870 or 1100

SPUSCG · March 8, 2008, 02:46 PM

i was wondering which to get, for home defense and turkey hunting in the fall.
i am new to firearms in general and like the fact 870 is low maitenance, but then the semi is only 50 bucks more

Mainah · March 8, 2008, 02:57 PM

I'm not sure that a semi would make any difference in a turkey or hd scenario, but fifty bucks would buy several cases of shells to practice with. I count my 870 as one of the best purchases I've ever made.

roy reali · March 8, 2008, 03:03 PM

Get the 870. Don't trust that new-fangled, semi automatic technology. Give it a few more years to get the bugs worked out of it. Let law enforcement and the military play with it for a few years to see if it actually has any merit to it.

Nemsis · March 8, 2008, 03:11 PM

I have a 1187 and a 870 the biggest difference between them is the 10min faster I get done cleaning the 870

SPUSCG · March 8, 2008, 03:26 PM

how long does it take to clean each?

Nemsis · March 8, 2008, 04:59 PM

10 min for the 870, 20-25min for the 1187 because you have to clean the gas piston

also if you get the 1100 buy it with the 18" barrel and buy a 28" barrel for hunting separetly. it's alot easier to find long barrels cheap than short ones

ronto · March 8, 2008, 05:19 PM

Get the pump...I prefer the Mossberg 500 for many reasons...But that's a whole new thread.

rem870hunter · March 8, 2008, 08:39 PM

if you can get both great. if not then go with the 870.

either way you can get extra barrels. the only trouble with either one though is the 1100 does not have a 20" barreled turkey model. but the 870 does, the barrel is only available new with the shotgun. unless you can find a used one. i have been looking for a 20" vent rib for my 870. no luck yet. but either one you can get 26"-30" vent ribbed barrels and smooth, fully rifled slug barrels. for turkey hunting i would get the 870 turkey model. it has the 20" vent rib barrel and get a loose 18.5" plain or a 20" smoothbore rifle sighted slug barrel for home defense. if you choose to deer hunt with slugs later you can use the rifle sighted slug barrel. depending on your f&w game laws. if its buckshot only the vent rib will be fine. maybe even that for home defense with an imp. cyl. choke tube in it.

TheNatureBoy · March 9, 2008, 07:40 AM

I harvested my first wall hanger with a Remington 1100, however, If given the choice I'd pick the 870

SPUSCG · March 9, 2008, 04:53 PM

can slugs be fired from the same barrell as some triple ought?

perazzimx14 · March 9, 2008, 05:03 PM

Mainah,

$50 bucks will barely buy, but 1 case of shells theres days.

Roy Reali,

How many more years is it going to take to get the 1100 working to your standards??

The 1100 has been on the market for 30+ years I doubt that a couple more are going to make a diference.

SPUSCG · March 9, 2008, 07:35 PM

hey mainah, do you happen to know a good place to hunt turkeys?

rantingredneck · March 9, 2008, 07:43 PM

For HD or Turkey an 870 will serve you fine. I'd rather rely on a pump for HD for reliability reasons (even though I own an 11-87 and have owned an 1100 and trust them both). Also, when you're talking Turkey's you're likely to only have the opportunity or need for the one shot anyway.

That being said, turkey loads tend to kick a good bit and the gas operated auto will temper that some. But so will a good recoil pad on the 870. If you're only getting one I'd go with the pump. But I love my 11-87 too.

rantingredneck · March 9, 2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

can slugs be fired from the same barrell as some triple ought?

Yes. Brenneke's or Foster slugs do just fine from smoothbore barrels. Typically an IC choke works best or a rifled choke if you want to go that route. You can fire saboted slugs through a smoothbore but accuracy is usually not worth the extra $ unless you're using a rifled barrel. Rifled barrels don't do well with buckshot. They tend to spin the shot column and disperse the shot too quickly.

crowbeaner · March 9, 2008, 09:20 PM

If you get the 1100 you may fall under Osama Obama's glare because the 1100 is an evil semi auto. They both have sold millions. In really cold weather I pick the 870; the only semi I trust below zero is my A5 because it is a recoil operated action.

