Converting a Remington 1100 Magnum to cycle 2 3/4"

[1KPerDay]

How-do,

Sorry if this is a repost. I have a very nice 1100 Magnum (3") that I love and shoot well with, but not well enough that I never need a second shot. I rarely hunt and mostly bust clays (informally), but I either have to use Express loads (and even then they only cycle about half the time) or cycle manually after each shot. I'd like to convert it to reliably cycle 2 3/4" target loads (and 2 3/4" express for my once-every-6-years Pheasant hunt). Is this even possible? If so, is it cost effective? My frugal nature dictates that any solution be somewhere between cheap and free. :D

Also: I've occasionally noticed on some shells that the rim actually partially separates from the rest of the case... like it's blown apart right at the edge of the rim.. Makes me nervous, but someone told me it's not a big deal. Extractor problem? Some weird thing due to partial ejection? Truly no big deal?

[byf43]

I too, have a Remington 1100 Magnum. Mine, however, is a freak of nature. Since day 1, it has been able to cycle anything, interchangeably. 3", 2-3/4" heavy or target loads. . . one right behind the other.

Now, with that said, you can change the barrel to a 'standard' (2-3/4" chamber) and you will have the best of both worlds, OR, you could have a reputable gunsmith drill a second hole (under the barrel, inside the barrel band) for the venting of more gas, to cycle the action.
Be advised, though. IF you go the second vent hole route, and IF you shoot 3" magnums through that scattergun, you COULD do damage to the firearm.

For me. . . . 'cause I didn't like carrying a 30" tube around while hunting pheasant, squirrel, rabbit, etc., I bought a Hastings 24" choke tube barrel for 2-3/4" shells. (I love that little barrel. It is fantastic.)

I hope this answered your questions.

Keith

[1KPerDay]

you can change the barrel to a 'standard' (2-3/4" chamber) and you will have the best of both worlds,
Thanks, Keith. Is it really just the barrel that's the difference between the 2? I was pretty sure the gas piston or the rings or whatever were different between the 3" Magnum and dedicated 2 3/4" guns. Hmmm... if it's really the barrel, I could certainly look for one.....

[byf43]

I've had my 1100 Magnum since 1983.
Other than the barrel, the only difference that I am aware of is the recoil pad comes 'standard' on the Magnum.
NO difference in the gas system, other than the vent holes in the barrel.

From what I understand, the whole reason for 'creating' the 11-87 is to have a compensating gas system to allow shooting 2-3/4" and 3" shells in the shotgun. (Very little difference between the 1100 and 11-87.)

You might be able to pick up a good barrel from eBay. I usually will buy from either Hastings (for a field barrel) or, I'll go right back to Remington and get a new barrel for about the same money. This way, I'm still 100% factory.

I still prefer my beautiful old 1100 Magnum to anything else that I have. (I'm up to about 8 scatterguns, now. And climbing!) :)


Keith

[Bigreno]

Before you go spending a lot of money, break the gun down and make sure everything is clean to start with. I inherited an 1100 a while back that was having similar problems. Would cycle sometimes and not cycle others. Turned out to be nothing more than the o-ring seal was shot. Replaced it and everything seems to be working fine with field loads.

I did however run into a glitch with some light weight reloads that my father-in-law threw together for his O/U. They just didn't have enough gumption to cycle the action.

[1KPerDay]

I inherited an 1100 a while back that was having similar problems. Would cycle sometimes and not cycle others. Turned out to be nothing more than the o-ring seal was shot. Replaced it and everything seems to be working fine with field loads.


Was it an 1100 Magnum or the standard 1100? I've looked at the o-ring and it seems fine... and I keep it very clean. Maybe I'll buy a new O-ring just for kicks. I might be able to get a 2 3/4" barrel on eBay or something like byf43 said...Thanks for the input, fellers. :cool:

[9mmMike]

I have an 1100 Magnum as well and I only needed a 2 3/4" chambered barrel to convert it. The seals and rings are the same as non-magnums.
Runs like a freight train.
Mike