The Remington 1100: A Classic Reborn
History and Significance
The world of shotguns offers a rich tapestry of options, each designed for a specific purpose. From the swift action of a pump-action to the elegant smoothness of a semi-automatic, the choices can be overwhelming. But amidst this selection, one name has consistently resonated with shooters across generations: the Remington 1100. This iconic shotgun, renowned for its reliability, soft recoil, and ease of use, has earned a place of honor in the collections of hunters, clay shooters, and enthusiasts alike. A key factor contributing to the 1100’s enduring appeal is its inherent versatility, and much of this flexibility stems from the readily available Remington 1100 barrel design, particularly those equipped with the Remchoke system. This system grants shooters unparalleled control over their shot patterns, allowing for the fine-tuning required for diverse shooting situations.
This guide dives deep into the world of the Remington 1100 barrel equipped with Remchoke, exploring its features, benefits, and the crucial role it plays in maximizing your shotgunning experience. We’ll cover everything from understanding the mechanics of the Remchoke system to choosing the right choke tube for your specific needs, ensuring that you’re armed with the knowledge to make the most of this exceptional firearm. Let’s begin.
Reliability and Performance
The Remington 1100’s story began in the early 1960s, marking a pivotal moment in shotgun design. It was a semi-automatic shotgun that offered a significant leap forward in terms of both performance and user experience. Its gas-operated system, designed by Wayne Leek, provided a dramatically reduced recoil impulse compared to other semi-automatic shotguns of the time. This innovative feature made the 1100 exceptionally comfortable to shoot, even with heavy loads. The smooth cycling action and reduced recoil quickly endeared it to hunters and target shooters.
The Remington 1100’s reliability was another key factor in its success. Built with quality materials and precise manufacturing, the 1100 quickly established a reputation for dependability, capable of withstanding the rigors of the field and the demands of the range. This combination of factors — smooth operation, reduced recoil, and reliable performance — established the 1100 as a go-to choice for shooters of all levels.
Variations
Over the years, Remington has offered the 1100 in a variety of configurations. The standard models came in 12, 16, 20, and 28-gauge, along with the .410 bore, catering to a wide range of shooting preferences. Different stock styles, barrel lengths, and finishes further expanded the 1100’s appeal. The 1100 Tournament, 1100 Lightweight, and 1100 Special Field models stand out as examples of Remington’s adaptability in responding to the demands of consumers. Today, the legacy continues with the continued production of the 1100, a testament to its enduring popularity and functional design.
Understanding the Remchoke System
What is Remchoke?
The Remchoke system is a key part of what makes the Remington 1100 so versatile. The system is a thread-in choke tube design, developed by Remington to provide shooters with the ability to change the constriction at the muzzle of their shotgun. This simple yet ingenious design allows users to tailor their shot patterns to match the specific requirements of their target or hunting situation. The system involves a removable choke tube, that screws into the muzzle end of the Remington 1100 barrel.
Benefits of Remchoke
The Remchoke system offers several significant benefits. The primary advantage is its ability to control the shot pattern. The choke tube’s constriction, measured in thousandths of an inch, dictates how tightly the shot pellets stay together as they travel downrange. Different choke constrictions create different shot patterns, ranging from wide, open patterns for close-range targets to tight, concentrated patterns for longer-range shooting.
This pattern control leads directly to enhanced versatility in ammunition selection. Shooters are no longer limited to one type of load. The Remchoke system allows you to adjust your choke based on your ammunition. Want to hunt turkey? Use a tight choke. Shooting skeet? Use a more open choke.
Cost-Effectiveness
The initial investment for a Remchoke barrel can sometimes seem considerable. However, the long-term value comes from the ability to use your shotgun for diverse shooting scenarios. You effectively have multiple shotguns in one platform. Instead of purchasing multiple shotguns, each with a fixed choke, you can simply swap out the choke tube on your Remington 1100 barrel to adapt to the situation.
Compatibility
The Remchoke system is most commonly found on 12-gauge and 20-gauge Remington 1100 models. While some older models might have fixed chokes, the modern 1100s, as well as most newer barrels, are designed to accept the Remchoke system. Always ensure that your Remington 1100 barrel is clearly marked as a Remchoke barrel before purchasing or installing choke tubes.
Selecting the Right Remchoke Barrel for Your Needs
Barrel Length Options
Choosing the right Remington 1100 barrel is crucial for getting the most out of your Remington 1100. Several factors come into play when making this decision.
One of the first considerations is the barrel length. The length impacts both handling and performance. Shorter barrels, typically found on field models, provide better maneuverability in close quarters. They are easier to swing and point quickly. These barrels are commonly found in lengths ranging from 26 to 28 inches. Longer barrels, often used for target shooting, tend to have a longer sighting plane, promoting better accuracy, and provide smoother swings. These longer barrels often measure 30 inches or even longer. Think about your primary shooting application and choose a barrel length that complements that activity.
Gauge
The second major factor is the gauge. The most popular gauges for the Remington 1100 are 12 gauge and 20 gauge. Both gauges offer excellent performance. The choice of gauge comes down to personal preference and the type of shooting you plan on doing. The 12 gauge has more stopping power and provides a greater variety of available loads. The 20 gauge is lighter, easier to handle, and produces less recoil.
Considerations based on Shooting Application
Finally, consider the intended shooting activity. Different shooting applications require different choke tube configurations.
