Why the 1963 Remington Model 1100 is Still Considered the Best Shotgun Today

In the world of firearms, the word "revolutionary" gets thrown around far too casually. Most manufacturers claim their latest design will alter the industry, only for it to become a footnote a decade later. But in the fall of 1962, a tall engineer named Wayne Leek stood inside the Remington plant in Ilion, New York, lifted a brand-new autoloader from the wall, and made a prophetic promise to his team: "Gentlemen, this is the new Model 1100, and it's going to revolutionize shotgun shooting."

He was entirely right. Officially announced in January 1963, the Remington Model 1100 became the first truly modern shotgun.

When Field & Stream compiled its definitive list of the 50 Best Guns Ever Made, this 1963 staple was celebrated as a historic milestone. Developed by an engineering team using early computers and mass-production methods left over from World War II, the 1100 shattered expectations. More than 4 million units later, production continues to move forward every single day because today's shooters are still clamoring for its unmatched design.

The Softest-Shooting Gun Around

Before the 1100 arrived, postwar shooters wanted firepower, but they had to endure punishing, bone-rattling recoil from fixed-action or early autoloading shotguns. The Model 1100 wasn't the first gas-operated autoloader to hit the market, but it was the very first one to prove completely reliable.

Even better, it practically eliminated the kick. By bleeding expanding gas from the barrel closer to the chamber where pressures are consistent, the action transformed a harsh punch into a gentle, pleasant shove. Comparative tests conducted by Remington revealed that the 1100 slashed felt recoil by 40 percent compared to other autoloaders, and a staggering 50 percent compared to fixed-action guns.

The firearm instantly took over competitive shooting. Just three years after hitting the shelves, it was the most popular gun at the U.S. Skeet Championships. By the 1970s and '80s, the 1100 accounted for up to 70 percent of the shotguns in use at major skeet tournaments, setting world records along the way, including a perfect 500-out-of-500 targets shattered across four different gauges by Remington's own Jimmy Prall.

Remington Model 1100 Built Like a Bowling Pin

Part of the firearm's legendary status is its brute durability. Remington coated the wood stocks with a tough, high-gloss "RKW" finish developed by its parent company, DuPont. It was the exact same bulletproof coating used to protect bowling pins from high-impact collisions, making the wood completely weatherproof, oil-proof, and highly scratch-resistant.

Reviewing a pristine, decades-old model, Outdoor Life testers noted that the bowling-pin finish gave the wood and steel the sheer durability of a modern synthetic stock. They also praised the functional Fleur-di-Lis checkering on the pistol grip, which kept the gun from getting slippery even when drenched with water.

The gun is also incredibly versatile. It excels as a duck gun, can take down turkeys, serves as a viable deer gun during firearm season, and rules the uplands. Plus, it field-strips without a single tool - you simply unscrew the fore-end cap, slide the fore-end off, and the barrel disengages from the action.

Here's why the Remington 870 remains a top turkey gun and how you can customize yours for peak field performance: https://t.co/P20M5jXUKmpic.twitter.com/pCBaZZQsfU

— Outdoor Life (@outdoorlife) June 5, 2026

Why It Beats Modern Shotguns Today

The Remington Model 1100 crossed the one-million production mark in 1972, flew past two million in 1977, and hit three million by 1983. It laid the absolute engineering foundation for future upgrades like the 11-87, yet the original 1100 remains an unmatched value.

On the used market, a beautifully crafted wood-and-steel Model 1100 can regularly be found for as little as $700. Experts argue that when you look at what a crisp $700 bill buys you in a brand-new, modern shotgun versus a vintage 1100, the 1963 classic wins out every single time. There simply isn't a modern gun at that price point built with the same level of old-school craftsmanship. Seven decades after it was conceived in a New York conference room, wood-and-steel purists are still hooked on the greatest autoloader to ever do it.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the Gear section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 1:07 AM.