (Or maybe $36 on that one ElToro pointed out...)

My guess is that the one lost wasn’t fully seated. I’d keep some extra O-rings and a gas ring handy as that is the most likely part to cause problems.

quote:

Originally posted by dking271:
My guess is that the one lost wasn’t fully seated.

That's a fair guess, I figure. But I've had and used this gun for a few years now. The original had been in there just fine until... um... sometime between December and last weekend. By the ease with which the new one went in, I figure it simply got knocked out or got hung up in the case I've carried the gun in. Darn shame it's not still in the case!

quote:

Originally posted by dking271:
extra O-rings and a gas ring

Got 'em already. Thank you!

I recall many years back, Ithacas 51 Auto was known for the charging handle coming out. Probably a similar assembly.

quote:

Originally posted by David Lee:
I recall many years back, Ithacas 51 Auto was known for the charging handle coming out. Probably a similar assembly.

Yes some 51s had that problem. If the thing comes out on the 11-87 (without looking it up), my guess would be 1) worn out detent cutout in the thingy itself, but prob not unless you've been popping it in and out regularly, which is not the case here, or 2) you may need a new spring and/or plunger that engages the thingy's detent. Numrich is good people, very reliable outfit. If it's cheap enough would prob be a good idea to replace all three parts, other things being equal. Done and done.

quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by dking271:
My guess is that the one lost wasn’t fully seated.

That's a fair guess, I figure. But I've had and used this gun for a few years now. The original had been in there just fine until... um... sometime between December and last weekend. By the ease with which the new one went in, I figure it simply got knocked out or got hung up in the case I've carried the gun in. Darn shame it's not still in the case!

quote:

Originally posted by dking271:
extra O-rings and a gas ring

Got 'em already. Thank you!

The 11-87 is a good gun, very high round count durability, fits everyone (men). I know a guy who only shoots an 11-87 extensively for clays and for Doves. When his gas cylinder unwelded itself from the barrel after some bazillionteen rounds, he whacked the barrel on a tree and bought another 11-87, exactly like his old one, and kept on shooting. He hits everything at any distance, a serious good shooter. He used to shoot regularly with Sporting Clays Master Class competitors, with VERY expensive target guns. He hit everything they did, all with his 11-87. Beware the one-gun man.

I really like my old 11-87, y'all. It's not exotic, but it's good looking. It's got bumps and scratches ("character," right?) and it's heavy, but mechanically it's been rock solid reliable.

I've still got a lot of learning to do regarding its internals, but it keeps on chugging along which mean's I'm not forced to learn it yet.

I'll grab a new detent spring and plunger on my next Numrich visit. Seeing how simple the mounting interface is and how cool that knob that ElToro pointed out is, I'm tempted to design and make one on my own.

It's either the 11100 or the 11-87 that needs some new o-ring or related parts that are considered consumable, and should be replaced after some amount of use or after just sitting for a long time. Recommend you find out what those parts are and add them to your next order. It should be very cheap insurance for a reliable gun.

And... if you want more reliability, lightly lubricate the action rail(s) and surfaces the bolt and bolt sled ride on. I see lots of dry semi-auto shotguns on the trap range, with guys messing with them while jamming up, with the only reason is they're taking them out of the closet and shooting them completely dry. Don't be one of those guys. But yea the 11-87 is a nice gun, good balance, good swing, good reliability, solid design and track record.

Can do, sir!

No grease. Just light spray oil of any choice. Please skip the WD40. Spray can of Rem Oil (ptfe) or TriFlow, both would work great. I'm sure there are others but I'd stick with synthetics.

Rem Oil is a staple in my kit... I'm not sure there's any WD40 anywhere in the house!