The Remington model 1100 autoloading (semi-automatic) shotgun was first announced

Designed by Wayne Leek, the Remington Model 1100 was introduced in 1963 as a successor to the Model 58 and 878 gas operated shotguns. It found immediate high levels of acceptance due to its perceived excellent handling characteristics and a significant reduction in felt recoil. The Model 58s had supplanted the recoil operated Model 11-48, which retained the long recoil action of John Browning's original design, present in the Remington Model 11 and the Auto-5. All models of the 1100 are gas operated , with a mechanism that noticeably reduces recoil.. Several variations of the Model 1100, in 12, 20, and 28 gauges, and .410 bore are still in production as of 2009. The Remington Model 1100 ushered in the era of truly successful and reliable gas actuated autoloading shotguns, and it is the best selling autoloading shotgun in U.S. history.