I got a Rem 1100 at the crowded gunshow

[Clark]

I got a shotgun yesterday. They wanted $150 for a Rem 1100 12 ga 30" barrel full choke ribbed barrel . There were a few rust spots. I offered $120 and got it.

Today I took it apart. I could not get the barrel off for an hour. Finally the barrel wiggled, but the gas cylinder was stuck. I move the gun fast, and the heavy wooden work bench stopped the shotgun when the gas cylinder hit the bench. That and Kroil did it. The stock screw was stuck too, and I used a socket wrench with a 1/2" flat screwdriver tip.

It had spider webs in the bore, but it cleaned up like new.

Then there was the dirt. I should have weighed the shotgun before I cleaned it. This was the most dirt I have ever seen. I used Kleen-ex, paper towels, dental probes, tooth brushes, Kroil, motor oil, Break Free CLP, liquid hand soap, Simple Green, ultra sound, and hot running water.

It all went back together and there is nothing wrong with it, other than a stripped screw in the stock butt plate. The guy left a note under the butt plate.
It was made in May of 1963.

 

[silent_killer]

Nice find and buy! 120 ain't a bad deal!

Let us know how it shoots!

 

[Milkmaster]

Nice find. Should do well after your clean up effort. Congratulations!

 

[mrhill]

ok just curious. What did the note say?

 

[soloban]

Nice find you stole it at that price! This is what heated ultrasonic cleaners and simple green was made for.

 

[Clark]

Here is a scan of the note.
I can't read it, and that is with contrast turned up to 70 in Irfanview.

Here is a pic of the trigger group when clean.

Here is a picture of the worst rust and the least rust.

 

[VAPOPO]

I've had a few friends bring me their 1100's in similar condition. Had one that had been owned and shot heavily for 10 years without a cleaning that was the worst. Still fired but the bolt moved so sluggishly that you could feel the movement. Good snag at that price you stole it.

 

[allaroundhunter]

I'm not sure what the top line says, but could the bottom line be a serial number? Maybe even a social security number? I think it is 9 digits.

 

[Skylerbone]

Looks like Eugene E. Johnson and excellent find.

 

[Virginian]

Good find and better deal. What's the serial #? 5 digits in 1963. I still have mine I got that year. A tip. Always give the gas components a spray of RemOil, CLP, or similar AFTER you shoot, whether it's one round or 500, and then wipe off the excess. Shouldn't take you 5 minutes. I have had eleven Model 1100s and 11-87s since that first one, plus about 40 other shotguns, and I didn't keep five 1100s because they are anything less than dead reliable.

 

[eastbank]

not a rem 1100,but a 12ga. rem 11-87,i bought this 11-87 at a flea market a little over a year ago for 250.00. i didn,t take a pic of it when i bought,but i wish i had. it was spray painted camo useing three colors and was sprayed on so heavy that it woun,t run low brass or high brass 2.3/4 shells and would some times jam with 3" mag shells. i had to complety strip it and remove the heavy spray paint, it took me over a month to get it back to normal. since then it works as it should and does not look to bad. i just don,t understand not taking care of a fine firearm. eastbank.

 

[1KPerDay]

Great stuff Clark! Congrats. It's a shame to see these wonderful shotguns abused like that.

 

[Nasty]

Great purchase! It's got the old engraved bolt and all...

Mine is 20 years younger...bought it in 1983.

I'd have jumped on it at his full asking price...


ps: A new barrel runs around $200

 

[Clark]

My father bought one just like that when they first came out.
I remember the day. I threw a steel pop can in the air and he shot it.
His date code is August 1963.
He never used a gun case or gun sock, so there are marks all over it, but it has always worked.

 

[Uniquedot]

I never seem to find deals like this. It would never have occurred to me to offer anything lower as I would have been trying to get my wallet out before anyone else saw it!.

 

[Jaxondog]

Looks like Eugene E. Johnson and excellent find.

You should be a Detective, good work.

 

[Jaxondog]

Were 1187's made in '63?

 

[Skylerbone]

The 11-87 was introduced in 1987. I got my 1100 in 1986 and, after seeing the changes I was very pleased with what I had. Still am.

 

[slamfirev10]

good find and nice job cleaning her up

 

[fdashes]

If I saw that shotgun at a gun show I would have walked right by without a second glance. I would have missed out on a very good deal,,,again. Nice that you took the chance and did great work on it. But you only tripled your investment.

 

[mach1.3]

It's a nice feeling to have rejuvenated such a veteran firearm. Sounds like you put $300 worth of thought, time and elbow grease into that project. When you get into it-it's all fun. When the final touch is applied there is a sense of accomplishment you can't put a price tag on.

BTW: Was there any scoring on the gas piston sleeve or the mag tube?

 

[Clark]

The both feel as smooth as glass, but the ammo tube has a blue and Silver speckles look, but smooth to the touch.