I've been thinking about picking one of these up, but from talking to a couple trusted individuals here, I understand they both had substantial misgivings about the feel of these guns when shouldering them. I'm guessing it must have something to do with the English stock. Does anyone carry one of these, and if so, what's your opinion? I'm specifically interested in a lightweight gas operated semi-auto, mainly used for grouse. 20 gauge or 12 gauge, in that order of preference.

Thanks for your input, guys.

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..

I heard someone describe it as a "poke & hope" gun but I had one in 20 gauge that was a pretty good quail gun. I'd think it would be good for grouse too.

One thing about them, at least in 20 gauge, if you don't like it you probably won't have any trouble selling it. I sold it to help buy a 26" Citori 20 gauge and it went quick for a little more than I paid for it.

Im not a fan, dont care for how they handle one bit. Their probly good for the "poke and hope" gunning but anything in the open you should kill easy might get away given the short comings of this gun. Just not for me.

One of my all time favorite auto loaders. I love the short barrel and English style stock. And a 1100 is hard to beat for function and feeding if you clean it once a year.

^^^This in a 20ga is a sweet gun ^^^^


Around here you can not fine any. That must say something.

You could do worse but you would have to try. However, if you must then go 20. Ive shot them in a 12 and they are not that much fun. Nor will the recoil do you any favors getting back onto the stock for a second shot. Shoot a 12 before you part with your money.

You need to actually handle one of these before you do anything.. Try mounting it to the shoulder several times..

I cannot use an English straight-stock.. My wrist just won't bend enough to be comfortable at all..

What battue said on the 12. More recoil plus muzzle blast. IMO the 12 would be better as a riot gun.

My dad had an original Special Field in 12 with the 21" barrel.. he swore by it for quail. I hunted with it a bit, and though it handled and shot just fine. The English stock isn't my thing...but it never caused me any issues.

While I would like a 20 in a special field, all one had to do is shoot 1 0z, loads and you have a 20 with the advantage of cheap shells.. The 20 would be slimmer and a fine arm.. Never thought much about muzzle blast with the 21" barrel.. Even with 1 1/8 oz. loads one does notice the recoil in a pump after shooting doves..

Had a browning version for a short while some years ago. It was OK I guess for thicket hunting grouse if that's your thing ,but as someone said too much like a riot gun for me. It didn't stay long.

It is kind of funny when one talks of a pump with a 21" barrel as a riot gun.. It has a 26" sight radius just like a 26" double.. folk like them fine.. A matter of taste I am sure.. While the special field is fine for grouse and quail I also prefer a longer barrel for most of my gunning, but in those situations, the special field is a dandy..

They are great handling guns in 20ga. If you appreciate the English stock, you will love it. I have had the 1100 and currently an 11-87. The 11-87 functions just as well but will shoot 3" and the receivers were nicely roll engraved.

UNLIKE the 870 versions, the barrels are interchangeable with the normal field versions. The 870 had a different barrel lug distance.

I'm the one that initially said, "IMO it would be better as a riot gun". It's not the barrel length, like you said it's got a 26" sight radius. To me it's the 12s weight and balance compared to the 20s. Granted that's only my opinion there's probably plenty of people that like the 12.

Not a problem... Short guns are popular, but I think my own SF would handle a bit better with maybe a 24 or 25" barrel... But for forest grouse and quail it is fine..

You need to actually handle one of these before you do anything.. Try mounting it to the shoulder several times..

I cannot use an English straight-stock.. My wrist just won't bend enough to be comfortable at all..

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^^^ This ^^^ X 10

I`ve had the 1100 Special Field in 12 and 20 and thought they would be more comfortable to shoot if they had a top tang safety.
Wrong, I tried a BPS Upland Special in 20 ga. for a season.
It just wasn`t comfortable to shoot.
I ended up with a pair of Benelli Montefeltros in 12 and 20 ga.
Couldn`t be happier!!