20 gauge barrels

[wgungho]

I recently purchased a Remington 1100 20LT chambered for 2 3/4" shells. I have seen 3" chambered barrels for sale, and wondered if they would interchange with my 2 3/4" barrel. Is the chamber the only difference, or is the action also different between the 2 3/4" and 3" guns?
Thanks
Tom

[oneounceload]

the difference in ammo would suggest not doing that

[BarkeyVA]

Several years ago, I bought a replacement barrel with 3 choke tubes chambered for 3" shells for my older fixed choke Ithaca Model 37 pump gun. The barrel was interchangeable but the receiver on my gun will not accommodate 3" shells. The replacement barrel for your 1100 may be interchangeable on your gun, but I suggest you check with the factory first before buying it.

[wgungho]

As far as I can tell, the receiver is the same for the 2 3/4" and 3" guns. There may be a different, stronger recoil spring in the 3" guns. The spring is pretty much a maintenance item, like the O rings, so it would present no problem. Just looking for a definitive answer before I spend $150.

[mnrivrat]

On the 1100 the barrel is the only difference (assuming LT to LT as they made a standard and a LWT)

The barrel extension on the these 1100's incorperate the ejector for the 3" shell so should be no problem. I have done this a number of times with the 12ga. guns. The Sportsman came with a 2&3/4" chambered barrel, and 3" chambered barrels fit and function just fine. No difference in the action spring - the three inch chambered barrels are set up with only one gas port to balance the higher pressure loads with the gun. "Magnum" on the receiver basicaly just means it came out with a 3" barrel on it - no receiver parts are different.

[Virginian]

From where you posted this on the other board:
The receiver dimensions are identical. The situation is exactly the same as in the 12 gauge: i.e. the only two parts that are different are the barrel and the action bar sleeve. The barrel has one port and the 3" chamber, and the action bar sleeve is larger/heavier.
However, unlike the 12 gauge, Remington does sell the 20 gauge Magnum action bar sleeve. So, you buy one of those, and find a 3" LT20 barrel, and you would appear to be all set.
Remington sells a 3" 'steel shot' barrel for 2-3/4" 12 gauge 1100s, that is exactly like their regular 3" barrels. They say don't use anything but steel, and if it doesn't cycle properly on the gun, they tell you to drill out the port, which I had to do. I have since used my 3" barrel on my 2-3/4" 1100 with everything made in 12 gauge 3" with no ill effects. I suspect the same would be true with the LT-20.
I have a 3" LT-20, and bought 2-3/4" skeet and 2-3/4" Full choke barrels for it, which Remington fully endorses, and it functions perfectly with everything I have tried in all 3 barrels. So, if you get the heavier action bar sleeve, you should not have to be swapping it around, anyway.
Just trying to point out all the possible options. I am of the opinion that the 2-3/4" and 3" set-ups are pretty well "balanced". I am not sure that a lighter sleeve doesn't slam the receiver a little harder with 3" shells, and I am also not sure that the heavier sleeve doesn't slam the receiver a little harder when being moved by 2 gas ports. But, I have no evidence that if either is happening that it is enough of a difference to be harmful.
I grew up along the Chesapeake a half century ago. Tell her I miss her.