Remington 1100 price check/opinions

[Imlikeaninja]

I've been shopping around for a used semi auto 12gauge. It's main use will be for clay shooting. I've narrowed it down to the remington 1100 or a beretta 390/391.

The other day in a local shop I came across a Rem 1100 that was in great shape cosmetically for $500. The only reason I didn't jump on it was that it had a polychoke installed. At the time I didn't know anything about them and now that I've done some research I'm on the fence. From what I've read online people either love or hate them. I'd rather have a regular 28"vent barrel w interchangeable chokes. But buying a new barrel for this gun is over my budget.

Basically I'd love to ear some opinions on them and wether or not $500 is a good price. The salesman was trying to convince me that the polychoke alone is worth $200 and that it was a steal at that price. Do you guys think this accessory adds or detracts from the value? My feeling is that usually aftermarket modification takes away from the value of something. Especially since I don't know if it came from the factory like that or was installed by some bubba in his garage.

Also are polychokes easily removable without damaging the gun? Are they welded on or do they just screw in like a regular choke?

 

[1KPerDay]

Price is a bit high, IMO. Remington 1100s aren't exactly rare. No, I wouldn't buy one with a polychoke. Try $350.

 

[X-Rap]

I would pass and would look for one with a factory barrel for $300-350. Factory choke tubes might be hard to find in an 1100 but the newer 11-87 should be fairly available and I think they are capable of shooting 2 3/4 and 3" shells in the magnum variation.

 

[rsrocket1]

Price is a bit high, IMO. Remington 1100s aren't exactly rare. No, I wouldn't buy one with a polychoke. Try $350.

That's a perfect price. In fact that is what I paid a few years ago for an ancient 1100 with an IC and vent ribbed barrel and many, many shells through it. I think it still has the original gasket. The gun shoots great and I have a ton of fun shooting skeet every week and trap here and there. I bought a set of new gaskets (I think it was $5 for 5), but I want to see how long this one will last just for fun). I think I've been averaging about 2500 rounds/year and this gun just keeps on going.

 

[Virginian]

I would not buy any gun with a PolyChoke unless it was cheap enough I wouldn't feel put out buying another barrel and selling the old one on fleabay. That gun is WAY overpriced with a Poly. Polys reduce the value, they do not add to it. Yes, some people love them, but they are in the distinct minority. I hate them. I do love 1100s. You can get good choke tubes installed for $100, so look for a nice used one with a fixed vent rib barrel.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Used gun prices vary from region to region. Around here that's about $150 on the high side, especially with a Polychoke.

 

[b.thomas]

Polychoke detracts from the value, about $150-200 bucks worth.
Now that's been said......some folks really like them. Myself, even thought I had a cutt's put on a 1148 years back I wouldn't have a poly as a gift.
Just don't like a big blob on the end of my shotgun barrel.

 

[Imlikeaninja]

Thanks guys.Thats what I thought. I am in New York City and prices defiantly seem a bit jacked up compared to what you guys are finding in other parts of the country. Used 1100's are a pretty hard to find and used Berettas are virtually nonexistent. The prices I've been seeing are $500-$600 on 1100's in decent shape and I have to drive 45mins to an hr to find a gunshop with a decent selection. 95% of the 12 gauges for sale here are configured for home defense or tacticool.

 

[Imlikeaninja]

Ok so after visiting or calling every gun shop in NYC,Nassau, suffolk and westchester county over the last 2 months this is what I was able to find.

1.Remington 1100 with a 26" vent rib barrel with polychoke (looks to be factory installed) for $425

2. Remington 1100 Skeet B with a 28" vent rib mod choke barrel $575

Do these prices seem fair ish and is the skeet B worth the extra $150?

These are pretty much my only options for an 1100 in this area and its pretty frustrating so plz help me decide.

 

[X-Rap]

I'd pass on the 1100's until I could find one cheaper or search online and have one shipped to a local FFL. I'm usually opposed to doing that but that is because I've not found guns online that were cheaper than local after shipping and other fees but in your case it may well cost less.

 

[rule303]

Poly chokes turn nice old shotguns into cheap truck guns. $250 or so. I would not give my business to a shop that tried to convince me that a poly-choke adds value. They probably gave the guy who traded it in about $100, and told him how much it detracts from the price.

 

[Imlikeaninja]

I'm about ready to just say f it and get a new mossberg 500 for about $280 from Dicks and call it a day.

Did I mention I've been looking for about 2 months now and have been to every gun shop in a hour and a half radius.

 

[AnthonyRSS]

Have you tried Gunbroker? I've looked off and on for a decent 1100 for some time now and they aren't particularly common for a decent price.

 

[IdahoSkies]

I bought my 1187 (not one of the new ones off the wal mart racks for $500.00. I would expect a model 1100 to come in about that as well. An Auto is going to run you about in that range.

 

[oneounceload]

For clay shooting, you will want the longest barrels you can get. On the Berettas, that is 30 or 32. If all you can get is a 1100, get one with 28"barrels, the swing dynamics are much better for clay targets.

If it is a used one, plan on getting some spare parts. Since you have no idea how much it has been used, a new recoil spring should be on the list, a new O-ring or three, firing pin retention spring is another. Those were what I replaced after using my 28 gauge 1100 for a lot of shooting. Wolff makes great springs, a good viton O-ring form an auto supply house will work

 

[jogar80]

I'd get that 28" barrel skeet model. I like 1100's a lot, I think thet are great guns. $575 is just a tad high, but maybe you can talk them down to $500 even?

 

[oneounceload]

^^ Remember WHERE he is located - NYC area - he isn't going to get one for cheap like he might in FL, PA, or similar places

 

[Imlikeaninja]

Thanks for all the input guys. I think I'm going to go for the $425 poly choke one.

 

[Imlikeaninja]

I ended up with an 1100 classic trap 30" target contour barrel with screw in chokes. Came with 1 mid handicap choke( not sure what that translates to). It's in excellent condition and I shot my best 2 rounds of trap with it yesterday 19/25 and 20/25. So I'm pretty happy.

Paid a little more than I wanted to $550 the guy wouldn't budge. But prices around here are always a little higher than everywhere else in the country.

 

[oneounceload]

MUCH better choice than a short barrel with a polychoke, ESPECIALLY for clay targets

You can mail order some chokes from Briley if needed

 

[1KPerDay]

Good choice.