Home Forums Reloading 16 Gauge Society Remington 16 gauge

I have had Remington 31L in 16 for about 25 years that was my grandfathers. Used it exclusively before I bought a shotgun of my own so I have always had a fondness for the 16.

This past weekend I ran across a Remington 1100 with vent rib barrel, fixed IC choke darn near mint except for a scratch on the right side of the stock. I have and 1100 in 12 and 20 and had one in .410 which I regret letting it slip away to a friend which is even worse since I know where it is.

Question is how common was the 1100 16 in this configuration this is the first I have run across and I have looked through a lot of used gun racks over the years. Can’t wait to break it down and make sure springs are up to snuff and get this back in the field.

I've only ever seen a couple and they were plain barrel models good snag. Be damn careful of the o-ring I'll bet they are few and far between. IC choke will be the tits. Nice score..mb

Congratulations.

I also have the same huge sentimental spot for the 16 gauge as you do. My first gun that my Dad gave me was a 16 and I would comfortably say that I have killed more game with it than I have all my other guns combined. It put a lot of food on the table for sure.

Should be a 16 ga Standard weight and have an "X" as the last alplha in the serial. I believe that all parts, with the exception of the bolt, cartridge release and forend, will interchange with the 12 ga. Very good shotgun. I would just put in a new Recoil spring and O-Ring as long as its' broken down. Have fun.

Darrel

My understanding is the suffix should be a “W” for 16 gauge which this one has. As I am taking it apart for cleaning it appears all the parts are labeled with a 16. There is a 16 stamped on the back of the bolt and the trigger group has a 16 on it as well.

When I worked in a gun shop, they sent me to the local John Deere dealer for "O" rings. I forget the part number.


Not long ago, I scarfed up on a nice, old Rem "Sportsman" in 16 gauge. The barrel wasn't original to the gun, so I sent it to Briley in Houston, TX.
It now has three different choke tubes. 😃
My first gun (I was 4 years old) was a L.C. Smith 16. My grampa swore by the 16. For my 16th b'day, my parents gave me a 16 gauge shotgun.

I’ve only seen 2 or 3 in all my years in the Gun business.

My understanding is that the 1100 16 ga is a 12 ga with a heavier 16 ga barrel and a a 16 ga bolt. Or said differently a 12 ga that shoots 16 ga ammo.

At one time 12, 16 and 20 gauge model 1100s used the same receiver. Ultimately the 20 gauge was changed to the smaller 28-410 gauge receiver. The 16 was always a full size or standard receiver except for the bolt and some internal parts.

The 16 and 12 ga receiver are both the same in the mossberg 500's too. Only difference is the marking for the 12 is 500A and the 16 is 500B.

There are some slight differences in some of the internal parts. Namely the bolt for the 16 has deeper milling in the bolt so the extractors will be tighter on the rim of the shell and work better. But it's not a huge difference in depth.

Picked up a 16 wingmaster the other day, with intent on making it a turkey gun. Started looking for a short barrel with choke tubes ,( no luck yet). Sumtoy chokes said they could rework the barrel for one of their chokes, but really hate to chop the original barrel. Looked at Boyds for camp stock replacement ( they said forearm stock they made was for 12 ga and likey wouldn't work. Not as easy as I was hoping. Anyone done any of these modifications ?

What choke is the current barrel?

I don't recall ever seeing a shorter barrel for a 16 gauge Wingmaster. They did make a few slug barrels but those are tough to find and pricy if you do.

When it comes to Rem 1100 and 870 16ga parts, the pickings are thin. As are the guns themselves.

Yesterday at a gun show, I saw 2, 870 16ga guns. Both plain barrel in so-so condition, 1 28" Mod, the other 30" Full. Each priced in the $800 range. The 1, 1100 16ga plain barrel I saw, 28" Mod plain bbl, had seen better days. Price tag on that one was $1800!

I did talked to one vendor that always has a pant load of barrels. Asked if he had any 870 16ga VR bbls. It was one of those questions you almost surely know the answer to, but are surprised when you here otherwise. In short he had one - 26", VR, IC, as new.........$335. I took his card and am contemplating it.

