Need assistance w/ Remington barrel

[loaded4bear]

I need the assistance of fellow Remington owners & shotgun deer hunters in convincing Remington Arms Co. to bring a 20 ga rifled deer barrel to market for the model 1100 shotgun. Currently the only 20ga. cantilever scope mount barrel for the model 1100 is manufactured by Hastings, and it is only available in a high gloss finish, 24" tube. I'm imploring Remington to manufacture one in a matte finish to compliment their "special purpose" series of 1100's, at 20" in length to improve handling. Below is my letter to Remington, followed by the company's response. If they see there's an interest in such a product, maybe they will bring it to market. Remington can be emailed at:
 http://remington.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/remington.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=p3C3_Vfi&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfcm93X2NudD0zMTQmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**

Q: I'm writing to inquire about the possibility of Remington offering a cantilever scope mount barrel for the Remington 1100 20ga. special purpose. Ideally I would like to see a 20" fully rifled version in matte finish to compliment the special purpose series guns. There are many of us who hunt in "shotgun only" states (like NJ), or portions of other states too developed to allow rifle hunting, that would be interested in such an offering. With the rapid development of sabot slug technology over the last few years, particularly in 20 ga. ammo, I know such an offering would be well received. Many youth hunters (and adults as well) would prefer this offering over the brutish recoil of the 12 ga. counterpart. Please advise & put me on the list for one of these new barrels!

A:  Thank you for contacting Remington Country.  We do not offer a cantilevered 20 1100 barrel at this time and do not have one scheduled for production in the near future.

At this time we are unable to provide information regarding 2007 new products or future development due to competitive reasons. Normally this type of proprietary information is kept secret until the product line is approved for the upcoming year. We usually announce new product information in middle to late December after our annual sales meeting.

[snicker]

Good luck with that!!!  I have been after Remington for many many years to bring out a cantilever scope mount barrel for the 1100 20 ga.  I pretty much gave them the same reasons that you gave and even told them that's why Hastings makes so much money off Remington.  Over the years the answers I got range from the same as you got to "We have been getting alot of requests for that barrel."  When I asked them why they didn't go ahead and do it they wouldn't answer.  Finally told them I'll just get a Hastings barrel and was quickly told only Remington barrels should be used on their receivers.  Kind of like they don't want you buying what you need from someone else but really won't help you out either.  Now with the 1187 really taking over for the 1100 it is doubful they ever will make that barrel for the 1100.  You can get the 1187 now in a 20 ga Sportsman with a cantilever barrel.  My feelings are with all the trouble I have had from them on this over the years I will just keep the Hastings barrel.  My gun is the 1100 20 ga Youth and the high gloss barrel doesn't look bad on it and shoots really well.  Also the longer barrel seems to ease the recoil a little more, my impression, as compared to rifled slugs out of the short 21" barrel that came with it.