Remington's Model 1100™ Sporting 410 Shooting a Birdie - A perspective on golf and shotguns

The Model 1100 Sportsman 410 utilizes a single gas port to actuate its gas piston and cycle the firearm. The barrel is marked “.410 Bore 2½” or 3″ “, indicating either 3″ magnum or 2½” ammo use is appropriate.

After running lots of 2½” and 3″, shot and slug loads, from a number of  manufacturers, I can honestly say the Sportsman is on the high side of gas operated ammo handling versatility, and particularly for a small bore. Outside of the extremes, slug loads and very lightly charged 2 1/2″ #9 shot size target loads, the Model 1100 digested everything else.

As a gun geek…

I converted all of my AR 15 guns to adjustable gas systems so they would accommodate a wide variety of factory and handloaded ammunition. Seems gas regulation would not be a difficult feature to incorporate into the 1100, but then I didn’t try. Usually, the reason shooter adjustable systems aren’t offered by manufacturers is the manufacturer’s concern that someone will open up gas flow to accommodate low velocity ammo and leave it at this setting when firing high velocity ammunition. Without proper reciprocating part dampening, there is the chance the increase in mass velocity will damage the gun and the manufacturer will have to service a problem that is not of their doing, and do so under warranty. At any rate, this is just me wandering off the road into a ditch, so to speak, as the Remington operates, as is, reliably and with any reasonable ammunition consistent with the gun’s intent.

Floats like a…shotgun, stings like a…shotgun

The Sportsman 410’s metal and wood fit and finish is very good and there certainly isn’t a shortage of aesthetic appeal. Based on earlier experience with a tiny CZ side by side .410 bore, I think I was expecting the Remington to be quite small, but it is a full size gun, right to its weight of 7 lbs 7 oz. That said, the guns is very balanced and tracks well. The 410 bore choice is one of control over power, recoil and range and scale to a shooting environment, not a dedication to a youth model firearm.

The Sportsman 410 has virtually no recoil, regardless the ammo selection. Both my wife and I shot the gun extensively and, I have to say, it was a pleasure ending the day without a head that was ringing like a bell or an NFL class shoulder injury. The 1″ thick recoil pad seems a bit of an overkill, but it did serve to bring the stock to a very comfortable length. I’d guess a smaller statured shooter, AKA kids, could be accommodated by changing out the recoil pad to something less cushy and trimming pull length by an inch to 12 7/8″. As an adult, pulling the gun into my shoulder resulted in a very natural point, The pistol grip angle and curve is comfortable, the forearm is the right width and form for a steady and natural hold. Even the checkering instills confidence as a no-slip surface.

The trigger is…OK. I think I put in too much time in on high powered centerfire rifles to be a judge of shotgun trigger function. The Remington’s trigger is not gritty, the pull effort isn’t excessive, it just seems a bit long on release. I will recues myself from making a judgment on this aspect of the gun as I understand, from folks with more shotgun specific experience, this is considered to be a quality gas shotgun trigger.

I am not sure what to do with a center bead. Actually, I’m not sure what to do with the front bead. I typically watch the target and my brain and peripheral vision keep track of the gun’s muzzle to make sure all are in the same county. But for those who like beads and know how to use them, they are very nice beads and the center one is within 1/2″ of barrel mid point. The center bead is 0.80″ brass the front 0.125″ white.

Khaaaaaaaaa…Akkkkaaaaa…Agagurgle – Chokes

Five knurl ended screw in chokes are included with the Sportsman 410. With the exception of the “LMod” inscribed choke tube, all are listed as OK for use with lead or steel shot.  Slugs vary in diameter and construction, however, Remington Express Rifled Slug packaging recommends the use of an improved cylinder choke for best performance. This is the case with most hollow skirt, rifled slugs.

NRA 30″ pattern targets were placed at twenty five yards, within recommended range for the .410 bore, as were conventional targets for slug accuracy testing. The only variable I had to deal with was the flock of wild turkeys that kept circulating from the surrounding woods to the range where they feed. I can’t help but take their presence as a somewhat sad commentary on my shooting skills. Very similar to the grouse that attacked my boot one deer season and caused me to be cited by a game warden for wanton and willful grouse kicking. A traumatic story I’ll save for another time.

3″ Winchester X High Speed magnum game loads, with 3/4 ounces of # 7 1/2 shot, put 88% of the shot in the 30″ circle with a full choke installed. Changing to Remington Express Long Range and #6 shot with an Improved Cylinder choke put 84% of the shot on target. Yes, tighter than a 12 gauge or other larger chambers, but also shot at a considerably shorter distance. The slug loads, shot mostly as a point of reference and single round loaded, went 2 1/2″ for Remington 2 1/2″ 1/5 oz Express Rifled Slug and 3 1/4″ for the Brenneke 3″ magnum 1/4 oz slug. Both three shot groups, both shot at twenty five yards.