Ruger4570 · March 9, 2008, 09:37 PM

I really don't know how or why people think a Pump is MORE reliable than a Semi auto like an 1100 etc. Kept even reasonably clean, a semi will function alongside any other gun made. Even a pump can have problems, they are NOT infailible.
The thought that some bad guy hearing you "pump" a round "in" is gonna make him fill his pants is simply BS and "wanna be or Rambo" talk.
I am sure, the sound of my semi chambering a round would be JUST as scarry to a BG.
So you got one of those "infailible" pumps, what happens when your pump hand gets hit with one of his rounds and it becomes useless to "pump" a round?? I'll take a reasonably cared for semi, that I can shoot by simply pulling the trigger over and over with my good hand.
For some reason, pumps seem to be the wherewithall with the SHTF folks. Personally, I would rather have my PROVEN 1100 for a SHTF situation no matter what than a pump gun.
Sad part is, some just think a pump is more relaible for some reason, not the case. Ask anyone that shoots 1,000's and 1,000's of rounds at Trap or Skeet with an 1100 or 11-87 or Betteta 390 or well,, you get the idea.
Damn few would choose a pump for intense compitition where 1000's of shots are fired, That in itself should convince the pump crowd that semi's work as well. I have no problem with pumps as I own 2 870's and 2 Ithaca Model 37's. I love them, but faced with a SHTF situation, I'll grab my Berreta 390 or my 1100 or 11-87 first. Bash away

nutty ned · March 9, 2008, 09:44 PM

If you can remember to pump it a 870 is good, if your like me then you need a 1100.

Doc TH · March 9, 2008, 09:51 PM

1100s have been around for a very long time and have a deserved excellent reputation. I have had mine for more than 20 years, and it has never malfunctioned. On the days when you fire many rounds, or want to get in practice with slugs, the gas operated semi is very kind. I have had pump actions, and while I wouldn't fault them I prefer my extremely reliable 1100.

b.thomas · March 10, 2008, 07:20 AM

I own both and my personnel preference is the auto but for your needs a 870 would be a better choice.

rantingredneck · March 10, 2008, 07:49 AM

My comment on reliability re: semi's stems from the fact that (on the 1100's or 11-87's at least) an O-ring out of place or pinched or simply worn can turn a semi into a single shot. Granted if you replace them as you should you shouldn't have a problem, but there's always a but.

And I'll wager that if a badguy's bullet hits the gas piston of an 1100 it wont work either

Not to mention the fact that by that point the bullets are likely hitting you too.

crowbeaner · March 10, 2008, 11:51 AM

The problem with the 1100 and 11-87 is that the o-ring can break in extremely cold weather. SHTF? you must live in a very bad neighborhood. I like them all; can I have one or two of each?

model70fan · March 10, 2008, 02:23 PM

One problem I and many people I know have had is the extractor on the 1100 breaking. The 870 is one of the most reliable guns in the world, you can paddle the boat, drop it in the mud, then shoot the ducks with it

It's the AK of the shotgun world. I've got the three main Rems. 870 (3 of 'em

), 11-87 (2 of 'em

), as well as an 1100. I did convert one of the 870s into a tactical, chopped the barrel, folding stock, pistol grip and forend, yada yada yada. Great HD gun, great hunting gun, for turkeys the fast follow ups are not as important as say ducks or something, the pump will work great, they sell turkey hunting models in it already as well as easily found barrels for other applications.

SPUSCG · March 10, 2008, 02:35 PM

is there a way to get more than 5 rounds in an 870? that swhat all ive seen sold are with except the marine magnum, but that doesnt look as good to me i want an actual wood stock. the 1100 with its 9 round capacity is good for me

SPUSCG · March 10, 2008, 02:36 PM

although ease of maitenance on an 870 speaks to me as well

SD_Chop · March 10, 2008, 02:45 PM

yes you can get extended mag tubes for the 870. I would go with the 870 myself, i own two of them, have another in my cruiser and also own a 1100. You can build your 870 just about any way possible with all the acc that are avaible for it. As stated above its real easy to change out the barrels if you wanna keep an 18 on it for HD then put a 24-28" super full choke for turkey. in 2007 field and stream voted the 870 2nd place all time greatest shotgun in history to date.

March 8, 2008, 02:46 PM	#1
SPUSCG Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2008 Posts: 3,004	870 or 1100 i was wondering which to get, for home defense and turkey hunting in the fall. i am new to firearms in general and like the fact 870 is low maitenance, but then the semi is only 50 bucks more __________________ Check us out: www.imfdb.org. Fun site for people who love gun movies.

March 8, 2008, 03:03 PM	#3
roy reali Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2005 Posts: 3,248	re:spfb Get the 870. Don't trust that new-fangled, semi automatic technology. Give it a few more years to get the bugs worked out of it. Let law enforcement and the military play with it for a few years to see if it actually has any merit to it.

March 8, 2008, 03:11 PM	#4
Nemsis Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Peoples Republic of Chicago Posts: 408	I have a 1187 and a 870 the biggest difference between them is the 10min faster I get done cleaning the 870 __________________ "The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas

March 8, 2008, 03:26 PM	#5
SPUSCG Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2008 Posts: 3,004	how long does it take to clean each? __________________ Check us out: www.imfdb.org. Fun site for people who love gun movies.

