Info about older 1100's needed

[ArmedBear]

I found a used 1100 in excellent condition for $250, but I didn't buy it because I have some questions. I still can if I want to.

Anyone know about the 1100's long history and variations in manufacture/design?

It's an old model. It has a full-choked 3" chamber barrel with no rib. I didn't jot down the date code, but I can get it if it matters.

It's a 12 Gauge and it has a receiver marked Magnum, which I assume means it will feed 3" shells, per Remington's usual nomenclature. Is this correct?

It has a stock cut for a short LOP.

Here are my questions, if anyone knows:

1. Will current-manufacture barrels fit this receiver?
2. Will it reliably feed 2 3/4" target loads (2.75 DE, 1 oz.)?
3. Do I need to adjust a gas valve, bushing, or something else according to the load? How critical is this? (Do I need to tweak it for a handicap or sporting load vs. a singles trap load, or is one adjustment good for say 1 - 1 1/8 oz. at 1100 - 1300 fps?)
4. Will any 12 Gauge 1100 stock fit this receiver, or were there different versions over the years?

I'm mainly interested in using this gun as the starting point for a buildout to shoot 5-stand, skeet and trap doubles. It's a rather heavy beast, more suited to the range than the field. So I really care a lot more about it shooting a variety of 2 3/4" shells reliably than anything else. I don't need a 3" gun for this purpose, but if it will feed 2 3/4" shells reliably, it seems like one of the best deals I've seen, for what I want.

Thanks to anyone with this info!

 

[trbon8r]

I briefly owned an 1100 back in the mid 1980's. Mine would not feed 1 oz. loads with any sort of reliability. I think you need to step up to at least 1 1/8 and maybe 1 1/4 oz. shells for the gun to cycle reliably. It was for this reason that I sold the Magnum and bought the standard version.

It does sound like you've found a good deal though if the Magnum fits your needs.

 

[pete f]

To change a 1100 mag to a standard 2 3/4 inch gun is based on the barrel.


The reciever will feed it just fine

The gas ports on a mag barrel are smaller, because the gas pressure is higher and it lets in the correct amount of gas. A standard barrel has more gas port area and thus functions the gun at lower pressures.

not a huge deal as 1100 barrels are easy to find and inexpensive.


The 1100 can usually handle pretty much all 2 3/4 loads when fitted with the correct barrel all tho some have problems with the lightest loads. IF this is all you are going to shoot, eg skeet loads, then a good smith can open the gas ports slightly and improve function at the expense of a little battering when shooting 1 3/4 duck loads.

stock fits yup any 12 will fit EXCEPT the special field english grip models.

 

[9mmMike]

I have a '79 Magnum 1100. It is wearing a Special Field "English Butt Stock" and it fits fine. Not sure about a forestock though.
Mine is a 2 3/4" gun as it wear a variety of 2 3/4" barrels depending on mood.
Right now, it's got the English stock, a 19" barrel and a +2 factory extension w/clamp.
The 2 3/4" barrels have two small ports for gas exhaust. The 3" barrels have one port but it is bigger.
Unless it is not shouldered firmly, my 1100 "magnum" receiver shoots 2 3/4" shells with no problems.
I was cleaning Dad's new 1100 and I noticed that the steel seals have changed. Mine is a two piece design and his, while still two parts, is not "nested like mine but one ring is inserted onto the other, semi-permanently. Not sure if they interchange.
My bride shoots an 1100 Special Field in 20 ga. Basically an English-stocked LT-20.
Neat guns.
Mike
edited to add that 250.00 is a good deal.

 

[Jack R]

Rem 1100

I have a 1972 vintage 1100 here..it has no problem digesting my 7/8 oz reloads.........recoil is nil........Jack

 

[byf43]

I currently own two 1100s.
One bought used for $100, that was built in 1972, and is a 'standard' 1100 that has been turned into a Competition Master 'clone'. The other is a 1983 vintage 'Magnum'.
As others have said, the gas ports and the chamber depth are what is different between the barrels.
The receiver, for all intents and purposes, are the same, or nearly the same. Not enough to declare, though, in my estimation.

