All,

I have a Remington 1100 Magnum that I used to hunt geese with. I'm back in Texas and mostly hunting dove now.

As you may know, the 1100 Magnum is chambered for 3" shells only.

I put a 2 3/4 inch barrel on it (the one with two gas blow back ports) and it works ok, but does not always cycle.

I've heard that the 3" Magnum and regular 2 3/4" 1100 have a different main sprinig. Also that changing the main spring from the Magnum 1100 to the regular 2 3/4 1100 will solve my cycling problem.

Any experience with this? I called Brownells today and they didn't have a separate part number for the main spring on a regular 1100 and a Magnum 1100.

The gun is clean and has no other mechanical problems.

Thanks, Rifleman

Why don't you get hold of Remington, they probably could tell you what you need to convert it to 2 3/4 use.

If I remember right, for standard 2 3/4" shells only need one gas port in the barrel. The second is added for the 2 3/4" magnum and 3" shells. Its like there is too much gas escaping and not enough to push the bolt back. I have not heard of the springs being different. This is what I know. Maybe someone else knows something different. Did you get your gas rings on right? Maybe one on upside down and maybe a O-Ring issue.

rifleman7777,

I have both a 3" bbl and a 2 3/4" bbl for my 1100 SP.. The 3" has one port and the 2 3/4 has two ports. The gas cylinder on the barrel sounds as if it might need to be cleaned, this is where the gas rings will be when the action is closed..

If I remember right, for standard 2 3/4" shells only need one gas port in the barrel. The second is added for the 2 3/4" magnum and 3" shells. Its like there is too much gas escaping and not enough to push the bolt back. I have not heard of the springs being different. This is what I know. Maybe someone else knows something different. Did you get your gas rings on right? Maybe one on upside down and maybe a O-Ring issue.


I was told its the other way around Gis. With low pressure (read:light loads) you need the two holes to have enough ummp to cycle the gun. With a 3" or Mag 2 3/4" (steel) barrel, you have one gas port so that the bolt won't smash through the receiver and into your face. At least thats how the gunsmith explained it to me when I asked him a similar question.

And good points by the way about the gas and O-Rings, thats a easy one to get turned around. Like you, I haven't heard of any difference in the springs.

You're right about the ports. I have an 11-87 which is the modified design, and my 3" chambered 28" VR barrel has two ports on it. Mine isn't finicky, I can shoot two rounds at the range with it and as ong as my shoulder holds up the gun will, its incredibly reliable. I would suggest cleaning as much of the crud off as you can. I know it really builds up on my gun and I do need to get some o rings, every time I take mine apart I think that little ring is going to snap but it holds up.