Rem 1100 G3 vs 1100 Sporting 12 (clay)

[CanadianDad]

Trying to decide between these two shotguns. I love the look and the price of both. Only concern I have is the Remington Realwood carbon reinforced walnut laminate stock on the G3. Will this two-piece stock begin to separate, split or chip years from now? Will it be too light and thus affect recoil? Would the solid stock of the 1100 Sporting clay be a better balanced gun? I am mostly shooting clays but will hunt he occasional partridge and pheasant.

What are you opinions/thoughts?

And to completely confuse the issue, should I pass on both of these and spend a bit more for the Beretta A391 Teknys Field Upland Semi: X Wood?

 

[ysr_racer]

Go with the good old 1100. They made a million of them for a reason. You can probably find a good used one and save some $$$$

 

[Dave McCracken]

I favor wood for most shotgunning. Like ysr, I'd forego the new stuff and search out a 2 3/4" 1100. A choke tubed barrel. a stock fitted to thee, new ringsnsprings and you're set.

And ysr, actually it's 4 million.

As for the 391, I see plenty of these and not heard the slightest complaint yet.

 

[PJR]

And to completely confuse the issue, should I pass on both of these and spend a bit more for the Beretta A391 Teknys Field Upland Semi: X Wood?

Yes. I own both an 1100 and a 391. The 391 is a superior firearm in just about every respect and worth the extra money. The only reason I still have the 1100 is because Beretta doesn't make the 391 in 28 gauge. I have also owned a 12 gauge 1100 and it wasn't half the gun that the 391 is.

 

[ArmedBear]

I'd forego a 2 3/4" model and get an older 3" Magnum. Action is stronger than the standard, and they're often cheaper to buy since there's little demand for the 3" lead shot barrel that's on them. All aftermarket parts fit the Magnum model same as the standard.

Get a new barrel to your liking (2 3/4" barrels fit fine and cycle target loads perfectly), get the stock fitted, and you'll have a true "forever gun" that's better than the new ones, for less money and fitted, too.

 

[CanadianDad]

Thanks for all the great advice guys. Very much appreciated.

 

[oletymer]

The G3 has the over bored barrel and lengthened forcing cone. It also has the nickel teflon coated action parts. The stock should hold up with no problems. The changes to the newer models have kept me from buying a new 1100 trap model until they add the changes to them.