The M2 is a field gun and will work just fine at the range. The 1100 is a clays gun that will work fine in the field. The M2 (inertia/recoil) costs a couple hundred more than the 1100 but Ithink the 1100 is a far better gun simply for its gas operation and ease of handling the lighter target loads.

 

Two different semi autos for sure. If it were me and I was going to use the shotgun for mostly hunting I would pick the M2 because the firearm is much lighter. If the majority of my shooting was on a range at clays I would go with the 1100 Sporting because the gun is heavier. I'm also assuming the Remington comes with external choke tubes as well but I'm not dead sure. If it was a 50/50 proposition I would go with the M2 because the Benelli inertia system trumps the Remington gas system for ease of cleaning. I would give the build quality to the Benelli but I'm sure some here would disagree.

As you mentioned... You are going the right route by handling both shotguns and picking the one that fits/feels the best for you. Either way you should get a decent semi auto. Have fun with your new shotgun.

 

The M2 is a field gun and will work just fine at the range. The 1100 is a clays gun that will work fine in the field. The M2 (inertia/recoil) costs a couple hundred more than the 1100 but Ithink the 1100 is a far better gun simply for its gas operation and ease of handling the lighter target loads.

The one that fits best.
As far as cleaning the 1100........
Tooooo simple to be an issue.
For the money you can't beat an 1100 imo!

B

 

I'd take the 1100 for certain. 1100s fit me better. According to Worc that why an M2 will belt me, but nevertheless belt me it will even with target loads. Nothing wrong with either gun.

 

For you 1100 owners, how many rounds does it take before you gun becomes to fouled to cycle?

 

For you 1100 owners, how many rounds does it take before you gun becomes to fouled to cycle?

Not sure yet. :?

 

For you 1100 owners, how many rounds does it take before you gun becomes to fouled to cycle?

800 to 1,000 1 oz reloads using 700X; possibly more, I have always cleaned them before exceeding that.

My wife and have both owned Benelli SL80's for a period of ten years, we also have a long history with 1100's.

The SL80's were very reliable but they did not enjoy shooting mine enough to hang on to it.

The 1100 fits me as if it was custom made for me, I do some of my consistant best shooting with them and I enjoy the shooting characteristics of them. We have had good reliability from ours. Consequently, for my own use, I prefer the 1100.

 

I'd take the M2 anytime for any use over the 1100. The 1100 will almost for sure have the nicer wood and better blueing. The M2 has better build quality and more features. The M2 is lighter in weight and can have weight added if you wanted the gun to have more heft for a smoother swing or to help reduce a little felt recoil. Adding weight can be inexpensive and easy to do. You should be able to add about a pound of weight without affecting cycling. That weight could also be removed for hunting if you so desired. The M2 is easier to clean although the 1100 is not really that bad to clean. More importantly is how much longer the M2 can go between cleanings if you want to. 300 to 400 rounds between any type of cleaning or spraying oil in the action on the 1100/11-87 is a pretty long period from my experince. The M2 is not the best model for lighter target loads but is fine with the faster 1oz loads or heavier target loads. The 1100 for a 2 3/4" model is nothing to write home about in the light load department but, a little better than the M2.

Maybe a better Benelli model for your uses might be a Cordoba. The only thing I don't like about them is their ported barrels. The Vinci may turn out to be a good model as well but, is unproven and only comes in B/S or camo finishes.

 

Thanks for the great advice, guys.

 

FWIW, Tom Knapp was using a M2 during his exhibition this month. He had only two guns with him: the M2 and a pump. He did quite well with both of them.

 

FWIW, Tom Knapp was using a M2 during his exhibition this month. He had only two guns with him: the M2 and a pump. He did quite well with both of them.

They're a sponsor, so take that endorsement with a grain of salt.

 

The 1100 for a 2 3/4" model is nothing to write home about in the light load department but, a little better than the M2.

I don't have an M2 to test and compare, but will it reliably cycle 5/8 oz loads? Both my 1100 Magnum duck gun (with 2-3/4" chambered barrel installed) and my new 1100 G3 will.

Dan

 

There are alot of things I like about my Remington guns, my problems over the years were very limited and most were simple fixes but, there is (1) thing on my model 1100 Sporting 12 "I DO NOT LIKE". I own a handful of Remmy autos and this is the only one that does it. The barrel and magazine cap loosen up after only a just a few rounds (10-20). Don't misunderstand me that the barrel is falling of or anything but, it does loosen at the magazine cap. Force of habit just keeps me snugging it up. The reason it loosens is because the magazine cap is serraded (teeth) in the inside and the other locking part is the teeth on the magazine spring retainer. Just a cheesy plastic locking set up for a gun that meant to take a pounding during a day of shooting clays. Other than that it handles great, great tube set up (and they stay tight), non-binding tapered recoil pad. I would recommend it, I just have a slight issue I can resolve myself somehow when I get a chance to.

I don't own an M2 but have handle a few and shot a round with one once. I liked it, it's a good fit for me. Like the idea you can shim it to get your proper fit. Just weigh everything up and don't rush into it. Try to shoot both.

The new 1100's are not the old 1100's buy a long shot.

 

For you 1100 owners, how many rounds does it take before you gun becomes to fouled to cycle?

Don't believe my daughter or I either one have ever shot more than 3-400 rounds from our 1100 LT20's without cleaning them. My shooting bud has gone more than 1000 rounds without a hicup with his 1100 12ga.

