Author Topic: Skeet loads in Rem.1100 LW 20ga. 3"mag. (Read 564 times)

Flyrod444 · « **on:** January 19, 2005, 03:46:31 AM »

I have an old Rem. 1100 LW 20ga. magnum that I would like to shoot skeet loads in for practice and crow hunting. I have cleaned the gun very well and it still does not want to cycle using low brass shells. I have tried Win. Fed. and Rem. shells. None of them will work in this gun. High brass and 3" magnum work flawlessly in it. Is there any thing that I may do that will allow me to use low brass shells in this gun and still use magnum loads in it also?
Thank You

gunnut69 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2005, 06:19:29 AM »

Use pipe(as in tobacco pipe) cleaners to thoroughly clean the gas ports located in the barrel ring. Make certain the gas seal (O-ring) is in good condition. Clean the bore using carberator cleaner(or acetone) and using a worn out brush wrapped with steel wool and an electric drill polish the chamber. The spining steel wool(I prefer 00) will burnish the chamber and allow easier cycling of the weapon. Be certain you've correctly lubed the shorgun. Use the barest minimum lube and realize that a greasey autoloader will foul quickly. A dry lube such a moly or graphite is a great way to go.. Lastly try a few different loads thru the gun. Some of the cheaper loss leader ammo brands develope more pressure than the 'better' brands and that extra gas pressure is helpful in getting that 1100 to cycle..

Bug · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2005, 02:56:04 AM »

Flyrod,
I experienced the same thing years ago with a 3" 12ga. After much comparison of parts, I found the biggest major difference was that the 3" barrel had one gas port, and the 2 3/4" barrel had two. After a lot of cogitating, I drilled the second gas port in my 3" barrel. I was fully aware that this would be much harder on the gun when firing 3" shells, but I generally don't shoot a full box per year. All the rest are standard hunting/target 2 3/4" loads.
Suffice to say the 1100 is still doing fine some 20 years later. I did find out from Remington that there are a few more differences than just the ports, but by that time it was just incidental information.
Having been there & done that, what I would suggest would be to just buy a 2 3/4" barrel in whatever flavor you choose. They can be had for around a hundred on just about any of the auction sites. My personal preference would be a vent rib bbl with choke tubes, but it will probably run a bit more than a hundred, maybe around two?
Anyway, the 2 3/4" barrel will fit right on, and cure all of th failure-to-function woes, with the target/field loads. Then you will also have the 3" barrel for those times you want magnum loads. Hope this helps.

gunnut69 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2005, 09:10:26 AM »

A 2 3/4 barrel is of course the best answer but I strongly urge you to no drill the extra port in your barrel. This creates a dangerous situation.. While it may work well for a while if anyone gets hurt you will be liable! what you are in effect doing is creating a 2 3/4 inch barrel out of a 3 inch. Also please note the port diameters differ between long and short chambers and even between differing barrel lengths.. Almost all 1100 3 inch guns will function most light loads if they are properly maintained. Clean, properly lubricated, and with a good gas seal o-ring.

Flyrod444 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2005, 02:29:52 AM »

Thanks for the tips. Next time I make a order to Midway I'll pick up a new gas seal and see if that helps. I have cleaned the gun well. I even took the butt off and took the recoil spring out and cleaned it and the tube it fits into. I have wanted a barrel for this gun that had choke tubes so I now have a reason to pick one up. My nephew has a 1100 20ga in 2 3/4" so I think I well try his barrel next time I get a chance.