Riomouse, my 878 was a replacement for the 58. It also had a bulge in the barrel. I bought it for a song knowing that an 870 barrel would fit. I had to drill the gas ports but that was no problem. I also put a nylon bumber behind the bolt so that I could shoot modern loads. If you can find someone who has an extra barrel from one of the earlier 1100's it would cost less
The Model 11 Remington was made for many years. I was told that in the immediate post WW2 era Browning's A5's were modified Model 11's. The Browning marked guns were finished out and marked differently. There were no Belgium proofs. Wonder if some folks are shooting an old Remington and realizing it?
Addendum: Many years ago it was not unusual to run across Remington SxS doubles in active use down here. These, in our small sample, hammerless guns of featured automatic ejectors. My understanding is that the SxS guns were discontinued about the time the Model 11's were introduced. One of my hunting buddies would use a 1900 model SxS to bird hunt on occasion.
As I understand it, when FN was closed, then bombed, Browning A-5 were made by Remington. The main difference is the magazine cutoff. Remington stopped making the Model 11 in 1948, but continued to make Browning Auto 5's for Browning until around 1951 or '52. Those guns had both Browning's and Remington's name on them. By 1952 or so FN was back in business making the Auto 5.
I still get mine out and use it... As I get older though, it's getting "heavier"... lolMy understanding is that the SxS guns were discontinued about the time the Model 11's were introduced. One of my hunting buddies would use a 1900 model SxS to bird hunt on occasion.