gopher, I don't the 1100, but I have an 870 sp.. I really enjoy it for some types of shooting.. Forest grouse is one, and Az. quail is another.. Here in the plains, I do like a longer sight radius of the std. model 870.
My sp does feel a bit different, but if it had a 26 " barrel, I would probably use it even on the plains.. It only has a 21" barrel, but that is the same as a 26 " double..
