LaDano
I knew the 870's interchanged. The only difference was the ejector, a part that had been made in 2 3/4 and 3 inch lengths(riveted to the receiver in the 870). This was changed in the late '70s or early '80s. There is now a single part number.. If the receiver in question has the 3 inch ejector there is no difference.. The 1100 barrel sold by Cabela's is a Remington!! After contacting remington and receiving little satisfaction I checked some parts lists.. The 3 inch 1100's have a couple of parts that differ from each other. The bolt buffer, this retains the firing pin in the bolt, and the 'action bar sleeve'. This latter is the gas piston and there are differences between the 2 3/4 and 3 inch guns. The short chamber guns' gas piston has some lightening cuts which are not present on the 3 inch gas piston. This would add weight to the reciprocating parts and slow bolt velocity and may explain the ban on 3 inch lead shot loads. The parts are however interchangeable. The parts list from Brownells does not show seperate 'action bar sleeves' from remington as replacement parts. The Brownells tech graciously checked the available stock, to which both the 2 3/4 and 3 inch parts lists pointed and they were all of the heavy variation. The firing pins retainers seem different only in color with the 2 3/4 inch parts being chromed and the 3 inch parts being blued. This quite probably indicates a differrent tempering process and both parts are interchangeable. So,,if these are the only changes to the guns why the extra cost?? Good question!! Remington would not tell me or some others who've asked, perhaps you'll have better luck. I won't tell you to shot lead 3 inch ammo in these barrels but I will say that Remington says 3 inch steel is ok in these barrels and the only differences in the guns as far as replacement parts go are 2, neither of which is a critical component. The action bar sleeve IS a bit lighter in the 2 3/4 inch guns but obviously safe with steel in the 3 inch ammo although it may cause a slight increase in bolt velocity with lead loaded ammo. This would probably accelerate wear if significant amounts of lead 3 inch ammo were used. Breaking a bolt buffer may also occur(there is also only 1 of these available as replacement parts). Should create a catostropic failure, if indeed it fails at all.. So in conclusion, 870's if they have the correct ejector(all will if realtively new, 10-15 years or less) will work just fine with the appropriate barrel for the smmo used. The 1100's also must have the correct barrel and while there are differences they are minor and will most likely cause mildly accelerated wear when 3 in lead ammo is used. I would bet money the newest 1100's regardless of the designation, use only 3 inch components.. If any have an 1100 purchased in the past 2-5 years would like to check just email and I'll explain what to look for..
Still as always (per my attorney) use the above information at your own peril.. good luck from the gunnut69
