Old Remington 1100 12Ga adding chokes?

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kilo69

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So I have a nice old remington 1100 that has a full fixed choke 28" barrel

I want to have a shotgun with chokes and I'm trying to figure out my options.

Looks like I have the following:
Buy a new barrel that can take chokes (Looks like $300+ new for that)
Tap my old barrel for chokes (Not sure the costs here have to find out)
Leave it alone and get another shotgun with chokes.

This 1100 was my first gun I ever bought... so I really do enjoy shooting it.

Should I look at tapping it's current barrel?
 
I have one with a 30" full barrel. Love the gun. I've kicked around the idea of having it threaded as well. Then thought that maybe I would just open it up a bit. New barrel was $350 like you've already found out. In the end, I really don't need to change it. I think it's just more of a "want" to change it. All I really use it for is clay targets. Unless you're wanting to take up skeet, full or slightly bigger is fine. Slugs probably aren't great for it either, but can be shot out of it. I would leave it.
 
For shooting steel waterfowl loads, max choke is typically modified or at most improved modified. Another option would be to have the fixed choke reamed to these constrictions.

That the barrel is not threaded for removeable chokes suggests to me that it is of a age that makes it 2 3/4" and not rated for steel shot.

At that point you must choose whether any sentimental value equates to: a) selling it and buying what you want in another gun. or b) spending more money than a) when you consider the original price and the price for threading.

No one can make that choice for you. Some more knowledgeable members might be able to give you a ballpark dollar amount and business.
 
You don't say what you use the gun for?

If it is waterfowl, then have it opened to 0.715".

If it is upland shooting, then have it opened to 0.725".

The cost is generally $50/barrel.

If you need a reference on who to send it to, send me a PM.

I would buy a new barrel before I would ream it for chokes. But, really opening your barrel for a fixed choke will be sufficient. When you factor in shipping both ways, though, you might be able to find a used barrel for not much more.
 
I had an 870 Barrel done at Epps. It started out as a 30 inch full VR. I had it cut to 27 inch, Remchoke pattern. I went with 27 because with an extended choke it came out to 28 inch. Cost 100.00$. The only stipulation is you have to cut out all the old choke in order to thread.
 
hoytcanon said:
You don't say what you use the gun for?

If it is waterfowl, then have it opened to 0.715".

If it is upland shooting, then have it opened to 0.725".

The cost is generally $50/barrel.

If you need a reference on who to send it to, send me a PM.

I would buy a new barrel before I would ream it for chokes. But, really opening your barrel for a fixed choke will be sufficient. When you factor in shipping both ways, though, you might be able to find a used barrel for not much more.
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well i have no plans for waterfowl hunting. I raise meat ducks anyway. I would like to use it for upland though.

I do have a sporting clays range 5 mins from the house. I took it once and it did ok but the full choke made close shots damn hard to hit. I dont have the time or budget to get full bore into clays but it being so close it would be nice to have something I could use if I wanted to.
 
kilo69 said:
well i have no plans for waterfowl hunting. I raise meat ducks anyway. I would like to use it for upland though.

I do have a sporting clays range 5 mins from the house. I took it once and it did ok but the full choke made close shots damn hard to hit. I dont have the time or budget to get full bore into clays but it being so close it would be nice to have something I could use if I wanted to.
Click to expand...

It is not a big deal to have choke tubes fitted in a old 1100 nor is it that expensive. I will send you a PM of a member here that fits colonial thin walls and he is even in our province
Cheers

update
PM sent
 
ianthomson said:
The only stipulation is you have to cut out all the old choke in order to thread.
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I don't know if this is what you meant, but it makes it sound like the barrel has to be cut off to remove the choke... this is not the case... the barrel will be reamed to cylinder and then threaded for chokes... a thin-wall tube system is a must... most will use Tru-choke thin wall tubes. If you can get it done for $100 then go for it... that is a very good price for the amount of work.
 
hoytcanon said:
I don't know if this is what you meant, but it makes it sound like the barrel has to be cut off to remove the choke... this is not the case... the barrel will be reamed to cylinder and then threaded for chokes... a thin-wall tube system is a must... most will use Tru-choke thin wall tubes. If you can get it done for $100 then go for it... that is a very good price for the amount of work.
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$100 is normally with just one choke tube since thin walls run about 40 bucks plus if purchased alone. That is at least from my experiences and I have had a couple vintage 1100's, 870's and superx1's done now
Cheers
 
Claven2 said:
Can you shoot steel through Tru-chokes? Or are they lead only?
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All depends on what model they fit all others yes except what the call the small diameter ones. Those are NO
That being said I have never seen a vintage fixed 1100 etc with tru-choke fitted down this way. Most are colonial or briley thin walls or at least the ones I have that have been done and there has to be at least 1/2 dozen barrels here fitted

Tru-choke SMALL DIAMETER CHOKES:
All small diameter 12 ga. chokes are available in stainless steel and may not be used with steel shot. This choke system is usually installed in barrels with outside diameters of .805 to .825.
 
