Remington Model 11

[magnum8898]

I inherited a Remington Model 11 in 20 gauge. It was from a short uncle so the stock was cut down. Metal wise it looks clean and well cared for. Doesn't appear to have much wear. Remington claims there are no parts for it and I understand that you need to switch buffers around depending on shotshell power. My question is, should I keep this around for my son as a starter shotgun or sell it to a collector and use the proceeds to buy a Remington 870 youth that I saw for sale on this sites. Opine away

[bjl333]

The 11 would make a decent starter gun for your son. It'll kick a little less then the 870. They are good guns, the value isn't high. The cut stock wouldn't affect the value much. Keep it and shoot it.

[DisgruntledReaper]

Far as I know the Rem 11, Browning A5 and Savage ALL made versions of this shotgun...so if more informed people chime in, you MAY be able to use parts from /for a browning A5 may work...but I have never owned one, just doing research into getting a 12ga model to add a mag ext tube and make an old school tactical semi auto......all mech action, no gas op parts involved,no seals,etc....

Enjoy it..

[Nihonto Chicken]

Model 11s are nice!

I understand that you need to switch buffers around depending on shotshell power. My question is, should I keep this around for my son as a starter shotgun or sell it to a collector and use the proceeds to buy a Remington 870 youth that I saw for sale on this sites. Opine away

With the cut stock your Model 11 loses a lot of its collectability (even more if it's had a choke added), but it is a fine shotgun and should work well for your son. It has a fiber buffer riveted in the back of the receiver to cushion the blows from the bolt to preclude receiver or bolt cracking, but the Browning A-5 and Savage 720 (two other examples of JMBrowning's auto design) do not utilize such a buffer. The M11 buffer can wear out over time, and is only replaceable by a gunsmith with decent experience in this gun (it's relatively difficult to tear down and put back together again, wasn't really intended to be detail stripped by the owner). With moderate loads there should be no problem. What you may be thinking about are the friction rings on the mag tube, which are user friendly. There are two major positions for these, one for low base and the other for high base loads. Here's a link to one explanation (you can google others):

http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/remington_11.htm

One caution is that the older model 11s have the safety inside the trigger guard, which is sometimes referred to as a "suicide safety" (though an error in operation would be more dangerous to others than the operator, I imagine). Later models have a cross bolt safety behind the trigger guard and might be preferable for a beginning shooter.

Sarco and Numrich carry a number of parts for the Model 11. Note that with an inertial system, there is no gas fouling to worry about. The Model 11 is generally considered to be a fine shotgun that with decent care and moderate loads can last generations.

[magnum8898]

Thanks for the quick response. I will keep it and continue on teaching my son skills. He hits the targets with the 22 single shot. Still can't throw the horse shoes the full distance, getting there though. Got to work on these important skills.

[para-frame]

The Model 11's are great guns, replacement stocks can cost as much as the gun is worth so if that was your worry, sorry. What was said about the fiber buffer is true but I disagree that they are difficult to detail strip, if you can change your own spark plugs then stripping down a M11 is within your realm. Remember to set the recoil system correctly, all most all the people that complain about the recoil of these guns don't know how to set them correctly. M11s are just amazing pieces of machinery and are lightyears ahead in fit and finish over a new Remington, especially the expresses.
If it has the safety in the trigger guard then just remember/teach to set the safety before loading and don't touch the safety until you are on target, if you need to unload, just unload with the safety on.