I have 1100Rem. 12ga that chamberd for 2 3/4 inch shells if I buy a new barrel that is chambered for 3inch shells will it work on my gun or is the action to short to kick out the shells.thanks.

SHORTMAG---

The shell stop timing and position of the ejector is different, but some will shoot them anyhow.

You don't need to buy a new barrel. I convert these fairly frequently. Recut (lengthen) the chamber; you also get the added benefit of a lengthened forcing cone too because the reamer cuts both at the same time. Change the ejector & adjust the gas port. pinch down or close off one of the gas ports. This part is trail & error because every damn 1100 has its own idiosyncrasy, BUT after this is done the gun might NOT function with light loads.

JBelk, Bear Claw
Just to be clear ya'll are saying that the 1100 2 3/4" receiver is the same and as strong as the 3"?
If so, is the same true for the 870?
You really have the wheels a spin'in now.

bluetick---

In all post-war Remington pumps and autos, rifles and shotguns, the receiver does NOTHING but hold the parts in alignment. There's no strength needed past that. The locking mechanizm is in the bolt and the recesses are in the barrel extension.

there is a differnece in the ejection port of the different 870s. There is a nifty shell catcher for the 1100, that hangs over the bottom edge of the ejection port and clips under the botom edge of the reciver. It catches the rim of the shell and it sticks out of the ejection port. This is very nice when only single shots are need. I tried it on my 870mag and the distance between the bottom of the ejecton port and then bottom of the reciver is too short for the shell catcher to attach properly.

But this does not mean that the 1100 does not have enough clearance for 3" shells. The ejection port clearance is one of the factors that would cause the conversion to be tempermental.

It's true that the bolt locks up on the rear of the barrle, so that is not a factor with the receiver strenght. But after the bolt unlocks, the moving parts of the action can take a beating if the gass ports are not adjusted properly.

So you may be converting a reliable 2 3/4" 1100 for a picky 3" 1100. I am not saying you should not convert to 3" but just be aware of the limitations and compare them with the benifits of a extra 1/4 inch on you shotshells.

Yep Jack said it all. The strength is in the bolt & barrel. Look at all the aluminum receivers now days. It takes but a few minutes to mill the ejection port a wee bit to the rear if needed.

[ 01-31-2003, 07:11: Message edited by: Bear Claw ]