Thanks so much for the info guys. Saturday morning I ended up buying a brand spanking new Beretta AL391 Teknys Gold Trap (12ga.) w/30" barrel. I debated over and over which gun to get. I was way confused and not sure enough to pull the trigger on a specific gun. The Remington 1100 Classic Trap was always on the top of my list, actually the 1100 Competition Target (not available until Spring of 2006) was #1 on the list even though I felt it was more then I wanted to spend.
Here is a pic of the Beretta AL391 Teknys Gold Trap:
I spent hours upon hours researching, way too much time, but did learn alot. I was fortunate enough to be able to shoot and examine several guns with differing actions and price ranges. I did not get to shoot an 1100 but did shoot an 11-87 Premier Target. I also was lucky enough to be able to speak to several very cool 95%+ shooters and competitors for about 2 hours.
I ended up spending much more then I originally wanted to and ended up buying a gun I never even knew existed. As an FYI here are the reasons I ended up buying a Beretta AL391 Teknys Gold Trap instead of a Remington 1100 Classic Trap:
* Every 95%+ competitor I spoke to recommended the 391. Not necessarily the top end competition trap model I purchased, just a 391 sporting or target model. These guys and gals either owned one, or told me, "if I was to start all over, the 391 is the gun I would buy". Some of these shooters were shooting dedicated trap guns from $4K to $14K.
* The Beretta 391 is one of the few semi-autos that can be outfitted with a recoil/hydrolic system. The Remington semi-autos will not support a recoil system, not enough room in the stock. By the way, only the Gra-coil system will work. Gra-coil system requires the least amount of space and can be fitted into the stock of a Beretta 391. This option is extremly important to me, I am recoil sensitive after awhile. Main reason I ruled out an O/U (the other is too pricey for the ones I liked).
* The Beretta 391 has a nicer trigger right out of the box. With some polishing, the 391 trigger is heaven!
* Very similar to the 1100 Competition Target I originally wanted.
* With a Mercury recoil reducer on the mag tube (basically weighing the gun down a bit strategically) the swing feels closer to the O/U then the Remington I shot.
* Suppose to be bullet proof if well kept.
* $500 more for mods/accessories (Fully adjustable Gra-Coil system, Angle Porting, Mercury front weight, Trigger Shoe, trigger polishing/tuning) and I have my complete dream trap gun. I will follow the advice that was given to me, "shoot the 391 for a bit then decide what to modify or change".
I wanted a gun that could be totally adjustable to fit me, swings and shoots smooth, can change the barrel to better suit a different discipline of shooting and have the lowest recoil possible. I have two James Russell books in-route to me (Trap Shooting Secrets and Precision Shooting: The Trap Shooter's Bible) and will soon be ready to learn how to shoot Trap!
cdc