SHOTGUN REVIEW: A MODERN DAY ICON

Created on 14th May 2009

RICHARD ATKINS takes a look at the latest Remington model, a gas-operated semi auto

Few guns have achieved icon status. It's an elite group with obvious examples being the Browning superposed that spawned a thousand imitators in over-and-under shotguns, another John Moses Browning design, the Hi-Power 9mm pistol, Mikhail Kalashnikov's AK47 rifle and the Mauser GWR 98 bolt action rifle. Well, the Remington 1100 gas-operated semi-automatic shotgun has also achieved this revered status, as we mentioned recently when reviewing the very latest Remi 1100 Competition model. Despite its birth in 1963, the gun is still going strong today. Particularly interesting is Remington's approach to its model range. In these times there is a tendency to design things that will tackle an ever-wider range of tasks with one adaptable format. Remington has a different approach. While it has upgraded the 1100 along the way, the gun retains much of its basic design features and its styling remains as recognisable as ever. Even now, though, some 46 years after introduction, new models keep coming into the range. Instead of making its guns multi-purpose, Remington has a wide range of more specifically targeted models. That way you pick a model that suits what you want to do. And guess what, those who really love the 1100's way of shooting tend to have a model for each discipline they shoot most, be that Trap, Skeet or Sporting for clay target shooters. There are slug and turkey barrel types for hunters or a long chambered waterfowl model for wildfowling.

The latest model we received from importers Edgar Brothers is the 1100 G3. This is perhaps one of the more ‘general purpose' styles in Remington's 1100 line-up, targeted toward general ‘field' use and capable of digesting a wider range of ammunition than the Competition model is for instance. The G3 may well be a core model that will satisfy the largest number of shooters. It should keep existing Remington fans happy while its very modern finish should appeal to new shooters. Huge numbers of 1100s are sold over the years: newer models may come and go but the 1100's longevity shows that the philosophy is one that has found a rapport with many shotgun shooters.

The G3

So what's different about this model to the Competition model we tried? The first and most striking difference is that of the action's finish. The G3 has been coated with a Titanium PVD (Physical Vapour Deposit) process that provides a very wear resistant and corrosion resistant finish to the all-steel receiver of which Remington is so proud. The metal is finely bead or vapour-blasted before coating, which gives a pleasant matte finish to the protective coating and prevents any likelihood of glare occurring when used in the field.

Another special surface coating of nickel/Teflon has been applied to action parts and the magazine tube, which has been honed and polished prior to treatment and on which the gas parts operate. This gives a really smooth, non-stick and highly corrosion resistant finish to these parts, ensuring smooth operation and less chance of excess burnt powder residues build-up gumming the action.

The barrel itself has several differences. Whereas the clay target model is chambered and proofed for 70mm (2 ¾") cartridges, the G3 is chambered for 75mm (3") cartridges and also to steel cartridge proof levels. All Remington guns carry the proof marks of the British proof authorities. This is because America is not part of the CIP International proof authority system, so their SAAMI testing is not acceptable here in the UK and hence all American guns must be proved before sale in this country. The G3's longer chamber allows the use of larger and more powerful cartridges, as may be required in a wider range of pursuits, which leads to another difference with the Competition model, as the gas system. Still closely based on the original, it is adapted to compensate for the use of heavier loads whereas the competition model is not. The G3 has a recess machined into the outer front of its gas cylinder that is permanently welded to the underside of the barrel into which a spring steel ‘C' collar is fitted. Under this collar are gas ports that allow gas to be fed to the cylinder via twin gas ports drilled through into the bore of the barrel, to be partially vented out of the cylinder. Being a spring collar it is self-regulating in that the more gas pressure bled into the gas cylinder, as when using heavy load cartridges, the more the spring will be lifted to limit gas pressure applied to the moving parts. Without some sort of regulation, ports large enough to operate the gas system with the lightest desired load would unduly stress the action parts by operating at excessive reciprocating velocities with heavier loads, reducing the service life. The Competition model is tuned to operate with clay loads and has smaller gas ports, with no compensating collar.

As with the Competition model the G3's barrel is slightly over-bored, to .734" internal diameter and so needs the Remington Probore internal choke tubes. Its fairly thick barrel wall requires no flair to accommodate the choke tubes. These are of the internal flush-fitting type as opposed to the extended type supplied with the Competition model. External polishing and bluing is up to Remington's usual high standard. Both a white front bead and small metal centre bead are fitted which is often associated with a competition gun, but these are functional yet unobtrusive so a definite plus point.

Woodwork

The woodwork is another modern innovation. At first glance it looks like high-grade walnut, but all is not what it might seem. It's an applied laminate finish called Realwood with thin veneers applied to the stock. On the review sample the wood effect is certainly attractive and in the ‘semi-fancy' grade category. What closer inspection reveals is that there is a darker central line that runs through the top of the comb and likewise on the underside where two laminates meet. You then notice that the wood pattern on one side does not match the other, one being somewhat lighter, on this stock at least. The forend, though similarly treated, showed a much better match. It's much more attractive than a black synthetic finish and the high gloss lacquer top coat should resist scuffs and the elements well but is just a little downgraded by the joins.

New chequering patterns replace the classic style of former 1100s. Being laser etched it's sharper, more attractive and more practical, offering a better feel than the impressed technique of previous models. The hand-filling forend combined with the fairly open radius pistol grip of the stock gives the classic ‘Remi-hold'. The gun is heavy but feels less so with the majority between the hands. The stock has a thick, soft rubber ‘Limb-save' recoil pad fitted that further tames the modest recoil to very comfortable proportions. The pull length is short at 14" but typical of American semi-autos; spacers can be added to give some extra length.

Summary

The G3 performed reliably with suitable loads, but as expected would not cycle with the lighter loadings. With 28g target loads only the ‘stiffer' ones cycled reliably with modest pressure loads like the Hull Chevron and Victory 480s not always cycling: Hull Sovereigns and Eley VIPs worked fine though. The breech bolt barely budged with the 21g loads that we had tried in the Competition model, which would just cycle the stiffer ones like Eley's First Lite. We only used the G3 against clays where it put up a respectable performance and good kills even with the open choke tube, indicating decent patterns. It's not a clay gun but primarily a ‘Field' gun that's also fine for casual clays.

It comes in the most sophisticated piece of luggage we have encountered, with separate compartments for barrel and stock plus a drop down compartment for choke tubes, key and a carry strap for the box. This is handy as the box weighs 12lb alone so is a real handful with the G3 on board!

It was nice to try this model and see what it offered but for target use the Competition model wins hands down.

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