Remington 1100 Neophite Needs Help!

[jwhibb]

Hi all! I am BRAND new to the board but I am very excited about what I have seen so far!

I recently purchased my first autoloader, a 1980's Remington 1100. To this point all my experience with shotguns has been with doubles and pumps.

This gun came with three barrels. I shot the gun a couple of weeks ago with a 26" skeet barrel and it performed flawlessly...except that "it" missed a couple of shots! On New Years Day I shot it a box of shells through it with the same barrel and it worked great. However, I then switched barrels to a 30" Full and it would not eject shells. The bolt did not even come back. I could do it manually but it would not eject at all when I fired it. I then put the 26" Skeet barrel back on and now it would not eject them either. I might add that the first time I shot the gun the weather was snowy and about 30 degrees and the second time it was dry and about 15 degrees.

I have searched the posts and found several threads about this but they all say things like; check the O rings, clean the gas ports, etc., etc. My problem is this. I have NO idea how to do this. I found a schematic of the 1100 but I am not sure how to go about taking it completely apart, cleaning the ports etc., etc. I have also found some great information from Dave McCracken's post but what I think I need is a step by step how to maintain my gun.

My questions are as follows:

1. What caused the gun to stop ejecting the shells?
2. Is there a recommended book or manual that will help me maintain my 1100? Keep in mind that it MUST be a 1100 for Dummies Version!

Thanks in advance for the help!!

 

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Hi & welcome to the boards.

This may help you:

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/images/Rem_1100_Notes__Rev_with_Pix_of_Disassembly.pdf

 

[jwhibb]

Thanks Mr. 16 Gauge

Thanks for the welcome and the link. It has a lot of info!

 

[Pete409]

JW,

From your post, it sounds like when you changed barrels, you didn't reassemble the gun properly or left some part out.

It could be several different things which caused the gun to stop ejecting, but I doubt the weather change you mentioned had anything to do with it.

More than likely, IMO, it has something to do with the O-ring or the gas piston or piston seal.

Also, be sure that the ammo you are using is compatible with the barrel chamber. For example, if the barrel says 3" Magnum, then 2 3/4" shells probably won't eject. OTOH, if the barrel says 2 3/4" shells, using 3" magnum shells would be UNSAFE.

 

[jwhibb]

Thanks Pete. The gun only shoots 2 & 3/4 which is what I was using and when I changed the barrel I took one off and put the other back on. I did not remove or mess with anything else, at least not that I know of. I am going to replace the 0 ring and see if that helps.

 

[toivo]

The O-ring might have come unseated when you changed barrels. If it comes out of its groove, you won't have a tight seal and ejection won't happen.

 

[Pete409]

Toivo made a good point about the O-ring needing to be in the groove. Another things is make sure you get the wooden forend on fully and the magazine cap screwed down tight.

BTW, the bolt assembly needs to be in the retracted (rearward) position when changing barrels. One other point. The magazine tube (outer surface) should have a light coat of lightweight gun oil on it where the piston and piston seal slide back and forth. Don't use heavy grease or heavyweight motor oil.

While you're at it, a couple drops of lightweight gun oil on the inside receiver rails where the bolt slides back and forth will help keep it properly lubricated too.

 

[stellarpod]

I don't mean to be redundant, but I want to make sure you understood Pete409's comments. I too shoot an 1100 and have several barrels. My gun is a 3" Mag LH model. I have two 2-3/4" barrels which I use also.

The 2-3/4" shells work flawlessly in the 2-3/4" barrels. BUT, if I try to use them in the 30", 3" full choke barrel, they will not cycle the action.

QUESTION: Regardless of what is inscribed on the receiver, what is stamped on the barrel? If it says 3" (I believe a 3"-chambered barrel will still fit in a 2-3/4" receiver) then you've solved the problem.

If you look inside the collar on the barrel (that fits around the magazine) you'll notice two holes in the 2-3/4" barrels. These allow enough expanding gas to pass to allow the action to cycle. The 3" barrels only have one hole, which will not allow enough expanding gas from a 2-3/4" shell to cycle the action effectively.

If your 30" full choke barrel is marked 2-3/4", and if it has two vent holes in the collar, AND if they're not clogged, then disregard everything I've just said. Your problem lies elsewhere.

stellarpod