The Remington Model 1100 was introduced in the early 1960's and it was the first modern, successful, gas operated shotgun. It also had a receiver machined from a billet of solid steel, which gave it a leg up on most competing designs, and still does.

It's a sleek and streamlined repeater with a lot of eye appeal. You could call the deluxe, walnut stocked versions the best looking repeating shotguns ever made and get no argument from me. Almost from the beginning the Model 1100 was a hit with shooters, and Remington had a best seller on their hands.

The 1100 popularized gas operation and dramatically demonstrated its subjective recoil reducing capability. By lowering the maximum amplitude of the gun's recoil and spreading it over a longer period of time the sensation of "kick" is reduced. The Model 1100 quickly became the first choice of U.S. skeet shooters, which was the beginning of what was to become a very successful competitive career that is still going strong. More skeet records have been set with Model 1100's than with any other shotgun.

Soon the Model 1100 was appearing in substantial numbers on trap ranges, where it ushered in the modern age of semi-auto trap guns and, later, on sporting clays courses. Competitive shooters may shoot literally hundreds of shells a day, and the effect of recoil is cumulative, so the 1100 had a built-in market among aficionados of the clay target sports.

And, of course, the sleek Remington also became the best selling semi-auto hunting shotgun in North America. Hunters who favor high brass and magnum loads particularly appreciated its recoil attenuating operation.

In the late 1980's Remington introduced an improved version of the Model 1100 called the Model 11-87. No doubt the 11-87 was intended eventually to replace the Model 1100, as the Model 1100 line was reduced in scope and numbers over the next several years. But shooters simply would not allow the 1100 to fade away. Voting with their dollars, they continued to purchase Model 1100's. By the beginning of the 21st Century, Remington accepted the inevitable and, while retaining the Model 11-87 in the line, again expanded the Model 1100 line.

In 2005 Model 1100 shotguns are available in several variations, for both field and competition shooting. Most commonly seen is probably the Classic Field. This model comes in 16 and 20 gauge with a walnut stock, ventilated rib barrel with Rem Choke tubes, and polished blue metal finish.

Model 1100 Competition guns feature a highly polished blued metal finish, semi-fancy walnut stock with a high gloss finish, and light contour (except in 28 and .410 gauge) ventilated rib barrels with special Rem choke tubes and twin bead sights. Models include the Tournament Skeet (12 and 20 gauge), Classic Trap (12 gauge), and Sporting (12, 20, 28, and .410). Model 1100's remain among the most popular of all competition autoloaders.

All Model 1100s with synthetic stocks have been discontinued for 2005. The 1100 is once again a deluxe shotgun stocked only in genuine walnut. Remington Model 1100 shotguns are handsome and versatile shotguns that their owners can be proud to own. They are classics that have stood the test of time.

Note: Two reviews of Model 1100 Sporting 20 shotguns can be found on the Product Reviews page.