old school Remington autoloaders

I've got a 20-ga Remington Sportsman 48B. As long as I clean it regularly it runs fine. Fits like a glove, came with 2 barrels, and (as long as I do my part) destroys targets. I let it get too dirty once and it started short-cycling during a Geezer Squad Friday morning round of Chinese out at PGC. After he stopped laughing at me, McCracken wagged his finger in my face and admonished me for neglecting her.... and offered to take her off my hands, cheap......

The old long recoil shotguns still work fine, better than some of the gas powered guns that replaced them IMO. They are more picky with loads, and will need the friction rings set according to the load you are using. They also cycle slower, are limited to 2.75" shells, and in most cases have fixed chokes that are not steel shot capable. I would have no qualms using one for clays or upland hunting. Personally, I would rather shoot a 48 series than an 1100, but I like to be different. I'm trying hard to resist the urge to buy an 11-48 28ga.

Here's my 1148 sbs, All 2 3/4" loads function flawlessly

My 11-48s in 20 gauge and .410 run great, hard to beat for a cheap semi skeet gun.

I don't shoot any of the models you mentioned, but I do use both a 1927 Model 11 and a late 60s 1100. Both work well.

I particularly like the 11 as a woods gun. It's a bit long and a lot heavy, but I don't have to worry about marring the finish, since it doesn't have one anymore. It does have limitations, compared to modern guns. It has to be manually adjusted between light and heavy loads. The choke is fixed, rather than interchangeable. It shouldn't use steel shot, and can't use long shells. It weighs 9.5-10 lbs, instead of 7. It's fairly easy to stay within those limits, though, since steel sucks and magnum shells are a waste of effort in most cases. I like duck, but in small doses, so I don't buy waterfowl ammo by the case. For the little bit I shoot, Hevi-Shot is just fine, and works better than steel anyhow. The recoil rings are simple to adjust, if you know what you're doing. If you don't, I'm not sure you need to be playing with autoloaders at all. If you're bright enough to run it, it runs.

The 1100 is a different story. It's a good deal finickier than the 11. It likes to be clean, and it likes ammo that it likes. It can't be adjusted between loads, like the 11. However, it will cycle with anything from full power target loads on up, (featherlights need not apply.) It just cycles harder than necessary with really hot ammo. I've never had the dreaded O-ring problem, but I keep a few on hand just in case. I'm apparently the only 1100 user who can say that, and I can't stay lucky forever. The 1100 is a shade lighter than the 11, and is probably the softest shooting 12 on the planet. Mine wears a Limbsaver, laughably enough, so you can barely feel it fire. The 11 shoots softer than a fixed breech, but not as soft as a gas gun, and few gas guns are as soft as the 1100.

Modern guns are lighter, have choke tubes, are steel shot safe, and have variable valving in the gas system to automatically adjust for different loads. Gas guns are still finicky about cleanliness. Modern recoil operated guns, like Benellis, are obnoxious to shoot, but reliable.

In my opinion, what gun you pick has a lot to do with what you're picking it for.

Carry a lot and shoot a little, like upland hunting? I'll take a light SxS. Light and fast handling, recoil won't matter over just a few shots.

Carry a lot and shoot a lot? A modern gas gun, like a Beretta 390, Browning Gold or Maxus, or the Winchester SXWhatever. Light weight and soak up recoil.

Carry a little and shoot a lot? This is where I'll go old school. The big heavy old autos are great here. Personally, I pick the 11 for hunting from a stand or blind, and the 1100 for clay targets.

Tactical gun games, like 3 gun? Most people are going to the Benellis, if the can afford them. I'd probably use the 1100 to give it a try. I've shot one of those "inertia driven," Benellis, and I'd frankly rather shoot a pump.

Crap. I just re-read your post, and caught the budget level bit. I don't know much about those guns.

I'll just say that the old, long recoil guns are hard to beat, if you know how to adjust them. I'd far rather have a nice* A5 or Model 11 than some plastic and parkerized Wal-Mart special, but then I'm funny that way.

* Or even my Model 11, which may have been nice 80 years ago, hasn't been able to get by on her looks in some time. She has to work for a living.

Remington model 11 and a 550-1 22 S,L,LR

Theres an old 11-48 at the local shop for $225. 16 gauge... should I take a crack at it? I had a 16 gauge sxs for a while and had no issue with finding shells etc. Thought I was going to collect them for a while then found something else.

HB

HB, if I were closer, I would be all over that 16 ga like a duck after a june bug!

I use two 11-48 small gauges for skeet, one in .410 and one in 28-gauge, For me, these guns are as good as if not better than the 1100 for that sport.

A three gunner and his money area soon parted, that's for sure.

Sent from my C771 using Tapatalk 2

Thanks, I picked up the 1148 at a gun shop for $200 out the door and after reading about recoil operated guns I decided it would make a perfect sbs. I have to say after shooting that gun and various other newly manufactured autos it can hold its own with any of them.

Here it is in the current configuration with a Rhodesian inspired paint job

I have been shooting Remingtons for 60 years and working on them for 40. Anytime an 1100 won't run rings around any of the other models mentioned, there is something wrong with it. It doesn't require adjustment. The 1100 ran every other gun clean off the skeet ranges before the O/Us came along. The biggest issue with any semi auto is usually the nut on the rear of the stock.

I would agree with your relative economic assessment USAF_Vet. I do not like recoil actuated guns. Look for a deal on an 878 if you can. They only hold 3 shots, and they can be a pain to clean, but they shoot pretty well. A lot of people preferred the balance on a Sportsman 58/878 to the later 1100s.

I had a 12 gauge 1148-B (b grade=fancy wood, vent rib) for about fifteen years back in the late 1960's-early 1970's that I used for duck hunting. Even had a Cutts comp installed (worked great) toward the end of owning it.

*One day I decided I wanted something new and different, so I sold...........................worst <edited> mistake I ever did!
A 1148 in good condition, will hold up just fine with any of the current crop of shotguns out there.

The OP's questions seems to pertain to guns made prior to the 1960s as opposed to 1960-or-later.

The 1100 started in 1963 and is still in production. Not old-school IMO.
http://www.remington.com/products/archived/shotguns/autoloading/model-1100.aspx

However, the Sportsman 58 ran 1956-1963. I still shoot a couple of these in 12ga and 20ga and have no other semi-auto shotguns.

LGS has old 1100 (std receiver, 30" plain full-choked barrel with 70mm chamber) in excellent condition for $400. The older models in similar shape come close to $350. I would rather pay a little extra to own something for which parts will not be made of unobtainium in not so distant future.

I would rather pay a little extra to own something for which parts will not be made of unobtainium in not so distant future.

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Point taken. Model 1100 standard weight 20 gauges have remained quite popular for clay target shooters even though they have been out of production for over 30 years now. It appears the sources for those shell latches are drying up.

Got a 48 Sportsman for $75 (same as 11-48) in 16ga that shots just fine still. Even better now since the choke was opened from full to IC. Best $75 ever spent.

Sportsman 48 is the 3-shot version (of the 11-48) for compliance with bird shooting regulations, correct?

They are great shotguns and rifles .