M1887 Gun in Free Fire — Damage, Stats, One Tap Tips & Skins Overview
The M1887 is the hardest-hitting weapon in Free Fire. With 100 base damage per shell — the highest of any weapon in the game, including snipers — a single well-placed headshot at close range eliminates enemies instantly. No other ground-loot weapon comes close to this one-shot kill potential.
But the M1887 is the definition of high-risk, high-reward. You get exactly 2 shells per magazine. Miss both and you’re stuck in a 2-second reload animation while the enemy shreds you. There are zero attachment slots — no scope, no muzzle, no magazine, no foregrip. You can’t fix the gun’s weaknesses with loot. The only way to modify M1887’s stats is through gun skins, making skin selection more important for this weapon than any other in Free Fire.
The M1887 is a lever-action double-barrel shotgun that fires SG Ammo. It’s available as ground loot on every map and is commonly found in houses, supply crates, and building loot spawns. Despite being classified as “Common” rarity in some listings, it sits firmly in S-Tier and is the go-to close-range weapon in Clash Squad and ranked play.
M1887 Stats Breakdown
Every stat on the M1887 screams one thing: get close, fire once, end the fight.
Damage: 100 — The highest per-shot damage of any weapon in Free Fire. Higher than the AWM (90), higher than every AR, SMG, and pistol. With a 2.0x headshot multiplier, a close-range headshot delivers 200 damage — enough to one-shot any unarmored enemy and severely damage even fully armored ones. At point-blank range, even a body shot deals enough to down most enemies in 1-2 shells.
Rate of Fire: 34 — Slow. The lever-action mechanism means there’s a noticeable delay between your first and second shot. You can fire both shells in quick succession, but if both miss, the fight is over for you. This is why the one-tap headshot technique is essential — you want the fight to end on the first shell.
Range: 16 — Extremely short. The M1887 is a pure close-quarters weapon. Beyond 10-12 meters, damage drops off dramatically as shotgun pellets spread out and miss the target. You need to be in the enemy’s face for the M1887 to work. This is the most range-limited primary weapon in Free Fire.
Accuracy: 12 — The lowest accuracy of any weapon in the game. Shotguns fire pellet spreads, not single bullets, so accuracy works differently here. At point-blank range (under 5 meters), most pellets will hit regardless. At 10+ meters, the spread means many pellets miss entirely. This is why closing distance before firing is non-negotiable.
Reload Speed: 76 — Actually quite fast for a shotgun. The M1887’s reload takes roughly 1.5-2 seconds — faster than most ARs. This is important because with only 2 shells, you’ll be reloading constantly. The fast reload partially compensates for the tiny magazine.
Magazine: 2 shells — The smallest magazine of any primary weapon in Free Fire. Two shots. That’s it. If you don’t kill the enemy in those two shots, you’re reloading while they spray you. This stat is what makes the M1887 the highest-skill-ceiling weapon in the game.
Movement Speed: 60 — Decent for a primary weapon. You’re not as fast as with an SMG (65) but not sluggish either. The M1887 supports an aggressive rush playstyle where you sprint into range, fire, and either kill or retreat to reload.
Armor Penetration: 0 — No base armor penetration. Against Level 3 vests, body shots deal significantly reduced damage. This is why headshots are critical — headshot damage bypasses much of the armor calculation at the M1887’s damage level.
M1887 Attachments — There Are None
The M1887 accepts zero attachments. No scope, no muzzle, no magazine, no foregrip, no stock. Nothing.
This makes the M1887 unique among every weapon in Free Fire. While other guns can be improved with loot, the M1887 is what it is the moment you pick it up. The only way to modify its stats is through gun skins — which is why skin selection is more important for the M1887 than for any other weapon in the game.
When evaluating M1887 skins, prioritize damage and rate of fire boosts. These amplify the gun’s core strength (one-shot kills) and reduce the penalty for missing (faster follow-up shot). Reload speed boosts are also valuable since you’ll be reloading after every 2 shots.
Best Character Pairings
With zero attachment customization, character abilities carry even more weight on the M1887 than on other weapons.
Tatsuya (Rebel Rush) — The #1 pick for M1887 in 2026. Tatsuya’s instant forward dash lets you close distance to point-blank range, fire one devastating shell, then dash back to safety. Two dash charges mean you can engage and disengage twice. This movement ability is exactly what the M1887 needs — a way to get into kill range without sprinting in the open.
Hayato (Bushido) — Increases armor penetration as your HP drops. In a close-range shotgun fight where both players take damage, Hayato ensures your second shell punches through the enemy’s vest more effectively. This directly counters the M1887’s 0 base armor pen in clutch low-HP situations.
Alok (Drop the Beat) — Heals 5 HP per second and boosts movement speed by 10%. Both are critical for M1887 users: healing lets you survive the close-range trades that shotgun fights always create, and the speed boost helps you close the distance into M1887’s effective range.
