1100 vs 11-87

The early 12 gauge 1100s into the 1970s range did not have the glass reinforcement in the fore end. Then they added that feature at receiver end of the fore end.

Thanks for the clarification V-n-LA.

...but your explanation means this antique shooter owns antique shotguns. :o
 
Owned several 1100s, still have an 11-87 I can't seem to unload, but I would look at a Versa-Max. For a few hundreds more, you can have the state of the art with an increase in durability, longevity and reliability, plus less recoil.
I will grant the VersaMax has more flexibility and will probably go longer between a quick 5 minute spray and wipe cleaning, but I will dispute all the other claims. I have shot both, and this is not saying anything against the VersaMax. If they come out with a wooden stocked blued version I may get a VersaMax. If I can overlook the drilled and tapped receiver (barf!).
 
Show me an 1100 that can go 2500 rounds with NO cleaning.

Show me an 1100 that can go 30K with NO parts changes.

Show me an 1100 that can go 30K with NO malfunctions.

There is just no comparison between the two! VersaMax shotguns do all of the above. It would be a 1 in 1,000,000 1100 that can keep up with the VM.

Consider, if you will the evolution of the 1100 as compared to the VM. The 1100 is a many times worked over action that was orginally a manual. The 1100 LOCKS open at every shot and then the bolt is released, by stamped metal parts, due to impact of the shell hitting the release.

I can understand the desire for blue and wood, but that is window dressing and the two platforms are not even in the same league.
 
i have seven 1100-1187,s and i like them as they do work(even if i have to clean them every couple hunderd rounds),but i have a 410,28gs,20ga,16ga,12ga and two 1187,s in 12ga.and i can get all the parts i might need in 24 hours(if they just plain break down). i have had no need for any parts except a o-ring once a year. and thats after thousands of rounds from low brass to 3" mags shells. and none of then cost over 550.00 when i got them,some used and some new. i heard the versamax is a italian shotgun with a remington name stamped on it. eastbank. ps i hope people buy it as i then can maybe their old used 1100-1187,s for parts just in case..
 
The VM is a US shotgun with a close copy of the Benelli M4 operating system and a better gas system. You can swap several Benelli parts straight across. Benelli let their patent expire. :D
 
MarkCO-

I'm a deadbeat when it comes to cleaning shotguns... felt guilty because I let my 11-87 go 325 or so rounds between cleanings last summer, when we were shooting lots of clay birds. Going 2500 rounds w/o cleaning any shotgun, regardless of action type, is incomprehensible to me.
 
Show me an 1100 that can go 2500 rounds with NO cleaning

Nope!

Not gonna do it. Take better care of my guns then that.

Show me an 1100 that can go 2500 rounds with NO cleaning.

Show me an 1100 that can go 30K with NO parts changes.

Show me an 1100 that can go 30K with NO malfunctions.

Not wanting to start a brand war or even an in depth discussion on the subject but...
I don't think there's a brand of gun made that a guarantee such as the above can be put on every one produced.

Just sayin...
 
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The VM I use in competition has 6500 rounds through it. Never cleaned the gas system or barrel, because there is no need. The trigger group and bolt carrier group has been cleaned and relubed 3 times. 1100s NEED it, the VM does not. I enjoy spending my time and money pulling the trigger, not babying a shotgun that can't hack it. That one is just year old though. Not abuse, just reality.

Buy an inferior weapon system and baby it, or a state of the art system and use it? Simple answer for me based on what I want to do with my shotguns.
 
An 1100 holds the record for going the longest without issues and no cleaning - over 24,000 rounds. It is in Guiness if you doubt me. I have no idea what kind of shells they were shooting. I have gone up to 200 with absolutely filthy Blue Dot reloads, maybe 400 otherwise. But, I clean any gun after i shoot it, whether 1 shell or hundreds, particularly any gas operated auto. I am not talking a detail cleaning but at least a less than 5 minute spray and wipe of the gas parts. When I get too lazy to do that you can throw the dirt in on me.
I broke an extractor on my 1963 Model 1100 in 1982 at a round count of about 92,000. Round count is now over 115,000 with no other failures. I know a guy who has over 200,000 thru his, and he did break an action bar a few years ago. I have had no failures of any kind on 12 others I have owned. I have fixed a lot of issues on other people's 1100s. What's the difference? I don't know for sure, but I have an idea.
The biggest enemy of any self loading shotgun is the nut on the back of the stock.
The newest 1100s have a new carrier that will allow one to cycle shells thru the action just by working the bolt. I am ordering a couple of old carriers because I like that the action locks back after every manual pull back.
 
i break my 1100,s down for a quick cleaning at 600 or so rounds and like the above poster said(five to 10 minutes) at most,at one year i take the trigger group out and clean it and add a new o-ring needed or not. most of my shells are loaded on two mec 9000,s, a G and GH. 90 percent of the shells are loaded with 17grs red dot, CB wads and winchester 209 primers. if you need a part for a versamax how long would it take to get them? i can get any part for a 1100 in at most 2 days,and all the extra goodies i want,barrels,stocks ect at very good prices.the remington 1100 may not be for every body,but their are enough to make remington bring it back after stopping production. FADS COME AND GO. eastbank.
 
The words "Remington", "shotgun", "shot gun", "1100" and "rounds without cleaning" do not appear in any of Guniess' online published records. You can search here.
 
Outside of military or end of the world situations I see no real significance in the "This gun will go 5000 rounds with no cleaning" I'm sure you can find 15 minutes in your life to clean your shotgun after a trip to the range.

The only real difference between the two is the 1100 is only chambered for 2.75 shells. The 1100 Magnum can take 3".
The 11-87 on the other hand can all take up to 3" and the 11-87 Super Mag will take up to 3.5".

The more important thing to me would be the 11-87 has a self regulating gas system. With the 1100 you have to switch barrels with different size gas ports when you shoot different power loads. The 11-87 will swallow a wider variety of loads with less screwing around.

Just look at which one Remington uses for their Police model. Should tell you something right there.
 
Yep, the Versa-Max R12 will be the Police model going forward in 2014. :D

The Army Marksmanship Unit already has already switched to the Versa-max.
 
You do not have to switch barrels for different loads within chamber size on an 1100. You may have some difficulties with mouse fart handloads, but so will an 11-87 and a lot of other semis without taking extra steps.
 
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