Some help with an 1100

[hallboss]

I would have searched but truthfully I would not have known where or what to search for.

I had a Remington 1100 20 ga magnum given to me. When I got it, the gun looked brand new with no wear marks or scratches. When I started asking about it, I was told it had never been shot.

I know it is a Magnum because I called Remington, gave them the serial number and I was told it "was a bastard child that is a combination of a 12 ga reciever and a 20 ga barrel." I was told the idea was a failure and pretty much I should throw it away. Additionally, there are no parts available for it.

Mine has a smooth bore 24" barrel with a "Cutts" compensator.

My questions are:
I would like another barrel for it...preferably a rifled slug barrel, but everything I find is for LT-20's. Does one exist for this gun?

I shot it and it would only cycle about one out of 4 rounds with 2 3/4". I was told that was because it is chambered for 3" and it will not cycle anything less...I have not tried 3" yet, but that doesn't sound right. Shouldn't it cycle 2 3/4"?

Is what I was told by a Remington rep true, is this thing really a POS? I don't want to believe that, this gun is beautiful and I would hate it to be nothing but typical Remington excellence.

Thank you very much for your time
Darin

[Virginian]

Whoever told you that gun is a POS is a lying SOB. It is a standard weight 20 gauge 1100 Magnum. Extra barrels are not cheap, but they are out there. Of course you will need a 3" barrel to shoot 3" loads, and a 3" barrel will function with 3" and heavy 2-3/4" shells, but likely not function with light stuff, as you have found. A 2-3/4" standard 20 gauge barrel will fit and function fine with almost any 20 gauge 2-3/4" ammo known, and these are pretty highly desired by 20 gauge skeet and clays shooters. There, the extra weight is an asset.
As far as spares, except for the barrels, I thought just about everything else, but the forearm, was a standard 12 gauge part.

[hallboss]

Thank you very much for the information. I had a feeling I was being lied to, but I had no knowledge of this gun to refute it. If anyone knows where I could find a barrel for it, I would greatly appreciate the help. I searched under "20 ga magnum," "20 ga standard" and many others with no results.

Thank you again,
Darin

[Virginian]

www.corsonsbarrels.com
www.barrelexchange.com
www.gunbroker.com
www.gunsamerica.com
www.auctionarms.com

[DavidFagan]

Whoever told you that gun is a POS is a lying SOB. It is a standard weight 20 gauge 1100 Magnum. Extra barrels are not cheap, but they are out there. Of course you will need a 3" barrel to shoot 3" loads, and a 3" barrel will function with 3" and heavy 2-3/4" shells, but likely not function with light stuff, as you have found. A 2-3/4" standard 20 gauge barrel will fit and function fine with almost any 20 gauge 2-3/4" ammo known, and these are pretty highly desired by 20 gauge skeet and clays shooters. There, the extra weight is an asset.
As far as spares, except for the barrels, I thought just about everything else, but the forearm, was a standard 12 gauge part.

Hum...
Is this a 1964 or 65, I'm not so sure...

[hallboss]

Whoever told you that gun is a POS is a lying SOB. It is a standard weight 20 gauge 1100 Magnum. Extra barrels are not cheap, but they are out there. Of course you will need a 3" barrel to shoot 3" loads, and a 3" barrel will function with 3" and heavy 2-3/4" shells, but likely not function with light stuff, as you have found. A 2-3/4" standard 20 gauge barrel will fit and function fine with almost any 20 gauge 2-3/4" ammo known, and these are pretty highly desired by 20 gauge skeet and clays shooters. There, the extra weight is an asset.
As far as spares, except for the barrels, I thought just about everything else, but the forearm, was a standard 12 gauge part.

Hum...
Is this a 1964 or 65, I'm not so sure...

Don't know exactly what you are asking, but as far as I know it is somewhere in the late 70's.

[DavidFagan]

Hum...
Is this a 1964 or 65, I'm not so sure...[/quote]
Don't know exactly what you are asking, but as far as I know it is somewhere in the late 70's.[/quote]

If it was made in the late 70's then I think your fine, if it was made in 1964 or 1965 I don't know if it would be a POS but I would look for a collector who might want it and buy another because I think you would be SOL...

[Virginian]

I can't find the info now, but I believe the Standard 20 was dropped about 1977 or perhaps earlier. In any event, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the subject gun.

[DavidFagan]

I can't find the info now, but I believe the Standard 20 was dropped about 1977 or perhaps earlier. In any event, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the subject gun.

I know very little about shotguns at all, so I'm not going to dispute this but in 64,65 I believe the 20 was made on a magnum 12 gauge frame, wasn't their best idea...

