87 lever action shotguns and Chinese clone

maarty · February 23, 2011, 03:59:38 AM

These are legal but don't seem very common. I've never used one but I'm wondering why they don't seem popular.
Is it the speed of loading or some other reason?

Thanks

Pancho Peacemaker · February 23, 2011, 07:19:27 AM

Quote from: maarty on February 23, 2011, 03:59:38 AM
These are legal but don't seem very common. I've never used one but I'm wondering why they don't seem popular.
Is it the speed of loading or some other reason?

Thanks

1) There is a perception that the '87 is not as "fast" as a SxS or a '97. The '87 can be as competitive as other shotguns, but it does require ALOT more practice and effort to get it "fast".

2) Out of the box, the IAC '87 can have some problems. Most folks who use '87's have them tweaked by a good gunsmith to function reliably.

3) Original '87's are black-powder only. They are also very high dollar collector items.

Do a google search for "Coyote Cap". He is one of the better known gunsmiths working on the '87. He worked closely with the Chinese to get the '87 reproduction up and running. His web site has lots of info on the IAC '87.

WaddWatsonEllis · February 23, 2011, 10:22:52 AM

Hello,

I have a Cap Coyote Model 87 that I actually prefer over SXS shotguns ....

http://coyotecap.com/

One thing about them ... the lever must be levered with enthusiasm in order for spent shells to exit the action properly ....

maarty · February 23, 2011, 05:18:30 PM

Quote from: Pancho Peacemaker on February 23, 2011, 07:19:27 AM
1) There is a perception that the '87 is not as "fast" as a SxS or a '97. The '87 can be as competitive as other shotguns, but it does require ALOT more practice and effort to get it "fast".

2) Out of the box, the IAC '87 can have some problems. Most folks who use '87's have them tweaked by a good gunsmith to function reliably.

3) Original '87's are black-powder only. They are also very high dollar collector items.

Do a google search for "Coyote Cap". He is one of the better known gunsmiths working on the '87. He worked closely with the Chinese to get the '87 reproduction up and running. His web site has lots of info on the IAC '87.

Thanks for that.
I don't mind loading black powder, specially for the shotgun. I love looking like I just opened the gates of hell when I pull the trigger.

TheOtherLeft · November 12, 2013, 03:46:38 PM

Here in Australia '87 are very rare in SASS. From what I've seen they are slower then SxS (cycling the action and reloading etc) and very prone to jams. Not many of the local gunsmiths can solve the extraction problems.

People buy them for a bit fun and/or pig hunting.

Rowdy Fulcher · November 12, 2013, 04:48:54 PM

Howdy
I think the short barreled 87 would be fun to bird hunt with ( Quail ) , has anyone tried them Quail hunting ?

litl rooster · November 16, 2013, 07:00:13 AM

Quote from: Rowdy Fulcher on November 12, 2013, 04:48:54 PM
Howdy
I think the short barreled 87 would be fun to bird hunt with ( Quail ) , has anyone tried them Quail hunting ?

I have seen 2 quail in the wild in the past 15 years. I agree though it would be fun but so would any on my twice pipes

Quote
Quote from: Pancho Peacemaker on February 23, 2011, 07:19:27 AM
1) There is a perception that the '87 is not as "fast" as a SxS or a '97. The '87 can be as competitive as other shotguns, but it does require ALOT more practice and effort to get it "fast".

2) Out of the box, the IAC '87 can have some problems. Most folks who use '87's have them tweaked by a good gunsmith to function reliably.

3) Original '87's are black-powder only. They are also very high dollar collector items.

Do a google search for "Coyote Cap". He is one of the better known gunsmiths working on the '87. He worked closely with the Chinese to get the '87 reproduction up and running. His web site has lots of info on the IAC '87.

Make yourself dummy rounds if you go with one of these and practice.

Quote from: WaddWatsonEllis on February 23, 2011, 10:22:52 AM
Hello,

One thing about them ... the lever must be levered with enthusiasm in order for spent shells to exit the action properly ....

I think any of us who use them could't express this enough. It is also true with a pump shotgun and or rifle.

will52100 · December 17, 2013, 07:51:37 AM

I've got one of Cap's early ones, got the cast frame and it was a display gun at Shot Show. Cap worked it over and it's slick as snot and fast as lighting. If it's slower than a SXS, it's a mater of fractions of a second for the string of 4-8 shots.

WaddWatsonEllis · December 17, 2013, 09:05:31 AM

Hi,

One of the few things my father drilled into me (as a lifetime maintenance officer) was to buy the best tools that you know of ...

That is why I have a Cap Coyote '87 and a Codymatic '73.

My main issue is that if I fire the Codymatic first, it is so slick that I tend to attempt ( and that is the correct word) to use the '87 the same way ... and it is a given that an expended shell will go vertical but not out ... ending up vertical halfway in the chamber.

Then, as I stare stupidly at the gun, I realize it is an 87 clone and not a 73 clone ... then I use 'alacrity' ( a less kind man might have used the word slammed) with the lever, and my problem just seems to fade.

TTFN,