1100 cycling

[LaDano]

I picked up a 12 gauge 1100 for a deal, and found out why. When you shot it, it ejects fine but doesn't feed another shell. The shells remains in the magazine tube. A smith told me it was a gas problem, another told me since it ejects the gas circulation was fine. He thinks its the shell stop. When you cycle it by hand it functions fine. I'm lost.

[gunnut69]

If the shell stays in the magazine the problem is likely the 'feed latch' which is No.42 in the link posted below. The shell is released from the magazine by the feed latch being moved out of the way by the opening of the bolt assebly and it's subsequent movement to the rear. Cycle the action by hand a few times and it's action will become apparent.  It is a stamped sheet metal part and may be bent or worn.  Either bend back or replace as needed..  It is retained in the receiver by a couple of staked places.  It commonly falls out as the firecontrol assembly is removed.  It should be it's own spring.  

http://stevespages.com/ipb-remington-1100.html

[LaDano]

Thanx, I'm going to sit down and take a closer look. Just wish I had another one to compare it to.

[LaDano]

I've been watching the feed latch nad it seems to be fine. When I cycle the action by hand, I can see the feedlatch move toward the receiver and let another shell come in. When I push the carrier in, it feeds into the chamber fine. The action cycles fine by hand, It just doesn't feed another shell when fired. Got me puzzled and scratching my head.

[Judson]

Gunnut you will have to help me out here as my computer is in the house not in the shop where I have most of my books.    Years ago I ran into exactly what is going on here.    If I remember correctly it was caused by the interceptor latch being in the wrong position, (problem is I can not remember how it is supposed to go with out looking at it.)    The other cause could be if the interceptor latch spring has popped out of position.    If either of these problems exist the gun will cycle fine by hand but not feed when fired.

[LaDano]

I looked at another 1100 today and compared the interceptor latch and the shell stop. The only thig I saw differently is that my intercpter latch has a little play(side to side) against the receiver, the other one was tight. I've been reading all my books, and came all I came up with is the next shell is not carrier latch hard enough. Maybe a weak Magazine spring, so I changed the spring. I can't compare it to the old one because its somewhere at the camp, It flew out by the fire outside. I know, I screwed that one up, but thats another story. Hope this gives somemore into it. Thanx

[dave375hh]

One other thing you should check is the bolt return spring in the tube that the buttstock mounts on. If it's gummed up or rusted it can cause the action to short stroke. This might explain why it works by hand but not when fired. I've seen many of them rusted and gunked up to the point I was suprised they worked at all. A good cleaning made them work like they're supposed to.

[gunnut69]

Sorry, I went back to re-examined the function cycle of the 1100.  The tip off should have been that the weapon works fine by hand but refuses to feed when fired.  The feed latch(42) holds the shell that will feed into the chamber when the weapon is fired.  This occurs when the action is cycled by hand but when fired the interceptor latch(59) is activated by the hammers action on the disconnector.  It's purpose is to hold the 2nd shell in the magazine from trying to feed also when the feed latch is released by the carrier.  The interceptor latch catches the shell in the magazine that will be the fed in the NEXT firing cycle, holding it off the feed latch until the disconnector is reset by the closing action and the release of the trigger..  I believe that's where the problem lies.  I believe it's catching the shell that's in the feed latch now.  This prevents it from releasing from the feed latch and being cycled into the chamber.  My problem is this, the shell feeding from the magazine also releases the carrier dog(21) which is holding the action open.  This is what allows the action to remain open after the last shell is fired.  If the action is closing with no shell being released from the magazine then there is another problem..  I suspect a damaged carrier, carrier dog, disconnector and/or interceptor latch.  It may well be a combination of the above parts.  The wobbling of the interceptor latch on it's stud should also have been a red flag.  Tests--Fire a single round in the weapon from a chamber loaded condition. If the action remains open procede to the next test, if not correct..(bad carrier dog/spring or carrier..) Remove the interceptor latch(59) and chamber load the weapon. DO NOT load more than a single round in the magazine.  The tie up that occurs when an 1100 double feeds is a pain to clear and can be dangerous.  If the weapon fires and reloads with the intrceptor rmoved it can be thought to be the problem. replace along with spring and retainer. If the stud has been damaged it may also require replacement. Perhaps an undersized interceptor can be had from Remington.  If this is the case a call to Remington may well be in order.  Be very cautious when test firing any gun but especially this one.  Double feeding in a firing cycle can damage components from improper stresses.  Also if the disconnector should part of the problem the weapon may double or fire 2 shells from a single pull.  I would also check to be absolutely certain the firing pin isn't broken.  A slam fire would also ruin your day and any 1100 with this many problems requires careful inspection.  For safeties sake!If you've any more questions let me know..  does the carrier dog hold the action open? Is an important question to answer first.

[LaDano]

Ok, I haven't shot the gun since opening weekend(1stOct). I believe the carrier stayed open. I have looked closer at some parts, quite abit of wear. I'm going to shot it tomorrow and see if it stays open or closes. 1 round at a time, You got me nervous about the double feed. Thanx and I'll let you know.

