A recent trapshooting experience reminded me how much I love shooting the Remington 1100 family of shotguns.
The latest re-immersion occurred at the request of a neighbor who badgers me constantly to take him shotgunning. A U.S. Navy veteran who served aboard the aircraft carrier USS John Stennis, he recently graduated from nursing school and now works at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He wants to learn to hunt, which we will do this fall, and that means becoming proficient with a firearm. He has a Mossberg 500 12-gauge that I don't believe he shot until Friday, when we visited the Remington Gun Club for two rounds of trap. Auto Hose Connector
Two years ago, a friend at the end of his hunting career gave me his much abused Remington 11-87. The 11-87 is an updated version of the venerable Model 1100, with a modified gas system that enables it to cycle 3-inch loads. The 1100, which was made in 12-, 20-, 16- and 28-gauge, as well as .410 bore, only cycles 2 3/4-inch shells. I have 1100s in 12- and 28-gauge. I love them both, but the 28-gauge, with its Skeet barrel and mahogany stock, is sweeter than sugar and honey combined for doves. My 12-gauge has a modified barrel. To my everlasting regret, I had a 20-gauge Skeet B model that I let get away.
The 1100 set the standard for gas-operated semiautomatic shotguns for decades. Newer models have pushed them out of favor with hunters, but there is still not a more pleasant, more user-friendly gun to shoot. Best of all, I feel as if the 1100 and 11-87 were designed especially for somebody with my build. They fit me, and I shoot them well.
This 11-87 needed a lot of work. Its original owner used it primarily for waterfowl hunting. He used it a lot, and he used it hard. It spent the last 20 years as a guest gun at his lodge, as he had moved on to other brands. The gun had atrophied in its neglected state. Most of its camo finish is worn off. The bolt moved with great extreme resistance. The gas system and magazine tube were caked with thick carbon fouling that had hardened to stone. Having never been removed, the choke tube was possibly welded into the threads.
Over a weekend, I disassembled the gun to the extent necessary to rehabilitate it. A Remington 1100 shotgun is a simple design. Disassembly involves removing the barrel, the trigger assembly, and the bolt and plunger rod assemblies. I sprayed the gas assembly and magazine tube with brake cleaner. It loosens gunk from deep in the works, and it dries quickly.
Following the Brake Cleaner treatment was a bath in BreakFree, an effective carbon solvent. I dripped a healthy amount of Liquid Wrench into the choke tube area and let it seep into the threads for a day, refreshing.
The solvent softened the remaining carbon asphalt, and I scrubbed it away with a copper brush. With the asphalt removed, the works looked like any other semiauto. All gas guns have permanent scorch marks on the magazine tube from hot ignition gasses. I scrubbed it until my fingers did not feel a single burr or carbon grain. If I felt a burr, I buffed it out with fine steel wool.
I also sprayed BreakFree into the gas cylinder and scrubbed it with copper and nylon brushes. I rinsed and repeated until no more junk flowed from its components. Finally, I replaced the nylon O-ring, a 20-cent part that causes most of the 1100's problems.
After spraying the trigger assembly with brake cleaner, I bathed the trigger assembly with BreakFree overnight in an aluminum cake pan. It was astonishing the amount of carbon that migrated out of the trigger works. After scrubbing with a nylon brush, I removed the solvent and its pollutants with aerosol brake cleaner. I did this also with the bolt assembly and chamber. When I was done, the gun's interior was immaculate. I put a drop of high-quality gun oil on all the springs, races and joints.
Next was the choke tube. I was resigned to buying a new barrel, but I was going to try anyway. I placed a choke tube wrench in the slot tube slots and gripped the handle with my biggest pair of vise grips, which served as a cheater bar. The grip finally broke under hard, steady pressure, and the Modified RemChoke screwed out gently. I cleaned the tube threads and the barrel threads with solvent and a nylon brush, then sprayed out the gunk with brake cleaner. I applied a dab of choke tube grease on the RemChoke and replaced it.
Then I cleaned out the gas ports. They had been caked closed, but the solvent loosened the fouling sufficiently for removal with a tobacco pipe cleaner. Each pass was progressively easier until the passages cleared.
Finally, I gave the bore a proper cleaning until it gleamed.
At Remington Gun Club, I shot the gun for the first time. It functioned flawlessly. Scoring 17 and 16 I did not do it justice, but only because I didn't lead left to right targets far enough. The gun is a keeper, and it reminded me how much I love shooting the 1100 family of shotguns.
My neighbor thought trap would be easy, and he said so. I did not say otherwise. He would learn quick enough. Clay targets humbled him, but he embraces the challenge and is eager to improve.
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