Barrel for Remington Shotgun

[kwando]

I currently have a Reminton 1187 that i mainly use for trap/bird hunting. I've been thinking about getting a 21" barrel for it and use it as a home defense shotgun.

What kind of barrel should look for? rifled? Choked?

Thanks in advance.

[Colorado Osprey]

I have an 11-87 with a 21" rifled barrel with rifle sites. It was purchased to hunt elk in a non-rifle area. It is not for sale I just thought I would pass on some information.

The barrel you want will primarily depend on what ammo you plan to shoot.
I wanted to shoot slugs so I got the rifled barrel; but most common slugs are designed to self spin and are not recommended for rifled barrels.

If I had to do it again I would get a non-rifled barrel in 21" with the rifle sites.
If you plan to use a red-dot optic you can also get it with a cantalever rail instead of sites.

Choke is not important. (Better to not have one) In defensive shooting a choke with large shot like #2 and larger under 20 yards can actually open the pattern up.

One more point of advise....practice with the loads you plan to use to ensure reliability.

I recently decided to pop off some old ammo at the holloween pumpkin. The 3" slugs worked fine, but my older #2 and #4, 3" turkey rounds were failing to fully cycle the gun. They worked in the 28" barrel years ago, but it could be because they were so old.

In the ranges that would be inside the house 2 3/4" loads are plenty big. You don't need 3" shells.

BTW....one shot with the Federal Hi-Shock slug (shaped like an hour glass) dropped this elk at 45 yards with a boiler room shot. These are no longer produced but were devesting. If I wanted one of the best slugs now I would look at the Remington Copper Solid.

[kwando]

thanks for the great thorough reply. Wonder what the special purpose barrels are.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=&id=0005760212138a&navCount=1&podId=0005760&parentId=&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XH&rid=&parentType=&indexId=cat602739

[Colorado Osprey]

The SP (Special purpose) is a finish like what is found on the Police models...and is also available in camo. The SPS (Special Purpose Synthetic) has a black synthetic stock as well.
It is a dull black matte non-reflective finish like what is now on the SPS model rifles.

I have 2 11-87's, one is a premier and the other is a black SPS. My 21" barrel is a SP barrel.

It will look awkward mounted on a glossy finish rifle.

It would be the equivalent of the current Sportsman model.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_11-87/model_11-87_sportsman.asp

[kwando]

that is the exact shotgun that i have... the sportsman version.

[Colorado Osprey]

The sportsman Deer rifle would what it would look like with the 21" barrel.

The Deer rifle has a Monte Carlo stock to raise your cheek to the scope better though.
http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_11-87/model_11-87_sportsman_deer.asp