Hello everyone,
This is my first post here, first 1100 and just wanted to share and ask for a little wisdom in getting this little gem cycling on standard buck/slug. It cycles fine on the hottest 1600fps deer slugs, but I want to tune it a bit to run some more readily accessible buck/slug loads.

Pics of how I found her. More to follow.




Compare the finish to modern parkerized 870

I must say that the action really absorbs a lot of recoil and slows down the pulse very nicely. It is a dream to shoot and it cycles fine on 1600fps ammo, but not 1325fps buck/slug. It is intended for home defense and it would be nice if it could cycle more readily available defense ammo. It almost cycles (90-95%) and should only take some tuning to get it where I need it.

I have replaced the gas system and O-rings, and ordered a new magazine tube spring. I have installed tested, replaced, reinstalled, and then removed the tactical carrier latch to rule that out.

I believe the recoil control spring could be a bit too strong, limiting the cycling action just a little. Or the maybe the gas ports could possibly be opened up a little, although I would like to avoid that. Any ideas are welcome to smooth out the action just a bit to squeeze that last 5-10% to where it will cycle on the standard load.

As she sits now.

SJ follower, slight polish on feed ramp


tactical carrier latch


FO front sight


TLR3

The Sidewinder required moving the recoil spring from the stock to the magazine, and thinning the action bars to accommodate the new proprietary spring. These are not common guns, and as such, don't be surprised if nobody here is able to point you in the right direction. Sage still exists, although I don't think they do these conversions anymore, but maybe they can point you in the right direction.

Easiest option may be to get a 2nd barrel to experiment on as far as opening the ports. However, the action bars are one of the weak links on the 1100, made even more so by thinning them, so proceed with caution, since the modified bars would be difficult to impossible to replace, even OEM bars are getting difficult to find with the Remington bankruptcy.

If you are so inclined, I'd like to see some pics of what it looks like under the forend, since that's where all the magic is on these.

Thank you, I understand these specific conversions are unusual and appreciate any assistance available. The action bars seem fairy robust, to be honest, minimal thinning from what I can tell and seems very solid.

Top




Right side





Left side

I have yet to see one of these modified 1100 actions that was not very finicky from an ammo standpoint. Generally you will have to tune the action to the loads you want to shoot, and keep parts in a bag for different loads. I had the best luck trimming action springs for different loads. I do not remember now where I got the generic springs I used because the originals were pretty dear. Someplace in Cincinnati I think.

I ended up leaving the bolt locked back for about a week to try and weaken the recoil spring. I also gently ran a small drill bit along the walls of the gas ports. Gently.

Result: Cycles better with standard buck but needs more tuning. Definitely headed in the right direction.

Does yours also have the modified buffer arrangement with a elastomer impact disc above where the recoil spring used to go thru the rear of the receiver ? If you intend to open the ports and still shoot stout loads I would definitely add that.

Thanks for the advice, a buffer sounds like a great idea and cheap insurance. I would definitely like to know more if you are able to share.

After some research I found there could be one in the bolt (this one has it) but there could also be a buffer in the rear of the receiver.

The bolt has a yellowish round buffer on the rear, but I do not see a buffer in the rear of the receiver. I also don't see much to attach a buffer to.