As I have stated many times over the years, I am a lover of shotguns; smoothbores reign supreme in my firearms world. So every time I notice something new or improved or just something I missed in the shotgun world, I get very excited. Recently I came across a couple of guns that I hadn’t paid much attention to, boy that was a mistake. If you are interested in the clay target sports and want an all-around gun for trap, skeet, sporting clays, as well as any of the other smoothbore sports, one of these guns just might be your ticket to clay busting bliss.

First up, the Remington® 1100 Competition Synthetic (1100 Comp S). This gun is yet another variation of Remington’s venerable semi-auto classic. The Model 1100 has been with us for over 50 years and millions have been sold. The 1100 has always been a very handsome gun that has come in more gauges, finishes, and use specific options than I could possibly list here. The 1100 Comp S will fill one’s needs for a target gun built on one of the most reliable gas semi-autos of all time. There is only one model 1100 Comp S available; it has a 30 inch back bored barrel, a Teflon® nickel finish on the receiver and many internal parts, and a synthetic stock and forearm with a carbon fiber finish. The stock has an adjustable comb and a recoil reducing butt pad. A 10 mm target rib tops the barrel and 5 excellent Briley® Probore chokes are included and the gun is chambered for 2 ¾ inch 12 gauge shells. MSRP of the 1100 Comp S is $1305.00, but I have recently found the guns available for slightly less than a $1000. Over the decades I have shot many 1100s; I love them. They are accurate, soft shooting guns and this one would do anyone proud.

The other gun that I stumbled onto is the Beretta® A400 Xcel Multitarget. This gun is quite a bit more expensive that the 1100 Comp S (MSRP starts at $2900), but wow, it is one sexy semi-auto! The gun has an adjustable comb and rib making it quite easy to maximize the shooter’s abilities. The Steelium barrels, available in 28, 30, and 32 inches, come with interchangeable chokes and the gun is chambered for 3 inch 12 gauge shells. The gun has an oversized bolt and an elongated bolt release. If you have ever used a Beretta® semi-auto shotgun, you will immediately appreciate the improved bolt release; no more sore thumbs. The gun is stocked with a quite nice grade walnut. Many Italian shotgun manufactures produce guns with long lengths of pull and, for me, overly wide combs, and I’ve had gun fit problems with them. While I haven’t had the opportunity to try a Multitarget, I’m quite sure that with the adjustable comb and rib, I can find the “sweet spot” with the results being pretty much nothin’ but dust.

If you are looking for a clay target shotgun that will perform on just about any type of shotgun range, either of these guns will give you a lifetime of service. Both have decades of reliable, proven, and long lasting quality.

Be safe and good shooting.

Colonel Smoothbore