Remington "Special Purpose"
- Thread starter cuervo
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There were several Special Purpose Remingtons made. They were set up for specific types of hunting rather than an all purpose shotgun. There were Special Purpose, turkey, deer, and waterfowl versions.
Some of the earlier versions were actually Wingmasters with real parkerized metal and matte finished walnut stocks. They are well made and pretty rare. I currently have one of the nice 870's and used to have an 11-87 version that I have since sold. I've only seen 3-4 of the early Walnut stocked versions Shortly after being introduced they changed to the Express versions with matte blue and cheap stocks. I guess there were not many who were willing to pay extra for the nicer wood and better metal finish.
Some of the earlier versions were actually Wingmasters with real parkerized metal and matte finished walnut stocks. They are well made and pretty rare. I currently have one of the nice 870's and used to have an 11-87 version that I have since sold. I've only seen 3-4 of the early Walnut stocked versions Shortly after being introduced they changed to the Express versions with matte blue and cheap stocks. I guess there were not many who were willing to pay extra for the nicer wood and better metal finish.
Runningman
Member
Bought a new Remington 3" Special Purpose Magnum waterfowl version around 1986 or 87 it has a 26" barrel kind of unusual at the time. You could order it in a 26" or a 28" at the time. It also has a bead blasted parkerized metal to cut down on the glare and a dull finished walnut stock. It also came with a wide padded nylon camo sling. And a chromed lined barrel. Normal Wingmaster barrels were not chromed lined at time I bought this. The parkerized metal and chromed lined barrel did wonders to prevent rust. To this day it has no rust on it.
It cost me more than a Wingmaster Magnum at the time. Unfortunately over the years after this was made Remington started cutting corners on the the Special Purpose.
It cost me more than a Wingmaster Magnum at the time. Unfortunately over the years after this was made Remington started cutting corners on the the Special Purpose.
Virginian
Member
My buddy got an 1100SP like Runningman's 870 about the same time frame, and he still has it. It still looks about like it did out of the box.
NoAlibi
Member
SPECIAL - not special field
Around 1989 I bought a NIB Remington 1100, 12 gauge, 2 3/4" chamber, 21" vent-rib barrel, choked IC with front and center beads. It has a nicely grained walnut English stock (no pistol grip) sharp cut checkering - not pressed.
The receiver is plain with high luster blueing. Only the left side is marked "Remington Model 1100 SPECIAL" - not special field.
It will not take standard barrels and the capacity is 4+1.
I prefer pistol-grip stocks, but I've gotten very used to it because it is so handy and now I don't notice that the pistol grip is "missing". This is my carry gun when I'm "patroling" my 24 acres. I am very pleased with it.
I've never seen another and I was wondering if anyone else come across one like this?
Around 1989 I bought a NIB Remington 1100, 12 gauge, 2 3/4" chamber, 21" vent-rib barrel, choked IC with front and center beads. It has a nicely grained walnut English stock (no pistol grip) sharp cut checkering - not pressed.
The receiver is plain with high luster blueing. Only the left side is marked "Remington Model 1100 SPECIAL" - not special field.
It will not take standard barrels and the capacity is 4+1.
I prefer pistol-grip stocks, but I've gotten very used to it because it is so handy and now I don't notice that the pistol grip is "missing". This is my carry gun when I'm "patroling" my 24 acres. I am very pleased with it.
I've never seen another and I was wondering if anyone else come across one like this?
Virginian
Member
Never seen one with the same rollmarking as yours, but otherwise it certainly sounds the same as a Special Field.
earlthegoat2
Member
Hence the state of the american shotgun industry today. Cheap at all costs. (no pun intended)
Remington does make some questional guns, the 710 was a bust....but if you want a Wingmaster, you pay extra for the nice blueing and the walnut....
They have to compete with China, Russia, Serbia, etc...like all the rest of the USA businesses....and they do cut some corners to get their price down....like birch stocks and plastic trigger guards.....and no iron sites on their rifles anymore.....
They have to compete with China, Russia, Serbia, etc...like all the rest of the USA businesses....and they do cut some corners to get their price down....like birch stocks and plastic trigger guards.....and no iron sites on their rifles anymore.....
A lot of people blame the firearms makers for making the shortcuts, but it is really our fault. Not enough are willing to pay the extra and the gun companies have to cut corners anywhere they can in order to stay in business. If Mossberg finds a way to make their gun $5 cheaper they will get more sales, then Remington has to find a way to save another $10 just to be competetative. When they make a nice gun they sit on the shelves unsold because it costs more.
earlthegoat2
Member
This is a statement that is very true. The consumer drives the market. The market would not be what it is today without consumer input putting their dollars where they want the market to go.
