It Worked
My11-87P left-side shell latch was previously replaced by a gunsmith. This 2nd latch became loose after I removed a side-saddle. I understand removing side-saddles is a common cause of shell latches coming loose. My 1st try seemed good, with a lot of fiddling about as to how to steady the shotgun, hold the tool, and hit the tool with a ball-peen hammer. Using the forward trigger mechanism pin to position the shell latch is a must. Also, ensure the forward end of the latch is tucked between the receiver and the mag tube. Unfortunately, I must have doing something exactly right on reassembly and when I took the trigger assembly out (again), the shell latch was loose again. On my 2nd try, things went faster and I found totally removing the stock helped balance the shotgun on my workbench while using a roll of duct-tape as an armorer's block. I staked about three out of the six stake points and found the latch secure enough to reassemble the 11-87P with ease, this time. Note, it is possible, with a lot of fiddling, to reassemble the 11-87P with an unstaked latch, but it's difficult and probably not ideal. Although the tool was a bit costlier than the now-Brownell's-discontinued tool, which used threaded bolts to position and stake the latches, I think this tool is likely easier and faster to position. When my 11-87P had its shell latch replaced, it took about $100 and a month in the shop. This tool paid for itself with the time & money of being able to do it myself. I really liked how the tool came with a special clamp to help hold the shell latch in place. This clamp was not shown in the website's photos.
