In the past I used a Remington Model 58 a little.At present I own a 28 gauge Remington Model 1100.

It was many years agothat I used the Model 58 and I do not remember the differences between it and the Model 1100.They both worked well.

I would think that with the Model 58 being discontinueed for a long time that parts would be much harder to get for it than the Model 1100.

 

1100 is the better gun. It will shoot all loads without adjustment. The gas system is outside the magazine and easier to clean, and will run longer before needing cleaning. It usually lasts longer before parts breakage(s), and then parts are a phone call away. A lot of 58 parts are still available, but it has been out of production for 47 years now.
But, the 58 was a very good gun and some people prefer the handling characteristics. If I was one of them and only planned to shoot less than 75,000 light loads I'd get a 58. As it is I have five 1100s.

 

An old skeet gun was made to use like a hammer. A lot of them were used like a hammer but you can't tell by looking at them, because a target gun wears on the inside. :wink:

I love old obsolescent shotguns like the 58. I own a bunch of them. But if you are going to seriously shoot skeet, buy the 1100 so you can get parts for it and leave the old Sportsman 58 for us bottom feeding shotgun junkies that buy things like that to feed our addictions.

Two flats of shotgun shells cost more than the difference in price. 20 rounds of skeet. And you'll shoot hundreds, maybe thousands of rounds of skeet with the gun.

You won't ever sit down on a stump and cry that you bought the 1100 instead of the 58, I promise. :wink:

 

I`d get the 1100. No Doubt.
Regards, Pete

 

I am not sure about the 58 barrels but I know the 1100 you can turn into any gun you want 26,28 ,30,in. trap barrels etc. the choice is yours!!!

 

That depends on which 1100.

If it's an old 20 on a 12 Gauge frame, good luck finding a barrel.

However, a 12 Gauge or an LT-20 is easy to reconfigure.

I'd definitely get the 1100, not the 58. The 58 is rare, for a production gun. Only 271,000 were ever made, divided among 12, 16 and 20 Gauge, vs. millions of 1100s, and the 58 ceased production in 1963. Furthermore, I'd stay far away from something that needs cleaning more often than an 1100. :lol:

 

Thanks for your replies everyone. Im going today to check them out. Im leaning towards the sportsman 58 at this point, since it will be about 160$ cheaper after taxes, and since I'm in University right now, saving that kind of money is a bonus. Im an occasional skeet shooter, so I think it would be just fine for my purposes. The aviailability of aftermarket barrels isnt a huge concern, since I have a Mossberg 500A with a 28" barrel and interchangeable chokes, so if I end up on a trap field or in a duck blind, I could use that.

 

Thanks for your replies everyone. Im going today to check them out. Im leaning towards the sportsman 58 at this point, since it will be about 160$ cheaper after taxes, and since I'm in University right now, saving that kind of money is a bonus. Im an occasional skeet shooter, so I think it would be just fine for my purposes. The aviailability of aftermarket barrels isnt a huge concern, since I have a Mossberg 500A with a 28" barrel and interchangeable chokes, so if I end up on a trap field or in a duck blind, I could use that.

Every opinion that you received said get the 1100.
Why ask for an opinion on the better choice, if it really comes down to a cost issue?
The initial cost savings is great for a college student, however if the gun breaks, the 1100 will be easier to find spare parts.
I shoot my 44 year old 1100, 3 or 4 times a week (Trap & Skeet) and it is still going strong.

 

Beware of initial cost savings.

A relatively rare gun that hasn't been made for a half century and isn't supported by the manufacturer is a tinkerer's toy, not a shooter's tool. Maybe you are a garage tinkerer. Otherwise, I'd spend the extra money to get a current-production gun that used to be extremely popular for skeet, and remains popular enough that parts and accessories abound.

Consider that the Model 1100 only exists because Remington wanted to fix some of the 58's shortcomings.

 

Could be the guy just wanted to know how the two shotguns stacked up.Most seemed to perfer the 1100 for different reasons but there were no bad words said about the Model 58 not being a dependable shotgun.That being the case and he being on a very limited budget he chose to go with the Model 58.The one I used years ago worked great.

Just my opinion .

 

Well guys i have a Sportsman 58 that is needing some parts. Any help locating someone would be great.

 

Well guys i have a Sportsman 58 that is needing some parts. Any help locating someone would be great.

Good luck! If you need anything for an 1100, I could help you out. Gunbroker, Ebay or even Remington will have everything you need.
58 parts is another story.

 

Went and handled them today. I ended up leaving with the 58. The 1100 is likely better gun, but again, saving 165$ was a big deal. Condition wise, they were both in very good shape. In hindsight, I never really could have afforded that 1100, so I guess asking was pointless. Wishful thinking I guess.The 58 is still a nice gun. I found the LOP on the 1100 was too short too, which would have cost me money to get a new buttstock. I plan to get a Citori or some other nice O/U after I graduate, so this semi will do the trick for the next couple years until I can afford better. For 250$, I am pretty happy with it so far. Thanks for your replies.

 

Hi:

You made the correct move! The 58 is a much better handling gun than the 1100! Parts are still common.

I tried an 1100 once and found that it was a dog handle compared to the 58. I own two 58's and no 1100's.

Franchi

 

I sure am glad we now have the difinitive last word on that. I shall try to console myself for a lifetime of misspent activity.

 

I'm jumping in here late but what the heck...:lol:

I've owned both over my years and still have an 1100. The 58 is a better handling shotgun for upland field hunting in my opinion. I also liked the game scenes on the 58 receiver better than the swirl engraving pattern on my 1100. I agree with most others regarding your choice here but alas that doesn't matter at this point. The 58 although a decent built semi is not the every week shooter the 1100 is, especially when considering parts availability since the gun has been out of production so long. The adjustable gas knob always worked decently well on the 58 I owned way back. I do see some parts and barrels on Gunbroker.com sometimes. But no question the 1100 is much easier to obtain parts and barrels for as already mentioned. Keep in mind to be careful if you ever decide shopping barrels for your 58, especially if you go the online route. Some 870 Wingmaster barrels are converted for the 58 by having gas ports drilled. This works if done by a competent gunsmith correctly. Unfortunately a couple I've seen were not done to Remington factory spec. When this occurs the shotgun can/will have cycling problems. All and all keep your 58 reasonably clean as well maintained and you should do just fine for hunting and occasional targets. Make sure the rear stock is always snugged tight to the receiver so it doesn't crack since it would be a real pain to find a decent replacement... Same goes for the forearm. I would also suggest getting a owner's guide online. I have seen them for only a few dollars. It would be a wise investment since you already have the shotgun. Best of luck and good shooting with your new older Remington.