[gunnut69]

If the carrier stayed open(bolt stayed back) then it's likely the interceptor not allowing the shell being presented by the magazine to be releaased by the feed latch.  The interceptor should only block the shell if it's tailed end is depressed by the disconnector when the gun is fired.  The disconnector is powered by the same ram as pushes the hammer. Also would be a good idea to check and be certain someone in the past hasn't been monkeying with it and altered the length of the feed latch. It should be staked down but held in proper relation to the magazine by the front trigger assembly retainer pin.  If it's too far forward the interceptor would catch that round instead of the next to emerge from the magazine. When the interceptoor is released by the disconnector and releases the round it has caught that round should move forward to be caught by the feed latch. One could pull the firecontrol mechanism and operate the interceptor manually.  A pencil or dowel will do the trick and you can watch it's release of the shell, subsequently to be caught by the feed latch.  These are usually quite reliable weapons!

[LaDano]

Ok, I Fired it this morning. It look'd like the bolt did not come back far enough for the empty hull to get ejected. The hull bounced back in and rechambered itself. Could the shell extractor be causing it? It's probably going to go to my gunsmith, before I screw it up. Just not yet. Thanx

[gunnut69]

Now that's a different problem!  The empty staying in the chamber is usually a short stroking problem.  Something is slowing the bolt opening velocity or the gas system is not providing enough power to function the weapon.  Is this the same problem we were working on?  Is the gas system assembled correctly? Is the link installed correctly and as said before we're now to the point that we need to totally disassemble the weapon and check that recoil spring in the tube at the back of the receiver. Is the 'O' ring(barrel seal) in good condition and the piston and piston seal undamaged and assembled on the magazine tube in the correct sequence and orientation?  When you disassemble the weapon check for areas of inordiate wear or unusual wear patterns.  Look for drag marks..  Also check the chamber for rust..Even if the bore looks fine.  Remove the barrel from the action and check the chamber by looking from the side and using a strong pocket flashlight.  Check the entire length and circumference of the chamber for pits.  Check the empty for any unusual marks, scratches or polished areas.. If your in no hurry we can probably find the problem(s) and in the process you will learn more than most will ever know about the 1100.  This is a fairly good weapon wwith few quirks or failings.  It's good enough that Remington chose to keep it in the lineup even thought the 1187 is it's replacement. The really clean a shotgun(any gun) I prefer carberator cleaner.  Buy the cheap stuff (78 cents at WalMart) and be careful.  It contains acetone a very volatile solvent and if it gets on the finish it WILL damage it.  It's best to do the spritzing outside. Be sure to clean the recoil spring tube on the inside and clean the spring and follower also. A bit of light oil on them is good. .  Good luck!!

[LaDano]

That's what it looked to me, short stroke. When I first got it I stripped it down completely, it was gummed up pretty good. I scrubbed everything with carb cleaner. The piston seal is new and the piston is normal. I've actually shot one in worse shape with no problems. The first time I took the barrell of, it was stuck. I had to tap it off with a brass drift and hammer. The part on the barrell that goes over the magazine tube where the gas posts are is a little egg shaped. I was told that might not give it the seal for the gas system to function 100%. Could it be that? If so how would I true it? I'm in now hurry and I love to know what makes things work. Squirrell season doesn't open until the 1st weekend of Oct.

[gunnut69]

The barrel ring should fit fairly closely. A round tapered steel rod can be inserted thru the ring which can then be hammered back to round. Great care must be exercised but it can be done.  If the gun's that filthy a good cleaning may solve the problem.  Short stroking is usually either poor use of gas pressure or mechanical waste of the energy of the gas piston, or of course some combo of the 2.  When cleaning check the ports in the barrel ring.  The need to be cleaned (carb cleaner or acetone and a pipe cleaner work best).  How badly is the ring deformed.  Perhaps try the weapon with a different barrel might give you wome insight..

[LaDano]

When I first brought it home, I stripped it down and cleaned it with carb cleaner. The ports are cleaned and open, I replaced the barrell seal with a new one. I slightly polished the piston and seal. It still wouldn't operate so I swapped barrells. Same thing with the other barrell, and I put my barrell on the other gun and it worked fine (I just remembered that). Anyway there is wear on the hammer, and on the disconnector were it pivots the intercepter latch. The action spring has been cleaned of all the gummed mess(it was bad). The tension feels Normal of my other 1100 from the past. Thanx

[gunnut69]

Did you check the chamber for rust.  Plastic shells ar really bad about causing rust in the chambers. It must be specifically looked for as looking down the barrel you will miss the chamber.  Look at an angle with a light directed onto the chamber wall. Is the carrier arms bent, any excessive wear..  It is evidently not the barrel so it must be somewhere in the action..  You did corectly lube the weapon prior to use?

[LaDano]

I've lightly lubed as always, and the carrier arms seem straight. Got me scratching my head, I can't aford to lose anymore hair. LOL

[victorcharlie]

So you've swapped the barrel with another gun, how about swapping the whole trigger assembly?

[LaDano]

I believe that's gonna be in 2 weeks when I go vist my parents. My dad has a few 1100's, thats where I swapped barrells. I got a feeling this ole girl is just about wore out. Just not counted out yet. Thanx