Rem 1100 jammed with snap caps

[jporis]

I just picked up a used Remington 1100 (my first shotgun) today, then, of course, purchased a number of accessories (chokes, wrench, snap caps, etc.).

When I got home, I put 2 snap caps into the magazine, then cycled it. The first one loaded, then ejected just fine.

The second one got stuck in the mouth of the magazine tube, i.e. I couldn't push up the metal piece on the bottom of the ejection port. The snap cap was stuck partway into the tube. I couldn't push it in or pull it out.

I ended up forcing it out with a screwdriver (VERY carefully).

My question is, why would it jam like that? Is it because of the snap cap, or is it likely to do that the first time I try to load more than one live shell?

Obviously, I don't want to have to use a screwdriver on a live shell - if I get this type of jam, how should I clear it?

Thanks!

 

[Virginian]

Snap caps are probably undersized. Not an unusual problem at all. Most people just load one an use it to pull the trigger.
If it happens with a live round I would assume you could remove the barrel or drop the trigger group and clear things. I have heard of this on internet boards, but have not experienced it, or seen it in person, since 1963. But man have I seen a lot of gas piston assemblies put in every way but right.

 

[jporis]

So this is not something that should cause me to worry about the first time I use live shells?

 

[VARifleman]

Just take it to the range. It'll probably work just fine.

 

[Pete409]

Since it's your first shotgun, I would suggest that you shoot a box of shells loaded into the gun one at a time to see that the gun shoots, ejects the empty, and locks the bolt back as it should. Then, once satisfied that the gun works properly used as a single shot, load two shells into the gun.

When loading shells into the magazine, be sure to push them in ALL the way, not just til you hear the first click. Also, I would suggest that your first few boxes of shells be high quality target loads (Win AA, Rem STS, or Fed Gold Medal) even though they cost more than economy shells. These shells have actual brass bases and are much more reliable in most guns. If these shells won't work properly, then you'll know it's a problem with the gun and not the ammo.

 

[jporis]

Thank you - good advice from all.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Snap caps are for snapping. Dummy rounds are for testing cycling and for practicing loading.

Snap caps have never worked for me as dummies.

Get someone with a reloading setup to make you some dummies.

 

[jporis]

Yeah, I kind of wondered about the proper fit of the snap caps in the magazine tube - they didn't really "snap" in (no pun intended) all the way.

I don't know anyone who reloads shotgun shells, but will try it at the range first chance I get (probably next weekend, if the weather is ok)