As for Spankey's loose cap:
Never had that problem with the LT 20's but had a 870 Super Mag that would loose'n up after about a dozen rounds. Teflon tape on the threads or a thin rubber o-ring under the cap will cure that. Least it did for me.
Will admit it ticked me off but didn't take much to cure it.
Still like my Remingtons......

B.

 

As to those caps coming loose, I'd check and make sure the detent ball is still there. My brother in law got a 870 Express and it left the facory with out one installed. That is assuming the 1100 is the same set up.

 

You're comparing two very different guns. I've owned several 1100s and an 1187, and consider them my favorite autoloading shotguns. My 2003 Sporting 12 continues to be a very reliable gun after 5 1/2 years of use.

Pick whichever one you like best.

 

hoosierbob, I was gonna play with a thin diameter ring under the cap. We have plenty of o-rings at work and o-ring material. I could easily make a perfect fit.

As far as the detent ball, the 1100 Sporting 12 does not have one. The magazine cap and the magazine spring retainer do all the locking.

As mentioned I don't consider and put the Remington Sporting autos in a crap catagory as far a autos go but, the "B" guns look to be putting out far better autos for clays. I'm saying this as a big Remington fan and no disrespect.

 

Spankey:
Sounds like that loose cap will soon be just a bad memory!

 

The 1100 just does not fit me like the M2. The 1100 forend feels like a huge fat log in your hand. Seems the M2 has a better feel, fit, and lighter.

 

Don't know jack about the M2s, but I've shot the Benelli SS, Sport II and Cordoba. They fit me well, the Benelli recoil is a non-issue for me, and they are a snap to clean. Reliable and tough, too.

I'm probably a heretic, but the 1100s and 1187s have never done much for me.

 

MGF wrote:

I'm probably a heretic, but the 1100s and 1187s have never done much for me.

Or you have higher standards.

 

I don't have the 1100 sporting clays and I don't have the M2. That said, I have two 11-87s (one has been modified for shooting clay targets) and an SBE II. For various reasons I have come to prefer the SBE II, but mostly because I consistently shoot it the best--I use it for everything, including skeet, trap, sporting clays, upland, waterfowl, etc. I consistently shoot 1185 fps 1 oz target loads with this gun and the only cycling issues I have had is with the el cheapo Estate loads. I have even cycled the 7/8'ths oz hot Remington loads without any trouble. Keep in mind though that the Benelli is not a maintenance free gun. You still need to clean and lube the trigger group and rails on a reasonably regular basis. As well, depending on how much you shoot the gun you will likely need to clean the action spring once or twice a year. Finally, the Benelli click thing can be an annoyance at times (the rotating bolt head will not always go fully into battery--most dedicated Benelli users become very adept at looking to see if this happened). But for all that I find the SBE II to be a hard gun to beat in nearly every respect. Of course YMMV.

As Worc said, you may also want to consider the Cordoba, although it will be even more $$$. The porting will help some when shooting clays, although may be an annoyance to dogs and hunting buddies in the field. Oh yes. While my 11-87s are certainly soft shooting, I feel virtually no recoil with the SBE II when shooting light target loads--last week I shoot 350 rounds through it in one day with no noticeable issues. While many question its value, I am convinced the comfertech technology helps, at least relative to not having it. iN the case of recoil gun fit can and does make a big difference--and again here is where the Benelli wins out for me. The ability to quickly adjust cast and drop can make a big difference.

 

As far as my loose magazine cap issue, I'll find out Thursday night how the o-ring installation in the cap will be. I'm sure it will solve the problem because it feels better already before shooting it. Going to shoot some 5-stand right after work. Again the 1100 Sporting is a great handling gun, it's fun and not very expensive in the full schyme of things today. The target grade Benelli's like the Cordoba, Supersport, SS2 and Legacy Sport are way above it. The Beretta target guns in the AL391Optima Sporting, Parallel Target are above the 1100 Sporting. Is Remington a true target gun maker? I would say no. They've put out many great quality field guns over the years and that is where my loyalty lies. The Sporting 12, 1100 Primier Sporting, G3 these are glorified field guns in my book.

Do you have your heart set on an autoloader? I like my shotguns, I have various types. You mention a 75% target and maybe 25% hunting/other as far as usage of your new gun. Have you considered a hunting/target sporting cross over version of an O/U? I have Brownings in mind. These guns will take a pounding week after week after week. Less moving parts and quality built. Chambered for 2 3/4" and 3". I would think most upland hunting could be done with 2 3/4" shells. Maybe the heavy upland hunters could comment on that. I know 3" shells are popular but that is more common with waterfowl steel (non-toxic) loads. Just a thought.

 

Spankey, thanks for the advice. I already have two O/Us. One is a Valmet, which is great for Skeet and Upland work. The other is a Huglu, which is pretty much relegated to the safe and the odd round of trap. Was just looking for something a bit different.

 

MGF wrote:

I'm probably a heretic, but the 1100s and 1187s have never done much for me.

Or you have higher standards.

Geez, Worc, you're going to get the Rem fellas and the Benelli haters all worked up :!:

Really, though, I do need to give a Beretta autoloader a good tryout. I keep hearing they're pretty soft shooters, and I know Seamus likes 'em (and I've found his gun advice to pretty on the spot). Think I ought to grab a Wally model just for fun?