Remington 1100 20g help

[my66quick]

I have a Remington 1100 20g that I picked up used over 20 years ago. From what I can find with my very weak google-fu, is that it was manufactured around 1992. It is a lightweight 3" magnum. My question is, can I buy a different barrel that will cycle standard, non magnum, loads? I haven't shot it in many years and now my son is getting old enough to start using it, but he's pretty small for his age, so magnum loads may be a little much for him, not to mention the price difference. The reciever is stamped magnum, but I've been told that the gas port in the barrel is what determines whether or not it will cycle lighter loads. I'd really like to get him shooting it with standard loads if possible. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Reno-Kid]

I'm in the same situation Rem 1100 Mag 20 gauge.

This is what I found.

https://www.trapshooters.com/threads/remington-1100-3-mag-barrel-vs-2-3-4-barrel.912526/

Get a new barrel which shoots 2 3/4, and shoot 2 3/4 loads.
Avoid shooting 3 inch loads in 2 3/4 barrel. Big no no.

Better choice is simply selling the Remington and getting a Mossberg 500 pump in 20.

[RNE228]

What does the manual say about 2-3/4 loads? If you don't have one, you can get it online.

The other question, have you tried it with some non-magnum loads to see if it cycles?

[RNE228]

Disagree; shoot 1100 and 870. The 1100 is much nicer to shoot. The pump is reliable but the semi shoots smoother and softer.

Better choice is simply selling the Remington and getting a Mossberg 500 pump in 20.

[sigstroker]

I've had more than 1 shotgun that's 3" capable, and I've never shot a 3" shell.

[my66quick]

I'm in the same situation Rem 1100 Mag 20 gauge.

This is what I found.

https://www.trapshooters.com/threads/remington-1100-3-mag-barrel-vs-2-3-4-barrel.912526/

Get a new barrel which shoots 2 3/4, and shoot 2 3/4 loads.
Avoid shooting 3 inch loads in 2 3/4 barrel. Big no no.

Better choice is simply selling the Remington and getting a Mossberg 500 pump in 20.

Thanks. The info in that thread pretty much confirms what I was thinking. I'll see about finding a barrel.

What does the manual say about 2-3/4 loads? If you don't have one, you can get it online.

The other question, have you tried it with some non-magnum loads to see if it cycles?

Yes, I've tried 2 3/4. They basically turn it into a bolt action.

[my66quick]

I've had more than 1 shotgun that's 3" capable, and I've never shot a 3" shell.

The issue isn't so much about the length of the shell, it's that non-magnum loads don't have enough energy to cycle the action.

[G-forceJunkie]

If you don't plan on shooting mags out of it ever, you can probably have the gas port opened up to cycle the lighter loads. That was a typical mod by Vang Comp when he did 11/87 Police barrels to shoot the low recoil LEO buckshot reliably.

[Reno-Kid]

The issue isn't so much about the length of the shell, it's that non-magnum loads don't have enough energy to cycle the action.

Yup. Also to note if you shoot 2 3/4 loads from a magnum, you will need a gas seal ring. Hopefully someone will chime in on this.

[k1dude]

IIRC, no new barrels for the aftermarket are available for the 1100 and haven't been since Remington went bankrupt. Unless you can find a used one, you're out of luck.