March 8, 2008, 04:59 PM	#6
Nemsis Senior Member Join Date: December 27, 2006 Location: Peoples Republic of Chicago Posts: 408	10 min for the 870, 20-25min for the 1187 because you have to clean the gas piston also if you get the 1100 buy it with the 18" barrel and buy a 28" barrel for hunting separetly. it's alot easier to find long barrels cheap than short ones __________________ "The American people will never knowingly adopt Socialism. But under the name of 'liberalism' they will adopt every fragment of the Socialist program, until one day America will be a Socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas

March 8, 2008, 02:57 PM	#2
Mainah Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Posts: 1,119	I'm not sure that a semi would make any difference in a turkey or hd scenario, but fifty bucks would buy several cases of shells to practice with. I count my 870 as one of the best purchases I've ever made.

March 8, 2008, 05:19 PM	#7
ronto Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2007 Location: Smack Dab in the Middle of Nowhere. Posts: 505	Get the pump...I prefer the Mossberg 500 for many reasons...But that's a whole new thread. __________________ "We will do this: we will hang together, we will keep our organization, our arms, our discipline, our hatred of oppression, until one universal shout goes up from an admiring age that this Missouri Cavalry Division preferred exile to submission, death to dishonor". General Joseph O. Shelby, CSA (1830-1897) The only Confederate General who refused to surrender himself or his 1,000+ "Iron Brigade".

March 8, 2008, 08:39 PM	#8
rem870hunter Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2007 Location: N.J. and trying to decide what state to move to. Posts: 973	870 or 1100 if you can get both great. if not then go with the 870. either way you can get extra barrels. the only trouble with either one though is the 1100 does not have a 20" barreled turkey model. but the 870 does, the barrel is only available new with the shotgun. unless you can find a used one. i have been looking for a 20" vent rib for my 870. no luck yet. but either one you can get 26"-30" vent ribbed barrels and smooth, fully rifled slug barrels. for turkey hunting i would get the 870 turkey model. it has the 20" vent rib barrel and get a loose 18.5" plain or a 20" smoothbore rifle sighted slug barrel for home defense. if you choose to deer hunt with slugs later you can use the rifle sighted slug barrel. depending on your f&w game laws. if its buckshot only the vent rib will be fine. maybe even that for home defense with an imp. cyl. choke tube in it. __________________ BEAR Bows,Remington shotguns,Marlin rifles Last edited by rem870hunter; March 8, 2008 at 08:47 PM. Reason: mistyped reply

March 9, 2008, 07:40 AM	#9
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	I harvested my first wall hanger with a Remington 1100, however, If given the choice I'd pick the 870

March 9, 2008, 04:53 PM	#10
SPUSCG Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2008 Posts: 3,004	can slugs be fired from the same barrell as some triple ought? __________________ Check us out: www.imfdb.org. Fun site for people who love gun movies.

March 9, 2008, 05:03 PM	#11
perazzimx14 Senior Member Join Date: February 10, 2007 Posts: 130	Mainah, $50 bucks will barely buy, but 1 case of shells theres days. Roy Reali, How many more years is it going to take to get the 1100 working to your standards?? The 1100 has been on the market for 30+ years I doubt that a couple more are going to make a diference.

March 9, 2008, 07:35 PM	#12
SPUSCG Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2008 Posts: 3,004	hey mainah, do you happen to know a good place to hunt turkeys? __________________ Check us out: www.imfdb.org. Fun site for people who love gun movies.

March 9, 2008, 07:43 PM	#13
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	For HD or Turkey an 870 will serve you fine. I'd rather rely on a pump for HD for reliability reasons (even though I own an 11-87 and have owned an 1100 and trust them both). Also, when you're talking Turkey's you're likely to only have the opportunity or need for the one shot anyway. That being said, turkey loads tend to kick a good bit and the gas operated auto will temper that some. But so will a good recoil pad on the 870. If you're only getting one I'd go with the pump. But I love my 11-87 too.

