I have a Remington 870 (produced in the 70's) and a Remington 1100 (produced in the 80's) both will only take a 2 3/4" shell. Is it even possible to have these guns changed over to chamber a 3" or 3 1/2" shell? If so how much would it cost and how would it be done? I want this done because they are family guns and I know I could just buy a new one but that's not what I want. Thanks in advance.

 

The 870 can be converted to 3" by changing the ejector from the 2 3/4" version to a 3" ejector and either rechambering the barrel to 3" or buy a new 3" barrel.

A fired 3" shell will barely clear the ejection port though. A 3 1/2" would never eject.

My buddy converted his 870 to 3" but didn't like it. With the fired shell barely clearing the ejection port it didn't always eject the shells cleanly.


Don't know about the 1100.

 

Thanks for the reply. Anyone else know about the 1100? It's really the one I want to change over. I already have an 887 for a pump so really want to know about the auto.

 

No, the older 1100's were not tuned to shoot a 3" and you would also not have enough "stroke" to the system. It also would not be able to shoot BOTH loads reliably anyway. the 11-87 has a system to regulate it so that it will shoot both shells reliably. I have heard that some of the new 1100's can be had in 2 3/4" - 3" but cannot substantiate that. I am the owner of an 11-87 P because the 1100 was not able to shoot 3" ers and I wanted that versatility. BUT the 1100 is a GREAT gun and with the new Heavi-shot 2 3/4" loads, 3" is not as important as it once was... I am currently working on a Remington 1100 Tac 4 for a client, setting it up to shoot "mini shells" (2" ish) for 3 gun. Gives you more ammo in the gun, and with the shortened wads (literally cut down by hand) the shot load is the same. Size sometimes really DOESN'T matter....