Prices are crazy but honestly not a bad buy on that barrel these days. About 4 years ago in Cabelas I bought an older 16 gauge 870. Corncob style forearm with a modified vent rib barrel I think it was $350 . When I started the paperwork the sales guy mentioned it had another barrel. Ended up being a Simmons rib , poly choke 26" . I put that barrel on eBay a year or so later ( not a poly fan ) Ended up over $425 just the barrel.

Pretty much came to the conclusion that I'm gonna acquire the 26" VR IC bbl. Troutnut is to blame.

Fixed modified, I spoke with a gunsmith and he said he could shorten and thread the barrel for screw in chokes. But I hate to ruin the original barrel, would rather buy one already good to go.

For that much moolah, Briley (Houston, TX) can fix you up and you get three (3) choke tubes.

True, Briley can do the job and provide 3 chokes, for the same money as the barrel I'm considering. That said, there's something to be said about maintaining a modicum of originality.

The REAL unanswered questions is - how much did you steal it for ?

I've followed the prices on 1100 16ga for only a short time, but from what I can tell, the sky seems to be the limit on these. Classic Field versions fetch even more.

I've followed the prices on 1100 16ga for only a short time, but from what I can tell, the sky seems to be the limit on these. Classic Field versions fetch even more.[/quote]


I’m a 16 ga fan, but never had interest in a 12 ga with a 16 ga barrel and minor other internal changes. Which is what I understand the 1100 16 ga is.

I have four 16 ga 1100’s and three 870’s. Vent rib barrels make them worth a lot more. I’ve seen 870 vent rib barrels alone go for $550 on eBay.

I bought a 1932 Rem "Sportsman" 16 gauge.
After much research, the barrel (IC) the gun had was not original to the action.
Since I wanted the gun to be "sorta" universal, I sent it to Briley.
The choke tubes are "internal". Unless you just "KNOW" to look at the muzzle for the wrench slots, you can't tell it's tubed.
Probably have more invested than the gun is worth, but I have no intention of selling it! It will be handed down.

All I could offer are a sweet pointing "corncob" 870 and a beautiful 48 in Remington 16 gauges. Either one eliminates a need for a pocket full of "O" rings.

2, 1100 16ga Classic Fields sold on GB in the last couple of days. One went for $2K, the other $1800. Same guy bought both! Muxst nice to have deep pockets......

There is a LNIB 870 16 gauge with a plain barrel on Gun Broker that is at $1800+ now.
I should have bought Remington guns instead of investing in a 401K all of these years.

Back in the day of the beginning of V Nam. A buddy and I at the time 16,17. We done alot of hunting together. I with my mod 12 16 ga. And my buddy with 870 16 ga. We used to se who could get on the rabbit the fastest walking side by side. Honestly we could never tell. It always sounded like one loud shot. But the 870 he had was on its own frame. Like the model 12 on its own frame. Sense that time I acquired another mod 12 16ga. A 2 barrel set. Matching serial numbers.
My buddy been gone now for 7 years now. He'll was a hell of a trapper. Good enough the state would have him go after the difficult game. Myself I never got into that end of it. Aaaaah them were the days.

About a month back I was watching a online action that would go live on saturday. All the guns belonged to 1 big time Remington collector in southeast SD. There was a lnib 870 16ga 28" modified choke with VR still had all box and papers.
Did not look like it had ever been shot, by Friday nite at 10.pm it was up to 2550. At 1pm the next day live the gavel went down on it at $5300.00 . I watched 25 guns at the start go for 2 to 3 times their worth , realized I wasn't buying anything there. Got up went over to the concession bought a bowl of chili and a sandwich finished them and bought a cup of coffee for the ride home. 200 + Remington collecter guns, about 150 to 200 on hand bidders. Never in my life seen so many people in one spot who had more money than sense. Seeing and checking out the guns was all I scored plus the chili was good. Fug auctions..
Mb

I know everyone here is talking 1100's and 870's but a quick question. Are the older 11-48 16ga worth much? I have one in good shape, just replaced the extractor, that's one of my favorites.

