Remington 1100 Semi-Auto Shotgun Review

Initially designed by Wayne Leek and Robert Kelly, the Remington 1100 was released in 1963 and remains a popular choice for hunters and skeet shooters. It receives praise for its power and accuracy, so we tested it.

We shot clay and paper targets, went duck hunting, then compared our notes with feedback from other users to bring you the best review of the Remington 1100 semi-automatic shotgun.

In this article:

• Specs
• Report Card
• Methodology
• Field test
• Pros and Cons
• Buyer’s Guide
• FAQ

Specs: Remington 1100 Semi-Auto

Overall Grade: A- 

Grade: A-

Methodology

We field tested a Remington 1100 12-gauge, 28-inch semi-automatic shotgun, researched prices, and read customer reviews on all Remington 1100 semi-automatic models to bring you our best analysis in the following categories:

• Ease of use – 20% of score
• Functionality – 20% of the score
• Reliability – 20% of the score
• Quality – 20% of the score
• Value – 20% of the score

Field test

Because I’m a 4’11” female, I invited a 5’10” male to shoot with me. We used a 12-GA 28-inch barrel model, which isn’t ideal for someone my size., so I wanted a normal-sized shooter’s input.

Ease of use 

The Remington 1100 is heavy and powerful. Its size, power, and recoil will be difficult for small shooters, but it is well-balanced and easy for an average-sized male to shoot. It is straightforward to load, shoots smoothly, and has a crossbolt safety.

Functionality

The Remmington 1100 is an all-around great gun for the following activities:

• Hunting: The Remmington 1100 is excellent for hunting, but the safety is loud and can scare the game when shooting at close range. It can be used for hunting various game including ducks and deer.
• Skeet/clays: Many professionals have won tournaments using a Remmington 1100 because it is easy to handle and very accurate.
• Home defense: The 12-GA Remington 1100 is one of the best firearms for home defense.

Reliability

It is a very reliable gun. We used it with 2 3/4 ammo and found it to be exceedingly accurate. As a matter of fact, the Remington 1100 is infamous for its reliability. However, be sure to change the magazine tube’s O-rings as needed.

Quality

The Remming 1100 is a high-quality gun that is built to last. Some shooters have experienced malfunctions, but I haven’t had that problem.  Just be sure to keep up with the maintenance.  It is a bit high-maintenance and needs frequent cleaning.

Value

Most 12-gauge semi-automatic shotguns cost $250 – $3,000. For the Remington 1100’s spec, quality, and accuracy, it is a steal with an MSRP of $1,200.

Pros and cons

Shotgun buyer’s guide 

Not sure which shotgun is right for you?  Please consider the following:

• Gauge
• Action
• Finishes
• Cost
• Background checks

Choosing a gauge

You want to choose a gauge based on the shooter’s size, experience, and intended target, for example:

• 410-bore shotguns are great for youngins and small adults learning skeet, hunting birds, or eradicating small rodents. For example, I am 4’11 and use a 410 shotgun with target-load ammo for skeet shooting. 
• 20-gauge shotguns are more potent than 410 shotguns, so most normal-sized adults prefer them for bird hunting or shooting clays.  
• 12-gauge shotguns are the most popular for self-defense and hunting large game such as deer. Small shooters may have trouble handling the recoil, so it is inappropriate for teaching children or small adults.

Choosing an action

Most shotguns come in one of the following actions:

• Break-action shotguns, also called break-open, come in single and double-barreled models. Single-barreled break-action shotguns are lightweight and affordable, but double-barreled models are expensive. They have simple mechanics and work well for left-handed shooters but have limited capacity (1 to 2 rounds).
• Pump-action shotguns, also called slide-action, are slower than semi-automatics but more affordable. And I think it is fun to slide the pump when loading a shell. They come in high capacities, and you can load them with various ammo. However, they have more recoil than semis, so be careful!
• Semi-automatic shotguns are fast and better for shooting at a far range. They can be gas- or inertia-operated. Gas-operated semis require more maintenance than inertia-activated shotguns but have less recoil. Semi-shotguns have a high compacity but are less reliable than a pump or break-acton shotgun.
• Lever-action shotguns are similar to pump-action, but there is a lever to push instead of a pump to slide. Lever-action is more common in riffles than in shotguns.
• Over-under-action shotguns are double-barreled, with one barrel on top of the other. They are expensive, but very reliable, even in bad weather. However, they have heavy recoil and limited shooting capacity.

Finishes

Most shotguns have one of the following finishes:

• Wood is the classic choice, but it scratches easily and sometimes craks.
• Synthetic finishes are more durable than wood, and black synthetic shotguns are popular. 
• Camo is unnecessary for your gun, but a synthetic camo finish is a great option if you like how it looks.

How much does a shotgun cost?

Most shotguns cost $200 to $1,400, but prices vary depending on the gauge, action, and brand.  For example, the average .410 shotgun costs $600, but the average 12-gauge shotgun costs $975.

Background checks

If you purchase your shotgun from a licensed gun dealer, you must complete an ATF form that is sent to NICS. NICS checks your background to ensure you are eligible to purchase a firearm.

FAQ