Please recommend a gunsmith for my 1100

[mikle76]

Due to a "brain fart" and dropping my 1100 on the ground with the barrel still in my hand something went wrong with the workings of my Remy I have taken it apart and put it back together atleast 4 times and can't come up with the reason why. The closest gunsmith is 1 hr away and I have been had by them once before years ago I want to ship my gun off somewhere and have it fixed and would like to get choke tubes installed at the same time. There are LOTS of of online GS's on the internet but would like to get some feedback on a few good ones before shipping of my shotgun to them. Any reccomendations are appreciated!

 

[Pete409]

I've heard nothing but the best about Mike Orlen, and this includes comments from some very particular gun owners. High quality work, reasonable prices, and fast service.

Michael Orlen
79 Salem Street
Amherst, MA 01002

http://users.dls.net/~rdouglas/MikeOrlen.pdf

Here is a list of his prices. Repairing a damaged 1100 would be a piece of cake for him.

 

[Liberty1776]

I'll give a secone thumbs-up for Mike Orlen. I bought a gun from him some years ago that he had modified, and will agree his work is first-rate.

 

[Al Thompson]

What is it not doing? We have some smart guys here, they may be able to help.

 

[mikle76]

I have e-mailed Mike and am waiting for a response. Everything seems to function fine UNTIL I put the barrel on, then suddenly, either the bolt is very sluggish in closing (it is hanging and dragging) or everytime I push a shell into the magazine it shreds one side of the shell like something is cutting into it. Other times it will not allow me to load a shell in the mag at all. The funny thing is it's usually only one problem or the other but sometimes it's all three. The shotgun worked perfectly up until the moment I dropped the reciever half on the ground from my dove seat as I was trying to change out barrels. I brain pooted and tried to pick the gun up by the barrel after taking of the magazine nut The barrel stayed in my hand but the rest of the gun fell over off of my stool and hit on the magazine tube hard enough to knock off the gas rings and send the magazine spring flying. The tube does not appear damaged in any way and the action is quick and nimble w/o the barrel attached Something must have jarred loose or bent so slightly I can't tell it but even with my Pops working 1100 and mine side by side I can't see the problem. I have taken his and my gun apart atleast 4 times and put them back together but no luck. I put my barrel on Dad's gun to make it through bird season but now it's time for a fix!

 

[Pete409]

Sounds like you bent something. My guess would be the magazine tube. It's long and slender and not well enough anchored to the receiver to resist the forces of dropping it on the ground.

Normally, the gun would be assembled and the barrel and forend would help protect the mag tube from bending, but without the barrel on the gun, the mag tube is very vulnerable, IMO.

Also check the action bars for straightness. I would even look inside the receiver at the mouth of the magazine tube and see if the feed latch looks OK.

Good luck.

 

[Virginian]

Pete409 is likely on the right track. My bet also would be the magazine tube and/or feed latch. Action bars are pretty tough. A decent gunsmith should be able to cure her in no time. I have not used him, but have also heard good about Mike Orlen.

P.S. - Is your dove seat in a tree stand?!

 

[mikle76]

LOL... no. It's just your standard Dove seat but it allowed the shotgun a good swinging headstart onto it's magazine tube (instead of just flat on it's side) and it gave me an extra one-half second to cuss as it was falling and my hands were full :banghead:

 

[tellico]

gunsmith

Me and my friends use Norman Myers at Heritage custom arms in Rossville,Ga 423-413-3055 He has repaired a little bit of everything for us.FAST turn around also.