Jota (Sustained Raids) — Recovers HP on kills. Since the M1887 is designed for quick eliminations, Jota immediately heals you after each kill — keeping you alive for the next fight. Essential in Clash Squad where rounds are fast and sequential.
Kelly (Dash) — Sprint speed increase helps you rush into M1887 range faster. The Awakened version adds extra damage on the first shot after sprinting — which synergizes perfectly with a weapon where the first shot is everything.
M1887 vs Other Shotguns
M1887 vs M1014: The M1887 has higher burst damage (100 vs 94) and faster movement speed. The M1014 has a 6-round magazine compared to M1887’s 2 — far more forgiving if you miss. M1887 wins the 1v1 with superior one-shot potential. M1014 wins the 1v3 because you can keep shooting without reloading. Skilled solo players pick M1887; squad players who fight groups pick M1014.
M1887 vs MAG-7: The MAG-7 has an 8-round magazine (the largest among shotguns) and decent range, but lower damage at 84. It’s far more forgiving — if you miss, you have 7 more shots. M1887’s advantage is one-shot kill potential that the MAG-7 simply can’t match. M1887 for players with confident aim; MAG-7 for players who want consistency.
M1887 vs SPAS12: The SPAS12 deals 97 damage (close to M1887) with a 5-round magazine. It’s a middle ground between M1887’s burst power and M1014’s sustained fire. The M1887 still wins in pure one-shot scenarios, but the SPAS12 is more forgiving with three extra shells.
M1887 vs MP40: Different weapon categories, but they compete for the same role — close-range dominance. Many pro players carry both: M1887 for the opening one-shot, then weapon-switch to MP40 to finish if the shotgun doesn’t get the kill. M1887 opens, MP40 cleans up.
Best M1887 Skins
Skins are the only stat modification available for the M1887. This makes skin choice a gameplay decision, not just cosmetic.
Sterling Conqueror (Evo Skin) — The strongest M1887 skin in Free Fire. At max level, it boosts damage and rate of fire massively with a minor reload speed reduction. The Evo passive at Level 6 enhances close-range damage, pushing the already-insane 100 base damage even higher. This is the ultimate M1887 for players who invest in the Evo system.
Rapper Underworld — The most popular non-Evo M1887 skin. Doubles rate of fire and boosts reload speed. The faster fire rate lets you pump both shells quicker, and the reload speed buff minimizes your vulnerable reload window. Accuracy decreases slightly, which is negligible at point-blank range. The dark clown-face aesthetic is iconic.
Tropical Parrot — Boosts damage significantly with a range reduction tradeoff. The extra damage makes headshot one-taps even more guaranteed against armored enemies. The range reduction matters less because you should be at point-blank anyway. Best skin for pure headshot damage.
One Punch Man — Collaboration skin that boosts damage and reload speed with an accuracy reduction. The name fits the playstyle — one shot, one kill. The accuracy demerit actually helps with headshots because wider pellet spread means more pellets naturally hit the head hitbox.
Hand of Hope — Skeleton-themed skin with double reload speed boost and accuracy increase. The reload speed buff is the biggest draw — making the M1887’s 2-second reload window noticeably faster. Best for players who frequently fire both shells and need to reload quickly.
Golden Glare — Gold-themed skin with double rate of fire and range boost. The range increase is unusual for M1887 skins and extends your effective kill distance by a few meters. The fire rate lets you dump both shells faster.
How to Use M1887 — Advanced Tips
The One-Tap Flick Headshot
This is the most important M1887 technique and what separates average players from lobby dominators. Start with your crosshair aimed at the enemy’s chest/shoulder level. When you enter point-blank range, execute a fast explosive flick upward to the head and fire simultaneously. Unlike the MP40’s smooth drag headshot, the M1887 requires a violent, instant flick — one sharp movement, one shell, one kill.
The M1887’s pellet spread actually helps here. Because the shotgun fires multiple pellets, even a slightly imperfect flick will send some pellets into the head hitbox. Practice this daily on Training Ground moving targets for at least 15-20 minutes.
The Shoot-Gloo-Reload Technique
This is the M1887’s signature advanced technique. Fire both shells at the enemy. Immediately place a Gloo Wall in front of you. Reload behind the wall (takes about 1.5-2 seconds). Peek from the side and fire again. This loop lets you fight extended engagements despite the 2-shell magazine. It requires fast reflexes and a supply of Gloo Wall grenades, but mastering it makes the M1887 viable even in squad fights where 2 shells aren’t enough.
Jump-Shot Technique
Jump while firing to make your hitbox unpredictable. The M1887’s damage is high enough that even a partial hit during a jump-shot deals massive damage. Jump around corners, jump over Gloo Walls, jump while peeking — the M1887 rewards aggressive airborne play because a single connected shot does catastrophic damage.
