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I have been shooting 1100s for 49 years. I have shot and/or owned just about everything else made in the intervening years, but have not found anything I liked better in a semi auto shotgun. I do give ANY gun a quick cleaning after firing before I put it away, so maybe that is why I have never had any problems other than a broken extractor in 1982 on the 1963 gun. I have owned 11 Model 1100s and 11-87s. They are 99%+ the same gun as noted - the barrel gas systems are just different on SOME 11-87s. A target 11-87 is really an 1100, and a G3 1100 is really an 11-87 under the skin.
A 2-3/4" Model 1100 will do fine with ALL 2-3/4" loads, with the exception that the Target barrels are not recommended for anything heavier than 1-1/8 ounce loads if memory serves, and the older fixed choke barrels should not be used with larger than #2 steel shot through anything tighter than a modified choke. The target barrels have larger gas ports so the mouse fart load target shooters won't have problems. I don't think I have ever bought or loaded anything lighter than 1 oz loads running around 1200 fps for a 12 myself, and I have never had an issue.
If all you need is a 2-3/4" gun, I would recommend the 1100, but if you want to shoot 3" also look to an 11-87. I personally don't like flat finishes or plastic, so I would look for a used 11-87 Premier in excellent condition. Gander Mountain is selling some fairly nice looking satin - not Express style ROUGH - finished new 1100 field guns in the $600 range last time I saw them.
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