If your barrel is a 2 3/4" full, it is quite popular with trap shooters . You may be able to trade for something more friendly to your needs.
 
OP....most thin wall tubes are not recommended for use with steel shot, but since you are not interested in waterfowling, that shouldn't be an issue. I have an 1100 and an 870 both threaded for Tru-choke thin wall tubes... The barrels were too thin for regular tubes.
 
hoytcanon said:
OP....most thin wall tubes are not recommended for use with steel shot, but since you are not interested in waterfowling, that shouldn't be an issue. I have an 1100 and an 870 both threaded for Tru-choke thin wall tubes... The barrels were too thin for regular tubes.
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That is not true any more. 20 years ago yes if would agree now it is just a matter of what design you pick
My brileys are titanium thin walls fine for steel shot but they must state steel shot on the tube since some even titaniums are lead only and I have colonial supersteel they are called in some guns
It is just important to make sure you buy the right one depending on what plans you have for the firearm since yes some are lead only but not MOST any more from what I have seen since the market today is more refitting old guns to shoot steel not lead only
Cheers
 
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3macs1 said:
That is not true any more. 20 years ago yes if would agree now it is just a matter of what design you pick
My brileys are titanium thin walls fine for steel shot but they must state steel shot on the tube since some even titaniums are lead only and I have colonial supersteel they are called in some guns
It is just important to make sure you buy the right one depending on what plans you have for the firearm since yes some are lead only but not MOST any more from what I have seen since the market today is more refitting old guns to shoot steel not lead only
Cheers
Click to expand...

I reiterate; "most" thin wall tubes are not recommended for steel shot... in the more open constructions, you can probably get away with it... but I wouldn't attempt F or IM or even Mod when the manufacturer won't stand behind the practice.
 
hoytcanon said:
I reiterate; "most" thin wall tubes are not recommended for steel shot... in the more open constructions, you can probably get away with it... but I wouldn't attempt F or IM or even Mod when the manufacturer won't stand behind the practice.
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What ever. They are out there if one wants them, more types every year that passes . Just not in what you are familiar with using which is fine

If one does their home work they can easily get what they need even for steel shot. Yes they run maybe 20 bucks a tube or more than standard lead ones but they are readily available. Even the barrels with no extra meat in them that could not be fitted before they can fit an extended style now thin wall spectrums where the choke is really out side the barrel like the colonial super steels from what I seen. Once Briley have the barrel they will give you the options and can do magic in old gun barrels from my experiences with them. They have done vintage fixed choke 10ga, 16, 28, 410's for me which I never thought could have choke tubes but all do now. Most 12ga I have had done in canada and never did a 20ga so far
In fact there was an old 1100 just last week on the EE fitted with the colonial supersteel thin wall tubes
Cheers

One example
Briley Thin Wall Flush Choke

If you have a Briley Tube the bore size may be marked on the side of your tube set. Choke constrictions from Cylinder to Extra Full, in .005 inches (.127mm) increments let you precisely match your load to the shooting conditions. Choke site flush into the barrel, and choke features highly polished interior for less pellet deformation; reduced fliers and tighter patterns. Knurled grasping band speeds installation and removal. Our Vasco (VX), or All shot type thin wall chokes can handle all type shot, while the lead/bismuth only chokes are only suitable for lead and bismuth.

another
COLONIAL THIN WALL CHOKE TUBES (SUPER STEEL)
$29.43
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Colonial's tough blued steel extended choke tube is designed to take steel shot abuse, so your barrel doesn't. Steel shot may bulge even the toughest, thickest shotgun barrel at the choke, gradually destroying not only pattern density but the barrel itself. Plus, the battering also jams the choke tube threads into the barrel threads, making removal extremely difficult. Our solution to the problem is Super Steel tubes with the choke beyond the barrel. Made in the USA...

But hey I am no expert on these so best check with the manufacturer. Just an old dude that probaly has more types and styles than the average bear. Here is my box of extras I don't use on a regular basis :)
 
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It appears my shares in Briley will continue to preform well.
Thank you guys and especially you too 3macs :)
Sometimes a simple question isnt really all that easy to answer with the many variables one has to factor in when doing something to their firearm.
It gets really interesting when the gun is passed down the family lines or sold to the next new owner .
Lots to learn...lots for sure.
Thanks for the information guys.
Rob
 
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