I just bought a 12ga Model 1000M 3" chamber with full fixed choke and 30" barrel at a local gun show for what I hope was a bargain $200. It looks in pretty good shape and would say it hasn't been fired in some time. I bought it as an entry level gun to shoot trap mostly. My other shotgun is a 20 ga Winchester 101 featherweight so obviously not suitable. I'm a novice shooter but enjoy it and want to get better but don't want to invest in an expensive shotgun at this point until I work on my skills and get better.

Having said that, I'm interested in the mechanics of the auto-loader and anxious to learn as much as I can about how it works and how to service it properly. I have been reading up on this particular gun, I guess I might of bought bit of an odd duck. I have watched a number youtube videos, really like Big Ed's videos on the 1000.

Anyway, a couple of questions. I have had the barrel off and it definitely has only one gas port on the underside. I have read that these may not cycle 2 3/4" shells even if properly working. Is that true? I don't see target load available in 3" so that seems a problem.

The other issue I have found is that the gas cylinder can get gummed up badly from the recoil washer degrading and leaving a bunch of black goo inside. I have read that carb cleaner works pretty well on this and that an ordinary garden hose gasket might fit or I can shoot it without. My understanding is also that I should never lube the inside of that tube. Also correct?

Thanks

Welcome jeffob,
The 1000M will probably not cycle with 2 3/4" trap loads, but you will only be taking one shot at a time anyway.
True also about the black goo and no lube on the gas piston or tube.
Manual and more info can be found here:
Model 3000 & 1000 Shotgun, 1500 & 1700 Rifle Manuals

Old model 1000 semiauto shotgun

S&W model 1000 shotgun shock absorber ring

KO

Thanks KO for the links. I was able to get the piston and gas cylinder cleaned up pretty well and bought a cheap package of the yellow neoprene garden hose washers. I think the diameter is about right, although it might be a bit thicker - hard to tell since the old rubber one was disintegrated.

I figure that the rubber washer has to be tight enough to hold the metal washer in place or I should leave both washers out of the assembly. The metal washer alone will move around and likely jam the mechanism otherwise.