Anything wrong w/ an 1100 made in the mid 80's??

[jimmyraythomason]

I don't hang out with bird hunters anymore so I don't know what the "hot" semi is now but in the '80s the Rem.1100 was THE gun for quail and doves. It was the number 1 new shottie but second to the Browning "Sweet Sixteen" and "Light 12" (Belgium made only)for used guns. The o ring is the weak link but buy a dozen to keep on hand and go for it.

 

[Virginian]

With anything but pipsqueak loads most of them will run fine with no 'O' ring at all. The first ones had a metal 'V' ring, but they switched over, for costs most likely. I have two of them off my 12 gauge models in the parts box so I don't lose them.

 

[plumbernater]

lok on YANKEE ARTIFACTS they have a couple of 1100s for around $350 and I really like the 1100 too. The barrels change out real easy from rifled slug to any choke bird or skeet you want.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Perfectly serviceable shotguns that work great. My best trap scores were with a 70's vintage 1100 Trap and that thing ran like a tank. I don't think the 391 I replaced it with was a better gun.

My dad has been using the same 1100 26" IC since 1967 for bird hunting (which replaced a m11). He's never seen the need for anything else until turkeys made a comeback in the last decade and I don't know of him ever changing the O-ring.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

BTW,if you lube (I prefer not to) the 'O' ring,only use a barium type grease. A small tube of barium (aka 'O' ring grease)from any autoparts store is cheap and will last a long time.

 

[LeonCarr]

A buddy of mine's Dad was a big time competitive skeet shooter in the 60s and 70s and has a room full of trophies, plates, and cups. I asked him what shotgun he used to win all that stuff, and he showed it to me. A bone stock except for Pachmayr recoil pad Remington 1100 12 gauge, 26" vent rib improved cylinder choke barrel, and most of the varnish was worn away from the forend and the pistol grip. I asked him if he had ever had to do any work on it, and the only thing he said was "7 O-rings and one extractor". He estimates he has put over 100,000 rounds through it, and still hunts Doves with it to this day. Sounds like a pretty good shotgun to me .

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[Virginian]

Before the over and unders got popular, 1100s ruled the Skeet ranges. Everywhere I went it was the Skeet gun. I know mine took me from a world class joke to high league average in 9 months. There was a small extra thrill because it was a Winchester range.

 

[AKElroy]

Thanks for all the feedback; I am still trying to touch base with my local FFL, so having the old / new 1100 in time for Saturdays' hunt is not looking good. Still, I will post pics when I have it.

 

[CajunBass]

I had two of them "back in the day"(that would have been early/mid 80's). Exactly like the one you describe. 28", VR, mod choke. My wife and I used them for shooting skeet targets down in the gravel pit, dove hunting, and deer hunting with buckshot (I killed my first buck with mine). I don't remember either of them ever jamming. They may have, but if they did it was darn seldom. I kept the gas ports clean, and scrubbed the chambers well. I don't know how many round we put through them, but it was a bunch. I used to keep a tosser, a couple cases of shells, and skeet in the back of the Bronco, ready to go.

I traded mine off for something. AFAIK, she's still got hers (we're divorced now). Good guns. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again.

 

[WV_Vizsla]

To keep it in perspective... My Rem 1100 fixed mod choke, plain barrel was made in 1983, purchased in 1984. Was tagged @$400, Sweetheart deal @$187 out the door. $7.50 per year cost of ownership ~ 40K rounds later still like it. Retired it in 2001 for a Red Label. Started using it again this year due to shoulder injury. Forgot how easy to shoot and smooth bump the gun has. Upgraded to a 105 CTi II this year.
After breaking in, try feeding 1oz, 1200 fps, but may need 1250 fps or 1 1/8 oz, 1150 fps to cycle. Mine never liked cheap WalMart Federal shells. Have replaced ORing ~ 4 times, always have a spare at home. Was my loaner gun, most folks liked it to learn on.