Remington 11-87 Super Magnum 12 Ga. question

[Doc Lisenby]

I have a subject gun brought in by an owner who took the barrel out to determine why it wasn't ejecting or feeding.
I thought it was different from other 11-87s I had worked on and noticed that there was no gas cylinder collar.  I wrote Brownells and asked them about it and they told me the stock number of the the gas collar. (ho hum)
I received the collar but when I tried to install it the composite forearm had raised ribs where the gas collar should fit which prevented its installation.
Does anyone know if there shouldn't be a collar in this shotgun or does this gun require a special gas collar?
Thanks for any information which could help me out.

[Doc Lisenby]

Just found the answer to my question.  When all else fails, read the instructions.  I thought one of you have had this problem and could give me a quickie answer, but the dove season is in and I suppose most of you are out getting your limit.(sic)
It seems that the Super Magnum has an extra part and is absent another part.  There is no gas collar but there is a barrel seal activator for use with 2 3/4" shells.  She still won't shoot light loads though, which I suspect that this owner tried to shoot.
Thanks for not replying.  I got an answer from Brownell's but it was incorrect and only gave me a stock number (I guess he thought I couldn't read the catalog.)  I know I should have put in for that gunsmith job they offered, but I would waste time giving customers researched answers.  Maybe he knew that I was too dumb to have one of the owner's manuals on hand for every firearm I service (even tho' that is impossible but certainly advisable.)  Damn these new guns! I have outlived simple guns like the Win Mod 12 (even tho' they have their little quirks).
I should have asked this in the gunsmith forum anyway.
Doc

[Graybeard]

Yup the gunsmithing forum would have been the best place to post it. I almost suggested that to you since I had no clue how to answer you myself but then I thought someone on this one might know so didn't. I've never owned a SUPER magnum and likely never will. Heck my shoulder don't even like my 20 gauge O/U with factory target loads so I reload 3/4 oz loads for it.

[james]

I've only shot 3 or 3.5 in shells in my super mag.  I can't remember how the recoil rings are positioned but I read somewhere they don't function reliably with anything lighter than 1 1/8 oz. loads.  I only use it for ducks and turkeys and use a lighter gun for doves.

[Doc Lisenby]

Yeah, GB, I'm con usted on the lighter guns.  I get a headache just sighting in magnum rifles.  But I would have to put up with the magnum shotguns if I went for turkeys, geese and ducks.
I too old to sit in a blind anymore and I remember how cold geese and duck hunting was.  The bismuth and iron shot, etc. just about require bigger shells with a lot of kick.  I appreciate your comment James.
Doc