Hunting (Different Game)
If you’re a hunter, the game you’re pursuing will be the deciding factor. For turkey hunting, where long-range shots are common, a tight choke, such as Full or Extra Full, is recommended. Waterfowl hunting often calls for a Modified or Improved Modified choke. For upland bird hunting, where shots are generally taken at closer ranges, an Improved Cylinder or Modified choke might be more appropriate. The Remington 1100 barrel with its interchangeable choke tube capabilities will allow you to quickly change between chokes.
Clay Shooting
Clay shooters have specific choke tube choices based on the type of game. Skeet shooters generally use an Skeet choke, known for its open pattern. Trap shooters often opt for a Full choke to break targets at long distances. Sporting clays, which feature a variety of target presentations, call for a wider range of choke choices.
Materials & Construction
In addition to functionality, you should also consider barrel materials. High-quality barrels are made from durable steel designed to withstand the pressures and wear and tear of repeated firing.
Remchoke Choke Tube Options
Overview of Different Choke Types
Remchoke choke tubes come in a range of constrictions, each designed to produce a specific shot pattern. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types:
Skeet: This choke offers the widest pattern, perfect for short-range targets like those encountered in skeet shooting.
Improved Cylinder: This choke provides a slightly tighter pattern than Skeet, suitable for targets at medium range. It also provides a wider pattern for close-range hunting.
Modified: This versatile choke provides a balance between pattern size and range, making it a good choice for general-purpose hunting and target shooting.
Improved Modified: This choke offers a slightly tighter pattern than Modified, extending the effective range.
Full: This choke delivers a very tight pattern, ideal for long-range shooting, such as trap and turkey hunting.
Extra Full: This choke produces the tightest pattern possible, ideal for very long ranges.
Choosing the Right Choke
Choosing the correct choke tube involves considering the distance to the target and the type of ammunition you are using. The further the target, the tighter the choke you will need. Always read the ammunition box and consult the choke tube manufacturer to find the best option for the load you are planning to use.
Aftermarket Options
Beyond the standard Remington options, several aftermarket manufacturers also offer Remchoke compatible choke tubes. These options give you even more choices in terms of choke constriction and materials, allowing you to fine-tune your shotgun’s performance to your exact needs. When purchasing aftermarket choke tubes, always ensure they are specifically designed to fit the Remington 1100 Remchoke barrel to ensure proper fit and safe operation.
Installing and Maintaining a Remchoke Barrel
Installation
Installing a Remington 1100 barrel is a straightforward process. Always ensure the firearm is unloaded. Open the action and verify the chamber is clear. Remove the forend, if applicable. Then, align the barrel with the receiver and carefully slide it into place. Secure the barrel with the forend.
Remchoke Tube Installation
Changing choke tubes is just as simple. First, ensure the shotgun is unloaded. Use a choke wrench to unscrew the existing choke tube from the barrel. Screw the new choke tube into the barrel, tightening it with the choke wrench. The Remington 1100 barrel system makes this easy and safe.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential to keep your Remington 1100 barrel functioning optimally. After each shooting session, clean the barrel with a solvent and a bore brush to remove any fouling or debris. Lubricate the barrel with a light coat of oil to prevent rust. Pay particular attention to the choke tube threads. Keeping these threads clean and lightly lubricated will prevent the choke tube from seizing in place.
Safety Precautions
Safety is paramount. Always handle firearms with care and follow all safety guidelines. Always be certain that the firearm is unloaded before removing or installing the Remchoke barrel or changing choke tubes. Before shooting, make sure the barrel is properly secured to the receiver and that the choke tube is securely installed.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Remington 1100 Barrel with Remchoke
Advantages
The Remington 1100 barrel with the Remchoke system provides significant advantages. The primary benefit is the versatility it offers. The ability to quickly change choke tubes allows you to adapt your shotgun to a wide range of shooting situations, from hunting different game to competing in various clay shooting events. The ability to fine-tune your shot pattern maximizes your chances of success.
The Remchoke system provides excellent control over shot patterns, allowing you to optimize performance based on the distance to the target and the type of ammunition used. This enhanced precision results in improved shooting and more efficient harvesting of game.
The availability of various choke tubes allows for ammunition selection. You’re not limited to using only the loads optimized for your fixed choke. You can use a wider variety of loads with the Remchoke system.
Disadvantages
Despite its many benefits, the Remington 1100 barrel with Remchoke has some potential drawbacks. While the initial cost of a barrel might be reasonable, the expense of purchasing additional choke tubes can add up. The cost of owning a Remington 1100 barrel plus the extra choke tubes is frequently offset by the cost savings of owning multiple fixed choke shotguns.
Finally, the Remchoke system also requires that you understand the relationship between choke constriction, shot pattern, and target distance. Shooters who are unfamiliar with these concepts might require some initial time to adjust to the Remchoke system.
Conclusion
The Remington 1100 barrel with the Remchoke system is a cornerstone of the shotgun’s legacy. By offering unmatched versatility, pattern control, and the ability to adapt to a multitude of shooting situations, this system transforms the already iconic Remington 1100 into an even more valuable and enjoyable firearm.
Throughout this guide, we’ve explored the history of the 1100, detailed the mechanics of the Remchoke system, provided insights into choosing the right barrel and choke tubes, and emphasized the importance of proper maintenance. The benefits of this setup are clear. From the field to the clay course, the Remington 1100 barrel with Remchoke empowers shooters to reach their full potential and relish in the sport they are enjoying.
The key to unlocking this potential lies in understanding the system and experimenting with different choke tube combinations. Don’t be afraid to experiment and learn what works best for you. The flexibility of the Remington 1100 barrel with Remchoke offers the best opportunity to explore. So go out there, find the right Remington 1100 barrel and choke tubes, and discover the joy of shooting.
