A Remington 1100 .410 gauge semi-automatic
I have owned a lot of guns in my life. Beside the two starter single barrel shotguns, I have owned and shot a 12 gauge LC Smith Double, a 16 Gauge Fox Sterlingworth Double, a Browning Sweet 16 and multiple rifles and pistols. But my favorite gun of all time – which I still have – is my Remington Model 1100 .410 shotgun.
I came across it maybe 35 years ago and took it on a trade. It was in mint condition and had an open choke, quite unusual for a .410.
From then on, it was my shotgun of choice. I took it bird hunting and shot wild quail, doves, pen raised quail, chukars and even pheasants. It was a perfect gun for me because I shoot quickly – it’s either hit or miss. And if I had a more potent gun, a 12 or 16 gauge for example, I would have blown the birds to bits. It fit perfectly and with the open choke, I didn’t miss often. Plus, it was ultra-light and easy to carry, and you could put an entire box of shells in your hunting coat and not know they were there.
I no longer hunt. Those 5-mile jaunts through grain fields are meant for younger men, and I’ve killed enough game for a lifetime.
My little .410, though, stands ready for a new hunter and it still shoots as well as it ever did.