I have recently purchased a very nice but older 1979 Remington 1100. The shotgun came with a 26" VRB fixed choke improved cylinder barrel. While this set up seems optimal for most of my uses (upland bird and skeet) I feel like I would still prefer a 26" VRB with the rem-choke system. What do you guys think about them? Any sources? What should I expect to pay?
Remington 1100 Barrel Questions
- Thread starter lev83
- Start date
- Status
sm
member
I strongly suggest you keep the original fixed choke improved cylinder barrel original and not do a thing with it.
They do not make that barrel anymore and never will.
The metallurgy, forcing cone, bore and how that barrel is constricted to a IC, is really that good.
Please Please Please leave this barrel original, never cut it shorter, and never have it threaded to accept screw in choke tubes.
Seriously, too many of us would prefer that old fixed choke barrel over a brand spanking new barrel with screw in chokes.
That is some kind of barrel, please keep original.
Ditto for the gun itself...
Please leave the gun bone stock and just appreciate it for what it really is.
They do not make that barrel anymore and never will.
The metallurgy, forcing cone, bore and how that barrel is constricted to a IC, is really that good.
Please Please Please leave this barrel original, never cut it shorter, and never have it threaded to accept screw in choke tubes.
Seriously, too many of us would prefer that old fixed choke barrel over a brand spanking new barrel with screw in chokes.
That is some kind of barrel, please keep original.
Ditto for the gun itself...
Please leave the gun bone stock and just appreciate it for what it really is.
Snarlingiron
Member
I agree with sm to a point.
I see no harm in getting another Rem Choke barrel to play with, and to use for other applications where IC might not be the best choice.
I would keep the original barrel totally original. It can always be put back on the gun, and will almost certainly outperform the Rem Choke barrel with an IC choke.
A shotgun is to enjoy and the more utility you can get out of it, the better.
On the other hand, you could add $50.00 to the cost of the 1100 barrel and buy yourself an 870 Express with Rem Choke barrel for those other occasions where you might want something else.
For me a lot of the fun of the shotgun is not only in the shooting, but also in working on them, testing various changes and tweaks, and thoroughly understanding exactly how they work.
The 1100 is an excellent moderately priced shotgun that will last indefinitely. There have been millions made, and they are still being made, so they are not going to appreciate in value in our lifetimes. It is a perfect candidate for "tinkering".
Everybody needs at least one more shotgun.
I see no harm in getting another Rem Choke barrel to play with, and to use for other applications where IC might not be the best choice.
I would keep the original barrel totally original. It can always be put back on the gun, and will almost certainly outperform the Rem Choke barrel with an IC choke.
A shotgun is to enjoy and the more utility you can get out of it, the better.
On the other hand, you could add $50.00 to the cost of the 1100 barrel and buy yourself an 870 Express with Rem Choke barrel for those other occasions where you might want something else.
For me a lot of the fun of the shotgun is not only in the shooting, but also in working on them, testing various changes and tweaks, and thoroughly understanding exactly how they work.
The 1100 is an excellent moderately priced shotgun that will last indefinitely. There have been millions made, and they are still being made, so they are not going to appreciate in value in our lifetimes. It is a perfect candidate for "tinkering".
Everybody needs at least one more shotgun.
Last edited:
chas08
Member
I just did a bunch of looking at 1100's and spare barrels. Before I opted for an 1187 instead. The best price I found was at Ultimate Outdoors for a 26" remchoke barrel $192. Another option you may want to concider would be a steel shot barrel for $203. Wth the steel shot barrel you can shoot 3 inch "Steel Shot ONLY" from a standard reciever with no modifications. According to remington the steel shot barrel will cycle lead loads as light as 3 1/4 dram - 1 1/8 oz loads. It may be a better option if you want to hunt waterfowl at some point in the future. You have a "Great " gun there with lots of options available and there is nothing wrong with exploring them. But, please by all means, "Dont" do anything to that factory original fixed choke barrel. Thy just don't make them like that anymore. 
Flyrodder
Member
Snarlingiron: You are right on the money.
Virginian
Member
If you want one, get it. It works pretty much as advertised, but it is heavier to accomodate the choke tubes.
I have one of those 3" "steel" barrels. It didn't function with much of anything when I got it (I was a dealer at the time). I called Remington, and they told me what size to drill the gas hole out to ! So, I did, and have been shooting everything (steel, bismuth, tungsten, lead) in heavy loadings ever since. It's iffy with 2-3/4" 1-1/4 oz tungsten matrix and similar, but fine with everything above that.
I have one of those 3" "steel" barrels. It didn't function with much of anything when I got it (I was a dealer at the time). I called Remington, and they told me what size to drill the gas hole out to ! So, I did, and have been shooting everything (steel, bismuth, tungsten, lead) in heavy loadings ever since. It's iffy with 2-3/4" 1-1/4 oz tungsten matrix and similar, but fine with everything above that.
- Status
