Remington 1100 vs Versamax

**Odonnks** · January 17th, 2013, 07:17 AM

I'm looking for a tactical semi-auto and like the feel of the Remingtons and heard from others that the 1100 runs well.

I'm seeing prices for the 1100 around $690 and the Versamax at around $1,250.

Is the Versamax that much better of a shotgun ?

Thank you

**NathanB** · January 17th, 2013, 09:30 AM

i looked into a versa a little bit. from what I read alot of people say its almost a direct benelli copy. Some say overengineered some say under. you know how that goes.

**Hawk** · January 17th, 2013, 12:00 PM

If you look around, you can probably find a nice used 1100 for around $350.

**mikal90** · January 17th, 2013, 12:12 PM

Older 1100's 2 3/4" chamber. Don't handle alot of shooting of max loads of high brass ammo. Theres a pin inside the receiver that guides the bolt that shears off. We used to go on continental shoots. 22 shooters/ 250 pheasants. We broke every 1100 we took, Shooting 12 ga. 2 3/4" magnum loads #5 shot, 5 the first time and 2 more the second time. Those shoots are tuff on a gun, You'll shoot 3 to 4 boxes of shells in about 1 1/2 hrs. The Remington Express 1100 3" chamber worked fine.

**Hawk** · January 17th, 2013, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by mikal90

Older 1100's 2 3/4" chamber. Don't handle alot of shooting of max loads of high brass ammo. Theres a pin inside the receiver that guides the bolt that shears off. We used to go on continental shoots. 22 shooters/ 250 pheasants. We broke every 1100 we took, Shooting 12 ga. 2 3/4" magnum loads #5 shot, 5 the first time and 2 more the second time. Those shoots are tuff on a gun, You'll shoot 3 to 4 boxes of shells in about 1 1/2 hrs. The Remington Express 1100 3" chamber worked fine.

Hmm, I have owned 2 (unmodified) 1100's 2 3/4". I've used them weekly for multiple rounds of both trap and skeet. I've also used them in Action Shotgun with 9 round extended tubes. I never had a single hiccup from either. And I only clean or oil them (maybe) every 5th-6th outing.

The only preventive maintenance I've ever done was replaced the gas o-ring.

A little history. Make note of the bold.

Designed by Wayne Leek and Robert P Kelley,the Remington Model 1100 was introduced in 1963 as a successor to the Model 58 and 878 gas operated shotguns. The Model 58s had supplanted the recoil operated Model 11-48, which retained the long recoil action of John Browning's original design, present in the Remington Model 11 and the Auto-5. All models of the 1100 are gas operated with a mechanism that noticeably reduces recoil. Several variations of the Model 1100, in 12, 20, and 28 gauges, and .410 bore are still in production as of 2012.

The Remington Model 1100 ushered in the era of successful and reliable gas-actuated autoloading shotguns, and it is the best selling autoloading shotgun in U.S. history with over 4 million produced.

The model 1100 holds the record for the most shells fired out of an autoloading shotgun without malfunction, cleaning or parts breakage with a record of over 24,000 rounds. The record was set in 1978 with a Remington model 1100 LT-20. Breaking this record has been attempted with several other models of Semi auto shotguns but has yet to be broken.

**mikal90** · January 17th, 2013, 03:25 PM

I used my 1100 for both the Northern Berks trap league and the Tri county with no hickups also, 1000's of rounds. I even used it for 2 seasons of NY deer season shooting 2 3/4" sabbots. I just posted what happened to them when we exposed them to 2 3/4" magnums. 7 broken pins in 7 different 1100's in 2 outings.

**Hawk** · January 17th, 2013, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by mikal90

I used my 1100 for both the Northern Berks trap league and the Tri county with no hickups also, 1000's of rounds. I even used it for 2 seasons of NY deer season shooting 2 3/4" sabbots. I just posted what happened to them when we exposed them to 2 3/4" magnums. 7 broken pins in 7 different 1100's in 2 outings.

Gotcha!

**JMIS** · January 17th, 2013, 10:12 PM

I've been shooting an FNH SLP for 3gun, I just picked up a Versa Max to add to my stock because I like shotguns. My dad has an 1100 that I've shot from time to time, I can tell you the Versa Max is a softer shooting gun. Also from what I've seen and been reading on other forums the Versa Max is starting take over the 3gun field.

I have about 300rds threw mine so far breaking it in with sporting clays and skeet,
= flawless

I bought the 26'' and have added the Lancer 7rd carbon tube.

http://www.remington.com/en/products...synthetic.aspx

**XTrooper** · January 18th, 2013, 07:01 AM

Originally Posted by NathanB

i looked into a versa a little bit. from what I read alot of people say its almost a direct benelli copy. Some say overengineered some say under. you know how that goes.

The Versa Max gas system is a copy of the Benelli ARGO gas system as used in the Benelli M4 (US military designation M1014, UK military designation L128A1) with the addition of Remington's unique design of using shell length for gas regulation. Remington was able to copy the ARGO short-stroke, piston-driven system because the Benelli patent for it is expired.