Technoid:
You write, “I owned six 1100s and shot four of them to bits. They were nice shooting guns, but didn’t hold up even remotely as well as the Berettas when shot a great deal. ”
When you are doing your crapping on Remington thing, why do seem to always leave out the part, “maybe if I had replaced the recoil spring every 10,000 rounds they would have lasted longer.” That was your statement, correct????
How is it that most of you big time shotgun experts can remember exactly how many shells and in which gun they were shot over the last 30 years, but cleaning the tools of your trade is too much effort.
D B
Dear D B,
I remember exactly how many shells I fire because I keep a log book and have done so since the early ’70s. I have a little stack of 30 notebooks now. Reading them by the fireside in the off-season keeps me out of the bars.
My gun cleaning habits aren’t perfect, I’m the first to admit that, but over time I’ve learned what keeps gas guns running. Part of that learning experience was figuring out that a new mainspring is good insurance. Fresh mainsprings every now and then might have kept my 1100s from beating themselves to death as quickly as they did. That said, everyone I knew who competed with 1100s in the ’70s and ’80s carried a little tool box full of spare parts. There’s no need for that with the Berettas.
I certainly don’t mean to pick on Remington, but the truth is the truth. They flat out don’t last as long as the Beretta autos do. At least that’s my experience and the experience of those shooters I’ve observed over the years. I don’t so much mine the little parts like rings, extractor claws, bolts, action bars and links breaking, but when the receivers crack or the magazine tubes shoot off, it’s over for that 1100. Perhaps your experience is different. If you’ve found a way to make the 1100s stand up as well as the Berettas, I’d love to hear about it and share your expertise with the other readers.
I do wish Remington would modernize their gun, but they don’t seem inclined. The 1100s came out in the early ’60s and hasn’t changed significantly since that time. It’s a nicely balanced, soft shooting gun, but it does eat parts. On the other hand, Beretta has gone to great lengths to keep their guns technologically current. Beretta now dominates the clay target market the way Remington did 35 years ago. There’s a reason for that.
Best regards,
Bruce Buck
The Technoid writing for Shotgun Report, LLC
(Often in error. Never in doubt.)
Shotgun Report® 
I really do like the way that you respond to questions, even this one.
Greetings from South Africa.
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Like Bruce I shot Remington 1100s for 35+ years. In fact all of my competitive skeet and trap shooting was done with Remington 1100s exclusively. I always took a matched pair of 1100s with me to the event as one would often break a part and rather then tear it down and replace the part, I would grab the other gun. I also carried a small tool box with extra parts and tools to make repairs in the field if necessary. If you shot an 1100 much, this was a way of life. Note: I kept my guns spotless and they very seldom malfunctioned. Unlike Bruce I changed my 1100’s recoil spring annually and still had many parts break.
I switched to Berettas in the mid 90s and have never looked back. They don’t eat parts, and they are easily adjusted to fit most any shooter. I too keep records of my shooting and find the Berettas malfunction once in a while but not nearly as often as the 1100s did. They do not eat parts. My favorite 391 has over 50,000 rounds through it currently and has never let me down. I change the recoil spring every 3 years or 10000 rounds. I now shoot sporting clays regularly with a group of guys many of which shot 1100s. Not one person in my groups shoots 1100s. All of us who shoot semi-autos have switched to Berettas.
I realize my opinion is based upon my experiences with both products. Not only did I shoot as often as I could, I also earned my living for 20+ years working on firearms first as gunsmith with Browning Arms and subsequently as a Police Firearms Instructor and Department Armorer. In short, I do not regret in any way switching to Berettas. If Remington ever brings out a gun comparable to 303, 391 or 400, and it is made in the USA, I would consider switching back. But until that time I’ll stick with my Berettas. Side Note: While I no longer shoot 1100s, if my life is threatened, my first thought will be to grab my Remington 870. For self defense the Remington 870 is very hard to beat.
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Bruce – I too have experience target shooting both Remington and Beretta autos and I agree with your analysis. Unfortunately, speaking the truth often upsets people, but that’s no reason to stop. I appreciate your candor. Yours is one of the few places to get an unbiased opinion. Please keep up the good work. Randy H.
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