Remington 870 vs 1100

Neil2470 · March 25, 2009, 11:55 AM

So I am just getting into skeet shooting and looking for a quality gun where I don't need to drop a lot of money. After doing hours upon hours of reading and research I have narrowed my search down to either the Remington 870 (Wingmaster) or 1100 (Sporting). I have about $900 to spend and have found both new for around that. I am pretty much only going to be using it for skeet shooting. I am posting this because I am having trouble deciding which to get. Personally I am leaning toward the 1100 but I am completely ope to suggestion.

If there is another gun in that price range that you feel is better than my choices please let me know.

I am just a beginner so really I am just looking for a quality gun that I can start with. Down the road if I get into I will most likely invest in an O/U made by berreta, benelli, browning, etc. But for now I am looking for quality at the $900 price point.

Thanks a lot

Brad Clodfelter · March 25, 2009, 12:04 PM

I would buy the 1100.

I have both.

I prefer the 1100.

OLNfan · March 25, 2009, 12:08 PM

Between those two they would work as well as you your self can preform. I dont know what chokes or barrels you plan on using, but after experince I'v always wanted to have a semi auto for skeet/clay pidgon shooting etc. So I would suggest the 1100. A nice o/u would be awesome aswell!

BigJimP · March 25, 2009, 01:42 PM

Of those 2 options - go with the 1100.

When you're learning to shoot Skeet - remember you have pairs on stations 1 and 2 - and 6 and 7 - and shooting a pump gun, unless you have a lot of time with it, and can keep it on your shoulder as you operate the action - will really slow you down.

The 1100 is a good solid gun / and it will give you some time to figure out how to best maintain a gas operated shotgun - and keep it clean (and have some o-rings on hand) - if you break one.

zippy13 · March 25, 2009, 02:29 PM

The 1100 is a hands-down better Skeet gun than a Wingmaster.
The 1100 Sporting model is a compromise gun, for Skeet you'll be happier with a dedicated Skeet gun. Sadly, Remington no longer makes the 1100 Skeet model. Perhaps you can find a nice used Skeet model or a NOS one that's been squirreled away.

dropthehammer · March 25, 2009, 07:16 PM

Look for a lightly USED Browning or Beretta o/u with 30" barrels and screw in chokes. For the few hundred extra you will spend, you will have a gun you can use for all clay sports, hunting etc. The extra money you spend now will equal the loss you WILL take when/if you trade the 1100 or 870 for the o/u you really want. Not bragging, I am a little older and can buy any new gun I desire, but I always purchase quality used guns. I let the original owner take the loss. If I want to sell the gun, I always get my money back and sometimes make a little. Nothing better than shooting a quality gun for as long as I like, and not losing any money when something else catches my eye. Wish I had the same luck with ex-wives. 1100's and 870's are great guns. Maybe consider a used 1100. Just my opinion, hope it makes sense to you.

1911 Shooter · March 25, 2009, 08:06 PM

There is a nice Citori over at shotgunworld for 800. - 26 in bbls, though. Look & shop hard.

Gazzmann · March 25, 2009, 11:45 PM

I picked up an old Remington 878 Automaster about 5 or 6 years ago and out of all it is my favorite trap & skeet gun. Light and deadly.
Did I mention it was only $100.00 at a pawn shop.

March 25, 2009, 11:55 AM	#1
Neil2470 Member Join Date: August 16, 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 55	Remington 870 vs 1100 So I am just getting into skeet shooting and looking for a quality gun where I don't need to drop a lot of money. After doing hours upon hours of reading and research I have narrowed my search down to either the Remington 870 (Wingmaster) or 1100 (Sporting). I have about $900 to spend and have found both new for around that. I am pretty much only going to be using it for skeet shooting. I am posting this because I am having trouble deciding which to get. Personally I am leaning toward the 1100 but I am completely ope to suggestion. If there is another gun in that price range that you feel is better than my choices please let me know. I am just a beginner so really I am just looking for a quality gun that I can start with. Down the road if I get into I will most likely invest in an O/U made by berreta, benelli, browning, etc. But for now I am looking for quality at the $900 price point. Thanks a lot

March 25, 2009, 12:08 PM	#3
OLNfan Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: British Columbia Canada Posts: 277	Between those two they would work as well as you your self can preform. I dont know what chokes or barrels you plan on using, but after experince I'v always wanted to have a semi auto for skeet/clay pidgon shooting etc. So I would suggest the 1100. A nice o/u would be awesome aswell! __________________ "Dear Governor Axtell. I've heard that you will give 200 dollars for my head. Perhaps we should meet and talk. I am at the Juarez village at the border. Send 3 men, and instruct them not to shoot, as I am unarmed. In short, Sir; I surrender. Your obedient servant William H. Bonney. PS: I changed my mind. Kiss my ass." Last edited by OLNfan; March 25, 2009 at 12:13 PM.

March 25, 2009, 02:29 PM	#5
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	The 1100 is a hands-down better Skeet gun than a Wingmaster. The 1100 Sporting model is a compromise gun, for Skeet you'll be happier with a dedicated Skeet gun. Sadly, Remington no longer makes the 1100 Skeet model. Perhaps you can find a nice used Skeet model or a NOS one that's been squirreled away. Last edited by zippy13; March 25, 2009 at 05:01 PM.

March 25, 2009, 12:04 PM	#2
Brad Clodfelter Registration in progress Join Date: January 26, 2007 Posts: 925	I would buy the 1100. I have both. I prefer the 1100.

March 25, 2009, 01:42 PM	#4
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Of those 2 options - go with the 1100. When you're learning to shoot Skeet - remember you have pairs on stations 1 and 2 - and 6 and 7 - and shooting a pump gun, unless you have a lot of time with it, and can keep it on your shoulder as you operate the action - will really slow you down. The 1100 is a good solid gun / and it will give you some time to figure out how to best maintain a gas operated shotgun - and keep it clean (and have some o-rings on hand) - if you break one.

March 25, 2009, 07:16 PM	#6
dropthehammer Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Location: Suburb of Cleveland Ohio Posts: 108	Look for a lightly USED Browning or Beretta o/u with 30" barrels and screw in chokes. For the few hundred extra you will spend, you will have a gun you can use for all clay sports, hunting etc. The extra money you spend now will equal the loss you WILL take when/if you trade the 1100 or 870 for the o/u you really want. Not bragging, I am a little older and can buy any new gun I desire, but I always purchase quality used guns. I let the original owner take the loss. If I want to sell the gun, I always get my money back and sometimes make a little. Nothing better than shooting a quality gun for as long as I like, and not losing any money when something else catches my eye. Wish I had the same luck with ex-wives. 1100's and 870's are great guns. Maybe consider a used 1100. Just my opinion, hope it makes sense to you.

March 25, 2009, 08:06 PM	#7
1911 Shooter Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2006 Posts: 124	There is a nice Citori over at shotgunworld for 800. - 26 in bbls, though. Look & shop hard.

March 25, 2009, 11:45 PM	#8
Gazzmann Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 133	I picked up an old Remington 878 Automaster about 5 or 6 years ago and out of all it is my favorite trap & skeet gun. Light and deadly. Did I mention it was only $100.00 at a pawn shop.