[shot1too]

This information was found in the NRA American Rifleman Magazine (Aug, 1977 Page 56)

Remington has revised its 20ga. Lightweight Model 1100 autoloading shotgun to improve its durability. The change makes the new LT-20 mechanically like the 12-ga Model 1100. The LT-20 model may be recognized by the enlarged ejection port and by its longer barrel extention.

The first 20-ga. Model 1100 guns were sold in 1964 and were built on the 12-ga. frame. This model is still offered. Begining in 1966. mahogany woo was used as an alternative to walnut to keep the weight down.

The first truly lightweight 20-ga. Model 1100 was offered in 1970 with the introduction of the LW model which was built on a smaller frame also used for 28-ga. and .410. Its barrel extension resembled that of the Remington Model 870 slide action, and projected only about 1-1/8" behind the breech face.

The LT-20 uses the smaller frame. Its barrel extension projects about 3-1/8" behind the breech face. The ejector is permanently assembled to the barrel extension. LT-20 barrels are not interchangeable with those of earlier 20-ga. Model 1100 guns.

All LT-20 barrels, including those for the 3" Magnum 20-ga. shell, may be used interchangeably on the LT-20 receiver. Model LT-20 serial numbers stamped on the left side of the receiver start with the number M-585672 with the suffix letter K or U.

LT-20 Remington Lightweight guns are readily identified by the ejection port which is enlarged at its upper rear. The larger radius swerves to eliminate cracking at this corner.

Dave, you have a good memory. Looks like there were three types of 20-ga. model 1100 up to 1977. Seems like there are three types of barrels that are not interchangable. As of 1977 there wasn't a rifled slug barrel listed.

[Virginian]

I know very little about shotguns at all, so I'm not going to dispute this but in 64,65 I believe the 20 was made on a magnum 12 gauge frame, wasn't their best idea...

Actually, with Model 1100s there is no "magnum" frame. The 12 gauge 2-3/4" and 3" receivers are identical except for the rollmarking. The barrels and action sleeves are where the difference lies. Up until it was dropped, the Standard weight 20 gauge was built on the standard 12 gauge receiver.
Although the 3 different 20 gauge barrel designs are not interchangable, Model LT20 barrels can be modified into LW20 barrels rather easily. I know why Remington says they radiused the ejection port on the LW20, but I have never seen or heard of an LW20 with a problem.

[hallboss]

I know very little about shotguns at all, so I'm not going to dispute this but in 64,65 I believe the 20 was made on a magnum 12 gauge frame, wasn't their best idea...

Actually, with Model 1100s there is no "magnum" frame. The 12 gauge 2-3/4" and 3" receivers are identical except for the rollmarking. The barrels and action sleeves are where the difference lies. Up until it was dropped, the Standard weight 20 gauge was built on the standard 12 gauge receiver.
Although the 3 different 20 gauge barrel designs are not interchangable, Model LT20 barrels can be modified into LW20 barrels rather easily. I know why Remington says they radiused the ejection port on the LW20, but I have never seen or heard of an LW20 with a problem.

So is the "LW" the standard weight? I found a couple of barrels and they offer them for the standard model. Also, is the barrel what determines what shell I can load? In other words, mine is chambered for 3", can I put a 2 3/4" barrel and shoot 2 3/4" shells? I know this sounds like a pretty self explanitory question and stupid to ask, but with all the misinformation I have got lately, I want to make sure. I plan on giving this to my wife for trap and she will not shoot it if it will only shoot 3".

Also, I have the capability to machine, is the only difference with the LT barrel a matter of removing some material so it will match the standard receiver?

Thanks for all the help.

[Virginian]

Standard weight 20 gauge barrels and Lightweight LW20 gauge barrels and Lightweight LT20 gauge barrels are three (3) distinctly different barrel designs, and they are NOT interchangable. An LW barrel can be made out of an LT barrel, by shortening the barrel tang. A Standard weight 20 gauge is a distinctly different animal, utilizing a 12 gauge sized receiver. As far as I know, only a standard weight 20 gauge barrel will fit on a standard weight 20 gauge gun. If you have a Standard Weight Magnum 20 gauge, then any standard weight 2-3/4" or 3" barrel should work on your receiver.
If I was going to shoot a lot of 2-3/4" fairly stout loads, I would probably swap action sleeves, and/or keep a close watch on the recoil buffer, but with target loads I wouldn't be worried shooting a ton of 2-3/4".
Repeat: If you want another barrel, you need to buy a 20 gauge standard weight barrel.

[hallboss]

Thank you very much for the information, I really appreciate you guys taking the time to explain this to me.