The 1972 era 1100 had several things done to it when I converted it to a CM 'clone' including replacing the gas piston assembly, which does interchange with the 'old style'.
While the scattergun looked new on the outside, the inside was filthy, and the previous owner admitted that he hadn't fired it in at least 20 years.

(The new 22" barrel from Remington [to me] is really nice and swings quite well.)

If the 30" barrel doesn't suit you, there are literally miliions of others around, or, you could have that one shortened to 24, or 26, or even 28" and have choke tubes installed.

Lastly, the original barrel on my 'Magnum' is a fluke. It is choked full, but is actually 'X-Full' according to a gunsmith's gauge, and it will cycle everything from 2-3/4" 1-1/8 oz Trap loads to the old 3" heavy Goose loads from yesteryear. (Too bad it is relegated to a spot in the gunsafe, now.)

 

[ArmedBear]

7/8?

I'd figured that I'd have to keep those for the single-barrel break-action trap gun. That's cool.

Thanks all!

So, just to make sure I'm not misreading anything, what I see is that:

I can buy this gun no matter what vintage it is, get a 28" 2 3/4" chamber barrel for it, either a brand new one or a used one of any vintage. Then I can put any 12 G 1100 stock on it, either factory, aftermarket, or fancy custom. And all this will work fine, with just about any 2 3/4" load.

This sounds like what you've all said, in whole or part. Before I go waste my $250, is this right?

Thanks!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Buy it. Lots of old 1100s turn up in the hands of winners at SC, Trap and Skeet.

Like most mechanical things, they need PM and some small parts replaced periodically.

Last year in Shotgun Sports Magazine, Ed Clapper did a series in his column on building an 1100 for trap competition. He used a Timney release trigger, a Hastings high rib barrel available only through that magazine and a Jack West adjustable stock.

HTH....

 

[9mmMike]

byf43 said

...... including replacing the gas piston assembly, which does interchange with the 'old style'.

Is this a mod worth doing in your opinion? Where did you get the new "piston assembly".

Thanks,
Mike

 

[byf43]

9mmMike said
Quote:
...... including replacing the gas piston assembly, which does interchange with the 'old style'.


Is this a mod worth doing in your opinion? Where did you get the new "piston assembly".

Mike:

Yes, this mod is worth doing IF you need a new piston assembly. The one on my '72 vintage 1100 looked like the inside of a sewer pipe. (So did the barrel, but that is another thread.)
Plus, IF I remember correctly, the 'new assembly' is made of stainless steel.

Here is the info for the assembly:

Part # Description Price
200295 Piston & Piston Seal Assy w/Flyer 12 ga $14.20
This includes both pieces that 'nest' together.

I got this directly from Remington along with new Triton gas seals.
15899 Barrel Seal 12 Ga $4.00
Call Remington at: 1.800.243.9700 M-F 9:00a - 5:00p EST

Be advised that Remington charges tax on top of the price and postage.

I hope this helps.

Keith

 

[9mmMike]

Thanks again. I already put in that CM lifter. That thing is way cool.

Mike

 

[byf43]

Mike. . .

I got mine all together a couple of weeks ago.
Fortunately, I had a 'spare' carrier latch spring.
The original one is probably still in flight!!!!! Man. . . that puppy spit out of the trigger assembly so fast! The bad part of it was that when I disassembled the carrier assembly, everything stayed intact.

(Tip: When reassembling the carrier assembly, use a small wire tie and wrap it around the hammer and the carrier latch and secure the latch. You then can have two hands free to hold the carrier assembly and the carrier assembly tube!)

I shoulda thought of this first!!! I wouldn't have been crawling around on the reloading room floor. Duh!:banghead: :banghead:

Keith

 

[9mmMike]

Ha! Mine launched as well. It took a while to find an exploded view of the assembly so I could put that thing back. I never saw it coming!
Good tip on the wire tie!

 

[45auto]

I'm biased, but I think it's the "best shooting" auto made.

Mine is over 33years old, bought it used, and it's been a skeet gun, deer gun and a bird gun.
All with different bbls when needed and 2 stocks that didn't need to be fitted.

It's broken a couple of times, but they can be "gutted" cheaply which I should have done before they broke.

Everyone should own one IMHO.