NoAlibi
Member
Wal-Mart Society
Well, there you have it - we have become a Wal-Mart society. They sell for less because the public wants to buy for less. That's not necessarily a bad thing when we need to strectch a dollar for whatever reason.
But as other posters have mentioned there is a price for our behavior. I've lived a couple of small towns that were "invaded" by Wal-Mart. After they crushed the competition the towns became indistinct because the closing of the local shops ended the uniqueness that gave the town it's flavor. No longer were the locals responsible to the community, instead some nebulous corporations only interested in the bottom line emerged to take their place.
Guns are now slap-dashed together made by workers in third world countries who have taken the jobs and craftsmanship that were once ours. But there is a solution.
For those who appreciate quality, it is still available from many of the gunsmiths and custom gun makers residing throughout our country. If you shop wisely a superior gun can be had without taking out a second mortgage on you house.
I "treated" myself to one such rifle and I have never regreted it. In fact it's value to me goes up with every increase in inflation. Support these guys because they are are going to be our only hope for a quality gun in the future.
Sorry for going off course, but not for the rant -- NoAlibi
Well, there you have it - we have become a Wal-Mart society. They sell for less because the public wants to buy for less. That's not necessarily a bad thing when we need to strectch a dollar for whatever reason.
But as other posters have mentioned there is a price for our behavior. I've lived a couple of small towns that were "invaded" by Wal-Mart. After they crushed the competition the towns became indistinct because the closing of the local shops ended the uniqueness that gave the town it's flavor. No longer were the locals responsible to the community, instead some nebulous corporations only interested in the bottom line emerged to take their place.
Guns are now slap-dashed together made by workers in third world countries who have taken the jobs and craftsmanship that were once ours. But there is a solution.
For those who appreciate quality, it is still available from many of the gunsmiths and custom gun makers residing throughout our country. If you shop wisely a superior gun can be had without taking out a second mortgage on you house.
I "treated" myself to one such rifle and I have never regreted it. In fact it's value to me goes up with every increase in inflation. Support these guys because they are are going to be our only hope for a quality gun in the future.
Sorry for going off course, but not for the rant -- NoAlibi
btucker238
Member
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2009
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- 1
a lil bit of the subject here....does anyone know where i can buy a forend for a remington 1148 and if the forend for the remington 110 or any other gun will interchange with an 1148?
Virginian
Member
Remington 11-48 stocks
Numrich has some, and so do http://www.gun-parts.com/remingtonstocks/
Numrich has some, and so do http://www.gun-parts.com/remingtonstocks/
NoAlibi
Member
Lots of stuff kept me from getting back to you, but cmaera, gun and computer have come together for this picture of my Remington 1100 marked "Special".
I used to carry a Ruger Red Lable 20ga O/U for quail hunting, but since the "Special" has an English stock it fits in my saddle scabbard I now carry it in the event I come on a triple - Now, I didn't say that I make the triple, but the extra capacity at least gives me the opportunity to do it.
Left side with roll mark "Special"
Other side - English stock with 21" barrel and saddle scabbard
Attachments
Virginian
Member
NoAlibi, I believed you. It's a Special Field, it just isn't marked Special Field, it's marked Special. Remington has done this type of thing throught the second half of the 20th Century. When they were changing from the LW20 to the LT20 1100s, they essentially made some LTs marked LW. Some Wingmasters aren't marked Wingmaster. I have seen a Wingmaster Express. I have seen one 11-87 with 1100 scrollwork on the receiver, and it doesn't say 1100 or 11-87 anywhere on it, just the serial number, but the bolt is plain and the guts are pure 11-87. I think whoever runs the rollmarking department is kind of laid back.... or related to the boss.
NoAlibi
Member
You never gave an indication that you didn't believe me nor did I ever feel that way.
I've read many of your posts and have come to respect your opinion. The pictures were merely to suppliment your data base and not as a defense.
Kudos -- NoAlibi
Virginian
Member
Okay, good. That is a nice looking gun. I came close to getting one in 20 gauge, but I was right in the middle of my SxS "phase" and spent megabucks on 20 and 28 gauge SxSs instead. Now all the SxSs but one are gone. I never could shoot any of them as well as my LT20.
Well said jmr40. A book should be written about the lack of quality and how it relates to the hunters/shooters and their financial status through the years. As hunting/shooting becomes less mainstream I don't see things getting better in the quality department.
Most of the special purpose guns I remember seeing in the early 90's were 10gauges and they were heavy to say the least.
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