Back in the late 70's, I worked in a small gun store/shop.
At that time, the owner would not order 16 gauge guns nor offer more than a mere pittance on a "trade-in".
The 16 was, for all intent and purpose, dead.
At that point, I should have gone on a 16 gauge buying spree.
Nobody wanted them. They weren't worth anything so folks just stuck them in the back of their collective closets and conveniently forgot about them.......until now.
I don't for a second think the 16 will replace the 12 or the 20.
I don't think a 3" or 3.5" 16 gauge will ever happen. There is no reason.
But I digress!
I'm a 16 gauge nut! I have 5. They will all be handed down. Some folks may have more, but they can't love them anymore than I do! LOL!

2 - Win M12
1 - L.C. Smith (inherited!)
1 - Savage 67D (16th birthday present)
1 - Rem "Sportsman" (one of the first 500 made in 1932!)

I'm always looking.
I'm always picking up a box of ammo when I can! 😉

Eh Martin you don't have the essence of a 16 until you own a Browning Sweet 16 made in Belgium. Mb

Totally agree, MB. I have a 311, a Miroku A-5, a six digit 870, a Citori Lightning from 2001, all of them super nice shotguns but the one that makes them all seem just not quite the pinnacle, is a '57 Sweet with a VR and modified choke.

I can't hit the ground with an M12. Love the workmanship etc but I just can't make them work.

Yeah BK my a-5 Belgium sweet is a 59 it is also VR and modified. My jap is nice with the invectors but it don't feel like a Belgium made one. Just picked up a early 16 ga 870 plain barrel, they handle sweet also. Mb

This is how I am with a Model 37 R Deluxe I picked up a year and a half ago.

Starlings flock to my buddies chicken pen once things freeze up or if snow covers their normal feeding areas. We hide and kill the schitt out of them, or at least I tried with this particular 16.

Very good chance it is going back to the guy I got it from. He wouldn't mind having it back and I am thinking I should oblige. Very nice gun but just doesn't work for me.

I have a Remington Sportsman 58, with a plain barrel that came on it new, plus vent rib barrel in improved cylinder. To be clear this is not for sale. I killed a lot of quail with this back when we had quail. it was under the Christmas tree back in 1959-or 60. I was asking for a bolt action .22- or a single shot .22. At the time a single shot was $12 and the repeater was $21, From Sears and Roebuck. We were poor and I expected neither. Big surprise. miles

10gaugemag,
Beautiful gun!

I'm pretty sure I've posted pics of these before, apologies in advance for my redundancy.

Here's an early first year Wingmaster in 16, 5 digit serial


And a 1936 M31 in 16, also with the 30" barrel as is the 870 above.

Very nice.
I bought a 1946 model 31 last week, 16ga. 26" modified. Been reblued, but very well done.
Haven't fired it yet, but it feels like a 20 ga. in my hands.
I also have a 1954 870adl in 16 ga.

Just love those vintage pump guns.

Very nice

Thanks gents. I bought both of these a few years ago when it seemed you could pick them up very inexpensively. I think I paid $225 for the M31 and not much more for the 870.

Nice early 870. The very early guns like yours have "wingmaster" between the trigger pins and not in the middle of the receiver like all later guns.
I have early 870 ADL's in all 3 gauges and contrary to an above poster until the 28/410 and 20ga.LW's came out all 870's had the same receiver.
And like you mine were bought when they were cheap to buy.

I also have a 16ga Sportsman 58, plain barrel Imp.Cyl. that I honestly shoot better than any other gun I have. Love it. I don't know if it's the stock dimensions or what, but I've threatened to have all of my shotguns modified to the same dimensions, that gun just plain shoots where I'm looking like no other!

Mebbe not MB! LOL!
Just one.of them "thangs"! The old Brownings and the Rem M11 with the square back were never appealing to me....but I cut my teeth on a Win M12. Just grew to prefer them.
The Rem "Sportsman" isn't as "square" as the A5 or M11.

I inherited my Dad's 16ga 870. I think it's from the early 60s. It wasn't for sitting around to look at, it's pretty rough looking. I'll probably shoot a few roosters with it this fall.