Remington 1100 barrel change question

[crazykayaker]

I bought a 12 gauge Remington 1100 recently, that was originally purchased back in 1997; it came with a barrel marked "2-3/4'' shells". I'm considering buying a different barrel for it. Can I buy a barrel that chambers 2-3/4'' and 3'' shells and be able to shoot 3'' shells with it? I didn't know if the 3'' shells would put too much stress on the action/receiver of the shotgun even if the barrel had the ability of handling the 3'' shells. The action cycles, feeds and ejects the 3'' shells fine by hand, but I haven't tested it by firing for fear of messing it up. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[1KPerDay]

If your receiver says "MAGNUM" on it, yes, you can use a 3" barrel. If it doesn't, no.

 

[jmr40]

Check with Remington. Generally you should not shoot 3" shells if the receiver is not marked so, even if the barrel is marked for 3" shells. At one time Remington offered a barrel for the 1100 that was safe to shoot 3" shells, but only if they were steel shot.

 

[Virginian]

Remington still markets the 3" Steel Shot barrel for the 2-3/4" 1100s. It is the same as an older 3" Magnum barrel, but it comes with RemChokes. They say not to shoot anything but 3" steel out of it, and I am not telling you to do otherwise, but I shot everything, and i do mean everything, with mine for years, and I just kept a close watch on the buffer. With the 3" barrel on the gun you will likely not be able to shoot lighter loads. If you can find an old 3" 1100 action sleeve you would then in essence have a 3" gun, because the only differences were the barrel and the action sleeve.

 

[1KPerDay]

I stand corrected.

 

[throdgrain]

Indeed, my old Wingmaster 870 is from 1977, and the reciever is matched to a barrel for 2 3/4 shells, but I changed the barrel for a new one and now it shoots 3" just fine.