The Classic Remington 1100, All-Around Excellence Through the Decades

The Remington Model 1100 shotgun will turn 60 -years old next year. It is arguably the most successful and popular shotgun ever built. 

The Remington Model 1100 was introduced in 1963 as a successor to the Model 58 and 878 gas operated shotguns and has since been the quintessential shotgun for pro skeet shooters, homestead defenders, and hunters of all experience levels for more than fifty years. The 1100 can be found in practically any hunting camp where a shotgun is required. It can be seen in action - duck hunting in Louisiana, kicking up grouse on the plains of South Dakota, hunting doves in Georgia, and yes, even for grouse and squirrel hunting in West Virginia.

This Remington is one of the most popular autoloading all-purpose shotguns thanks to an exceedingly effective design that emphasizes simplicity in the best ways. 

There is no doubt that the Remington is a lethal weapon. This baby was built to obliterate any well-aimed target within 30 yards, regardless of barrel, load, or caliber. Longer barrels, up to 30", are ideal for long-range trap shooting or hunting. The Remington 1100 is a fixture in contests and skeet shooting, and its deadly accuracy is renown.

The Remington, which was introduced in 1963, has a long history of dependability and resilience.

The sleek design and ease of tear down for regular maintenance allow for easy long-term maintenance as well as easy access to the parts and pieces that can indicate whether the Remington you're considering is up to par with its contemporaries. A simple inspection of the O-ring for wear and tear might provide valuable information about past owners' maintenance.

This champion of temerity will be free of failure for decades if it is cleaned on a regular basis. Always keep a close eye on the gas system where the gas ports meet the tube and keep the crud that can accumulate there at bay.
Usability

The Remington Model 1100 has the same crossbolt safety as the Remington Model 870, as well as a short side-charging handle.

Magazine and Reloading: The Remington 1100 is a semi-auto shotgun with four shots in the tube and one in the chamber that may be utilized in any situation.

Reloading is hindered slightly by a little silver tab that unlocks the loading gate. The benefit of having the bolt hold open on the last shot is that you could possibly put a shell directly into the side port, hit the release, and have a hot round in the chamber in a matter of seconds.

The 1100s will hold four 2 3/4′′ shells in the tube and one in the chamber without any tube extensions. If you require more, there are numerous options available.

The 1100 should be cleaned more frequently than more modern shotguns since the gas system acquires gunk faster.

There is also an ambidextrous bolt release, also known as a carrier release, to provide anyone with the convenience of a quick reload.

Disassembling the 1100 is easy for the most part: To remove the barrel and stock, just pull back the bolt, detach the magazine cap, and have the bolt locked back. 

Simply described, the Remington 1100 shotgun feels the way a shotgun should feel. From the basic black with engraved walnut forend and stock to choices entirely wrapped in camo covering, you can now find everything from the classic black with engraved walnut forend and stock to a more modern tactical black and synthetic line. Regardless of generation, they will all have that same high-quality solid feel, with no rattling or wobble.

The Remington 1100 shines because of its recoil management.

The heaviness and balance of the design, combined with the gas-operated action, make this soft shooter a standout performer with substantially less recoil. If you're testing a used one, a strong kick could indicate that something isn't quite right. 

Hunting with a 1100 is a completely natural experience. The stock is...perfect and will come up naturally for anyone who has hunted with 870s in the past.

The crossbolt safety clicks, which may frighten game at close range. The rest of the 1100 is quite simple, with little to obstruct a decent hunt. The 1100 is slightly heavier than other recent shotguns, but the weight also contributes to its gentler shooting characteristics.

There’s a reason they’ve been making this shotgun since 1963. Consistency in performance and a stellar reputation are well earned in the Remington 1100. 

Even though the design on this shotgun is ancient, it is no slouch in use and you’re not giving up much to the newer shotguns. If you have a load that works for your 1100 and don’t need the versatility of modern shotgun designs, you’re not missing out on much for newer tech. Keep a few #21 o-rings handy and you’re good to go!