March 9, 2008, 09:20 PM	#15
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	If you get the 1100 you may fall under Osama Obama's glare because the 1100 is an evil semi auto. They both have sold millions. In really cold weather I pick the 870; the only semi I trust below zero is my A5 because it is a recoil operated action. __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

March 9, 2008, 09:37 PM	#16
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I really don't know how or why people think a Pump is MORE reliable than a Semi auto like an 1100 etc. Kept even reasonably clean, a semi will function alongside any other gun made. Even a pump can have problems, they are NOT infailible. The thought that some bad guy hearing you "pump" a round "in" is gonna make him fill his pants is simply BS and "wanna be or Rambo" talk. I am sure, the sound of my semi chambering a round would be JUST as scarry to a BG. So you got one of those "infailible" pumps, what happens when your pump hand gets hit with one of his rounds and it becomes useless to "pump" a round?? I'll take a reasonably cared for semi, that I can shoot by simply pulling the trigger over and over with my good hand. For some reason, pumps seem to be the wherewithall with the SHTF folks. Personally, I would rather have my PROVEN 1100 for a SHTF situation no matter what than a pump gun. Sad part is, some just think a pump is more relaible for some reason, not the case. Ask anyone that shoots 1,000's and 1,000's of rounds at Trap or Skeet with an 1100 or 11-87 or Betteta 390 or well,, you get the idea. Damn few would choose a pump for intense compitition where 1000's of shots are fired, That in itself should convince the pump crowd that semi's work as well. I have no problem with pumps as I own 2 870's and 2 Ithaca Model 37's. I love them, but faced with a SHTF situation, I'll grab my Berreta 390 or my 1100 or 11-87 first. Bash away

March 9, 2008, 09:44 PM	#17
nutty ned Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 765	If you can remember to pump it a 870 is good, if your like me then you need a 1100.

March 9, 2008, 09:51 PM	#18
Doc TH Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2005 Posts: 633	870 Vs 1100 1100s have been around for a very long time and have a deserved excellent reputation. I have had mine for more than 20 years, and it has never malfunctioned. On the days when you fire many rounds, or want to get in practice with slugs, the gas operated semi is very kind. I have had pump actions, and while I wouldn't fault them I prefer my extremely reliable 1100.

March 10, 2008, 07:20 AM	#19
b.thomas Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Posts: 461	I own both and my personnel preference is the auto but for your needs a 870 would be a better choice.

March 10, 2008, 07:49 AM	#20
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	My comment on reliability re: semi's stems from the fact that (on the 1100's or 11-87's at least) an O-ring out of place or pinched or simply worn can turn a semi into a single shot. Granted if you replace them as you should you shouldn't have a problem, but there's always a but. And I'll wager that if a badguy's bullet hits the gas piston of an 1100 it wont work either Not to mention the fact that by that point the bullets are likely hitting you too.

March 10, 2008, 11:51 AM	#21
crowbeaner Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2007 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 1,943	The problem with the 1100 and 11-87 is that the o-ring can break in extremely cold weather. SHTF? you must live in a very bad neighborhood. I like them all; can I have one or two of each? __________________ If you want your children to follow in your footsteps, be careful where you walk. Beware the man that only owns one gun; he probably knows how to use it. I just hope my ship comes in before my dock rots.

March 10, 2008, 02:23 PM	#22
model70fan Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2007 Location: WI, MT Posts: 247	One problem I and many people I know have had is the extractor on the 1100 breaking. The 870 is one of the most reliable guns in the world, you can paddle the boat, drop it in the mud, then shoot the ducks with it It's the AK of the shotgun world. I've got the three main Rems. 870 (3 of 'em), 11-87 (2 of 'em), as well as an 1100. I did convert one of the 870s into a tactical, chopped the barrel, folding stock, pistol grip and forend, yada yada yada. Great HD gun, great hunting gun, for turkeys the fast follow ups are not as important as say ducks or something, the pump will work great, they sell turkey hunting models in it already as well as easily found barrels for other applications. __________________ Armed citizens, keeping America free from tyranny since 1776 Rights are like muscles... without excersise they will deteriorate and eventually cease to exist

March 10, 2008, 02:35 PM	#23
SPUSCG Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2008 Posts: 3,004	is there a way to get more than 5 rounds in an 870? that swhat all ive seen sold are with except the marine magnum, but that doesnt look as good to me i want an actual wood stock. the 1100 with its 9 round capacity is good for me __________________ Check us out: www.imfdb.org. Fun site for people who love gun movies.

March 10, 2008, 02:36 PM	#24
SPUSCG Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2008 Posts: 3,004	although ease of maitenance on an 870 speaks to me as well __________________ Check us out: www.imfdb.org. Fun site for people who love gun movies.

March 10, 2008, 02:45 PM	#25
SD_Chop Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2006 Location: Va, USA Posts: 474	yes you can get extended mag tubes for the 870. I would go with the 870 myself, i own two of them, have another in my cruiser and also own a 1100. You can build your 870 just about any way possible with all the acc that are avaible for it. As stated above its real easy to change out the barrels if you wanna keep an 18 on it for HD then put a 24-28" super full choke for turkey. in 2007 field and stream voted the 870 2nd place all time greatest shotgun in history to date. __________________ Liberty or Death...