[68caliberkiller]

First of all, I'm a long time reader of this site, first time posting. Lots of helpful info!

I'm making a HD out of my Remington 1100 12 ga. I'm keeping the original barrels original for hunting and just received a 30"x3" chambered barrel. If I cut the barrel to match the 3 shot mag extender I'll end up w/ a 19" barrel. I have not cut it yet but will very soon.

Anybody shooting 3" mag buck with a short barrel? Is significant muzzle flash?
I've seen alot of threads on preferences of HD loads and I hate to stir it up. My current mag set up holds seven 2 3/4" shells or seven 3" shells. That extra 1/4" holds alot of pellets. Seems I'd prefer more firepower if given the option...but I'd hate to lose my night vision in a situation.

[RevolvingGarbage]

Magnum rounds have significantly more kick and the result on the business end wont be any appreciable amount better. 9 00 buckshot hitting the right places at HD ranges = dead. They wont get any deader from an extra 5-6 pellets.

Ive only fired 3"ers in daylight, so im not sure about muzzle flash, but the extra recoil alone is enough for me to recommend that you stick to 2.75" shells. (assuming equally reliable function with both).

[50caliber123]

A fun way to bruise your shoulder. I used to shoot 12 Gauge 3" Buckshot, but I don't like to punish myself that bad. Even 2 3/4" short magnums are intense, but 3" only makes sense for hunting. Experience has taught me that for HD, standard loads allow for faster follow-up shots.

[Fred Fuller]

Iffin' you chop that much off a 30" 1100 Magnum barrel, you're likely to have bigger problems than muzzle flash. Like, the gun not running.

1100s are gas guns, gas guns depend on gas pressure curves to run, gas pressure curves depend on the dwell time of the gas backed up behind the shot charge still in the barrel to run. Once the shot charge exits the muzzle, the gas pressure curve drops off quickly.

Factory 1100 slug barrels are 21". There's a reason for that. Were I you, I'd be investigating gas port numbers and sizes in that Magnum 1100 barrel, and asking questions of people who had experience pruning 1100 barrels before I took a hacksaw to mine.

YMMV of course...

lpl

[chas08]

Also Remington advises againt shooting 3 inch magnum lead in a 2 3/4" reciever. If that is what you have.

[68caliberkiller]

I've only seen what the local sports shops carry, are there non-magnum 3" shells?

What I've found from previous threads was a couple of folks with 19" barrels without porting the gas and the gun functioning fine. Factory shortest barrel was 21" other than the 1100tac. 19" would be flush with mag tube but I'm thinking 20" would look good.

There was member here, badgerarms who did a 1100 chop to 18.75 this year but I haven't seen any follow up on shooting/function tests.

[chas08]

are there non-magnum 3" shells?
In lead shot or Buckshot, I'm not aware of any. Another point to ponder is; Do the shorter barrels have one or two gas ports? I have a standard 2 3/4" 1100 that the original barrel has two gas ports. During the off season I purchased a factory steel shot barrel that only has one port. It also has a 3" chamber but is recomended for 3" steel only, and not lead in the non-magnum reciever. It will run ammo down to 3 dram equiv - 1 oz of shot. I know from limited research that port diameters vary from barrel to barrel depending on the barrels designed purpose. I wonder if there is an optimum port diameter for your purpose. This info has got to be out there somewhere. Or you could take the Machinist's approach and cut it, try it, and drill it the next drill size (probably a number drill) if it don't work, until it does work. Just remember; a little = a lot in this area.

[RSVP2RIP]

I'd say go for it, hope for the best, but don't be dissapointed if it does not work. I would buy a 21" barrel and get a 4 shot extension, but if investing that much, you are better off getting a 11-87 Police built right from the factory.

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

2 3/4" is more than adequate for home defense, stop reading gun forums so much. I also recommend not messing with the barrel, especially on a gas gun.

[68caliberkiller]

of my 3 barrels between 2 3/4 and 3 all have only one port each.
I'm modifying this gun b/c I already own it and barrels are relitively cheap.
Bought the 3" mag barrel because it was available and works with my gun.
I can always shoot 2 3/4" through it and have and option of 3", I might need to shoot through 3 walls to nail the perps :D joking! I'm imagining the sheetrock and siding repairs already. Whats the penetration of buck through sheetrock, insulation, osb and hardie? :) However I don't plan on missing.
Barrel is now 20", much easier around the stairs.
I'll run 3 and 2.75 ammo through it this weekend see what she and my shoulder like.

[chas08]

I'll run 3 and 2.75 ammo through it this weekend see what she and my shoulder like.
Let us know how it runs, good or bad.

[dfariswheel]

Whats the penetration of buck through sheetrock, insulation, osb and hardie?

Virtually any bird shot, buck shot, or slug will sail right through almost any interior wall.

About the only walls that will stop a shotgun load are exterior brick or block walls.
For penetration information, look over the famed "Box of Truth" site.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/

One thing to keep in mind about Magnum shells.
In shotguns, "Magnum" doesn't mean "more power" like in rifles and pistols.
They really aren't more "powerful" they just contain more shot. The extra powder is to keep the heavier load of shots velocity up with the non-Magnum shells.
The more shot, the heavier the recoil.
The heavier the recoil, the SLOWER the gun is to use, especially for follow up shots on other targets.