Never Fight at Mid-Range
The M1887’s 16 range and 12 accuracy make it useless past 12 meters. If an enemy is at mid-range, switch to your AR or SMG immediately. The M1887’s job is to delete enemies at point-blank — not to contest ranged fights. Close the gap using cover, Gloo Walls, or Tatsuya’s dash before pulling the M1887 out.
Two-Shell Decision Making
Before engaging, ask yourself: can I guarantee one of these two shells hits? If the answer is uncertain — the enemy is moving fast, there’s too much distance, or multiple enemies are watching — don’t fire. Switch weapons. The M1887 punishes wasted shells more than any other weapon because you only get two before a reload. Patience wins more M1887 fights than aggression.
Skin Matters More Than Any Other Weapon
Because M1887 has zero attachment slots, your gun skin is your only stat modification. Always equip a skin with damage or rate of fire boosts. An M1887 without a skin and an M1887 with Sterling Conqueror Evo are functionally different weapons. Treat skin selection as your attachment build.
Best Weapon Pairings
The M1887 covers 0-10 meters. Your secondary covers everything else.
M1887 + Groza — The strongest combo in the current meta. Groza covers 15-50 meters with S-Tier damage and accuracy. M1887 instantly deletes anyone who gets within 10 meters. Zero gaps in your engagement distance coverage.
M1887 + MP40 — Double close-range aggression. Open with M1887 for the one-shot attempt, weapon-switch to MP40 if they survive. The MP40’s 83 fire rate finishes what the M1887 started. This combo dominates Clash Squad and building fights.
M1887 + AK47 — AK47 covers mid-range (15-50 meters) with high damage. M1887 handles point-blank. A reliable combo that works with common ground loot — you don’t need an airdrop for either weapon.
M1887 + AWM — The maximum-range combo. AWM deletes enemies at 50+ meters. M1887 deletes enemies at 0-10 meters. The 10-50 meter gap is covered by positioning and game sense rather than firepower. Only for experienced players with disciplined weapon-switching.
When to Use — and When to Replace — the M1887
Pick up M1887 when: You’re playing Clash Squad (close-range maps and short rounds). You’re an aggressive player who pushes buildings and fights inside compounds. You have strong flick headshot mechanics. You want the highest possible burst damage for opening fights.
Replace M1887 when: You’re in open-field late-game with no Gloo Walls left — the M1887 is useless without cover to close distance. If you consistently miss both shells and die while reloading — swap to MAG-7 or M1014 for a more forgiving shotgun until your aim improves.
Never replace M1887 with: The SPAS12 (lower damage, no meaningful advantage). Only swap to M1014 or MAG-7 if you genuinely need the extra magazine capacity for multi-enemy fights.
M1887 Trivia
The M1887 in Free Fire is based on the real-world Winchester Model 1887, designed by legendary firearms engineer John Browning. It was the first successful lever-action shotgun ever made, manufactured by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company starting in 1887. The weapon gained pop culture fame through Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic one-handed spin-cock reload in Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).
In Free Fire, the M1887 originally had a 5-round magazine when it was first introduced, but Garena reduced it to 2 rounds because the weapon was considered too powerful. The M1887 was also the first shotgun to receive an Evo skin (Sterling Conqueror). Despite the tiny magazine, it has never left S-Tier in any meta update due to its unmatched one-shot headshot potential — the highest burst damage of any ground-loot weapon in Free Fire history.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is M1887 damage in Free Fire?
M1887 deals 100 base damage per shell — the highest of any weapon in Free Fire. With a 2.0x headshot multiplier, a close-range headshot delivers 200 damage, enough to one-shot most enemies.
Is M1887 the best shotgun in Free Fire?
Yes. M1887 is rated S-Tier and is the best shotgun in Free Fire due to its unmatched one-shot kill potential. The only downside is the 2-shell magazine, which demands precise aim.
Does M1887 have any attachments?
No. M1887 accepts zero attachments — no scope, no muzzle, no magazine, no foregrip. Gun skins are the only way to modify its stats, making skin selection critical.
Which is better M1887 or M1014?
M1887 has higher burst damage (100 vs 94) and one-shot headshot potential. M1014 has a 6-round magazine that’s more forgiving. M1887 wins 1v1 fights; M1014 is better against multiple enemies. Pick M1887 for solo skill, M1014 for squad safety.
What is the best M1887 skin in Free Fire?
Sterling Conqueror (Evo) is the strongest with massive damage and rate of fire boosts. Rapper Underworld is the best non-Evo with double rate of fire and reload speed.
Which character is best with M1887?
Tatsuya is the #1 pick — his forward dash gets you into point-blank range instantly. Hayato adds armor penetration at low HP. Alok heals and speeds you up for shotgun rushes.
How to one-tap headshot with M1887?
Aim at chest level, execute a fast upward flick to the head and fire simultaneously. The pellet spread means even a slightly imperfect flick sends pellets into the head hitbox. Practice 15-20 minutes daily on Training Ground moving targets.