One shotgun for all?

I shoot with a fellow with one of those comp 1100's and every time he shoots doubles it inevitably shows that one thing has not changed. No matter how much lipstick you put on an 1100 it's still an 1100 meaning you are going to have fte's and jams. I have owned several 1100's from bone stock to completely tricked out in every gauge and every single one of them always left me broken down in need of a parts change or jammed in the middle of a shoot. I will admit they point nice, handle great, have nice classic lines and looks and crush targets well but the reliability factor is low. I have not owned one since around '90-'91 and never will again, nor would I recommend one. Just my opinion.
 
Again, thanks for all the input. I'm doing something I don't normally do, I'm procrastinating. Shouldering a gun while standing at the shop counter is one thing, actually shooting it is another. But I'm preaching to the choir here. I'm going to have to spend more time to beg, borrow but not steal a few guns to try out. Then narrow it down to one or two.

Edit: Considering how long 1100's have been around, one would think reliability or lack thereof wouldn't be an issue.
 
Claybuster said:
No need to explain anything. The individual who is trolling your thread has never posted in this forum previously and is demonstrating that he is well out of his depth in a discussion about shotguns, clay target shooting or basic physics.

In the meantime, are you any closer to a decision?
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As I thought, pile up is due to cliquey nature of gun owners... 'has never posted in this forum'... coming from one of the most arrogant, argumentative trolls on CGN, thanks!
 
StoneHorse said:
Again, thanks for all the input. I'm doing something I don't normally do, I'm procrastinating. Shouldering a gun while standing at the shop counter is one thing, actually shooting it is another. But I'm preaching to the choir here. I'm going to have to spend more time to beg, borrow but not steal a few guns to try out. Then narrow it down to one or two.
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I think you are on the right track.

If you have a chance to try for size, or at the range.

Browning Maxus, Beretta 400 are both gas guns. Benelli SBE is an excellent semi, but is innertia driven, and may kick little more.
Remington Versamax had some issues when it first came out, but it has had been sorted out since, and recent models seem to shoot just fine.
 
StoneHorse said:
Again, thanks for all the input. I'm doing something I don't normally do, I'm procrastinating. Shouldering a gun while standing at the shop counter is one thing, actually shooting it is another. But I'm preaching to the choir here. I'm going to have to spend more time to beg, borrow but not steal a few guns to try out. Then narrow it down to one or two.

Edit: Considering how long 1100's have been around, one would think reliability or lack thereof wouldn't be an issue.
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There's a difference between procrastinating and making a deliberate, thoughtful decision. My last new shotgun purchase was a 3 month process from beginning to end that involved trying and shooting several different versions of the same gun.

Nothing beats shooting the model of gun you are considering. Often a gun I've admired became less interesting when I shot it and vice versa. Most clay target shooters are pretty good about letting someone try a few rounds if they show an interest in their gun.
 
You're right, the 1100 design has been around for awhile and all of the older ones I have had never gave me any problems but I know people who cursed them because they were less than reliable !

As to ironing the kinks out of the design for reliability issues: bear in mind that in recent years, to maintain profitability, corners have been cut. I have compared the new Remington's to the older ones and while I wouldn't hesitate to recommend an older one I would really have to not like someone to suggest a new one !!! This is not a Remington only issue, compare a new Ruger 10/22 to an older one or a new BT99 to an older one and you'll see what I mean.

I also have a torn up shoulder so I'm more recoil sensitive than I used to be but I've found that a proper fitting O/U does not pound me any more than a semi-auto.
 
Claybuster said:
There's a difference between procrastinating and making a deliberate, thoughtful decision. My last new shotgun purchase was a 3 month process from beginning to end that involved trying and shooting several different versions of the same gun.
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Point taken. No need to rush. I want to get it right the first time.
BJP said:
You're right, the 1100 design has been around for awhile and all of the older ones I have had never gave me any problems but I know people who cursed them because they were less than reliable !
As to ironing the kinks out of the design for reliability issues: bear in mind that in recent years, to maintain profitability, corners have been cut.
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Another example of "They don't build them like they use to."
 
BJP said:
You're right, the 1100 design has been around for awhile and all of the older ones I have had never gave me any problems but I know people who cursed them because they were less than reliable!
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I've owned a couple of 1100s. One was reliable, the other was a nightmare. The 1100 requires regular cleaning to stay running and it is a good idea to have spare parts on hand. On the plus side the 1100 was a very easy gun to to take down for cleaning

Part of the problem though was confusion between the 1100 and 11/87. Both guns appear virtually identical but the 1100 is the target version while the 11/87 is set up for heavier magnum loads and didn't always function reliably with lighter shells. Remington added to the confusion by producing some 11/87 target versions and "magnum" versions of the 1100.

The modern manifestation of this confusion comes when people recommend 3-1/2" chambered shotguns for clay target shooting. An indication that someone doesn't know what they are talking about is if they recommend the Remington Versamax, Benelli SBE II or the Browning Maxus or Beretta A400 without specifying the 3" models.
 
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yes, I've seen more than a few people with 3 1/2" chambered guns that were surprised when they wouldn't cycle 2 3/4" target loads (despite the manufacturer hype about their special design that will cycle everything !).

My current 20 Ga 1100 has been with me for the last 21 years and it has never once given me any kind of trouble. It's semi-retired now that my son is shooting an O/U but it's had over 15K trouble free target loads through it.
 
I have owned an A400, aSBE2, a couple of SX-3s, and I have shot several 1100s, and a couple of Maxus shotguns. If I was forced to use a 12 gauge semi auto for all of mt shotgunning, it would be an SX-3, because even though I much prefer other gauges and action types. my SX-3s fit me, and they have never given me any issues if fed decent ammunition. I would however purchase a 3" version, because no matter what I fed my 3" gun, it never failed to function, whereas the 3-1/2" version did have the odd issue with the cheap Winchester target loads.
 
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