I'm new to shotgunning, and was fortunate to have a new 11-87 gifted to me. As I am generally mechanically minded, I quickly opened the box, and assembled it. When I when to cycle the action, I noticed that it would not close all the way. (about an inch or so open), This puzzled me for a moment, so I took the barrel off again, and looked around, only to find what I now know to be the gas cylinder collar. Now this is the embarassing part..... I removed it completely, and found the action to cycle perfectly. I chalked it up to a part that was to prevent damage during transport, and set it back into the box. Later that day I was to go skeet shooting (Sporting Clays), and I took it along, and ran ~100 rounds through it. Actually had it FTE one time, but didn't think too much of it.
After having to box it up and put it back under the tree (in-laws "rule") and, as my curiosity grew, I checked out the exploded view of the gun, and found that it was actually supposed to be installed.
Now, on to my question.... Once I get the gun out from under the tree, I'll figure out how to properly install that part, but I'm really worried that I've done some damage, by shooting it with out the gas cylinder collar installed at all.
Anyone have any clues one way or the other?
I hate to admit this.....
