Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

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JOG
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Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

I found this old 1940 made Remington model 31 pump action shotgun the other day. The model 31 is my favorite pump action shotgun.
Yes I also like the Winchester 12 and Ithaca and High Standard and a few other classic pump actions!
Made from 1931 to 1949, in 1950 the Remington 870 came out and was incredibly successful!
This one looks like its been there and done that! The outside is a bit beaten up. The inside is perfect!
This old beater came in 20 gauge I.C. choke with a 26 inch barrel. All numbers match, receiver barrel and trigger housing.
I put 15 dove load's thru it after a quick clean up and oiling. It functioned perfectly. Then I broke it down and gave it a good cleaning.
I'm thinking perhaps a rebluing job and refinishing job on the stock. Anybody know anyone who does hot bluing at reasonable price?
Opinions please gentleman.3]DSC_8725.JPG[/attachment]
DSC_8725.JPG
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Last edited by JOG on Fri May 14, 2021 6:21 am, edited 2 times in total.
JOG
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

I forgot to say that I think it was reblued before.

Update, after breaking the 31 down and looking everything over, I think it's all original. :D
Last edited by JOG on Fri May 14, 2021 6:24 am, edited 2 times in total.
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earlmck
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by earlmck »

A fine looking classic there! I like the look of honest wear and would leave it just like she is. But that's just me, and I live in dry country where rust is not a worry.
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gamekeeper
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by gamekeeper »

A very nice find, congratulations.. :mrgreen:
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GunnyMack
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by GunnyMack »

I'd say that's the original blue, I'd leave it alone and get ready for dove season!
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JOG
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

A few more photos.
DSC_8744.JPG
DSC_8735.JPG
DSC_8739.JPG
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765x53
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by 765x53 »

It looks just as it should. A great old upland gun.
JOG
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

Thank you gentleman, I think I'll leave it as is.
It's good to have a old shotgun where you don't have to worry about bumps and dings!
3leggedturtle
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by 3leggedturtle »

Looks really good to me. Id keep the way it is. My furst 12 fauge was a Model 31.
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by Jay Bird »

Hey Johnny.....what makes you think it was reblued?.....that last picture shows the proper tone and the lettering looks crisp from what I see of your pics.....BTW, your hell at pictures....maybe you ought to put down the pack of Newports and switch to Salems....... :D
JOG
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

Yeah Jaybird, I gots to gets me off dem menthols! I tired of hocking up smurfs every mornin!
To much lung butter no good! When I purchased the shotgun down at the trading post, the label said it was reblued.
It also said it was a 12 gauge, its a 20 gauge!
I think your right that it's original blueing! Sharp crisp lettering!
It's 81 years old, it's been there and done that!
The blueing looks a little darker in the photo than in person.
After my first session I had the receiver marinating in oil for a day!
It's nice and light, I'm use to a heavy old 12 gauge.
It's the smoothest shucking shotgun I've ever worked!
Back in the day they called it ,the ball bearing shotgun.
Now I know why! :D
Jay Bird

Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by Jay Bird »

Well Mr. Newport......Good ole Six tells me if you can take a quality picture he could tell ya if it's been reblued.......

Yes.....everything Remington ever put out was quality.

Six toad me he's busy opening up a crate of Kools mixed in with frozen chicken gizzards....

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Oldncrusty
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by Oldncrusty »

There is a dealer at my local show that's had a 20 ga 31 the last two shows. I've been drooling over it. Probly 95% condition. Hope to bring it home next time.
JOG
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

Oldncrusty wrote: Tue May 04, 2021 9:11 pm There is a dealer at my local show that's had a 20 ga 31 the last two shows. I've been drooling over it. Probly 95% condition. Hope to bring it home next time.
How much does he want for the 31?
kaschi
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by kaschi »

The Model 31 is a nice looking shotgun. Is that 20 gauge version built on a smaller frame than the 12 and 16 gauges?
JOG
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

kaschi wrote: Sat May 08, 2021 10:55 pm The Model 31 is a nice looking shotgun. Is that 20 gauge version built on a smaller frame than the 12 and 16 gauges?

The 16 and 20 gauge are built on a smaller frame than the 12 gauge.
Bill in Oregon
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by Bill in Oregon »

JOG, a 20 with 26-inch barrel in IC is the bomb as a qual gun, too. I admire the 31 and the 12 equally, having started out with a slick old 12 in 16 gauge. I have to say that I do not do best work with the original stock configurations, which have always seemed to me about identical. Need less drop at comb and heel for my scraggly frame.
What a wonderful find. Congratulations.
Last edited by Bill in Oregon on Thu May 13, 2021 5:03 pm, edited 2 times in total.
kaschi
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by kaschi »

Oh that's interesting about the frame size difference. On the Winchester Model 12, IIRC believe the 12 and 16 use the same frame and the 20 uses a smaller frame.
Bill in Oregon
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by Bill in Oregon »

No, there was a separate frame size for the 16, which is why lovers of that incredibly versatile gauge so loved the Model 12. Winchester used this slimmer frame for 20 and 28 gauge guns as well.
kaschi
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by kaschi »

Now I'm confused Bill! Are you saying that Winchester made the Model 12's frame for 12 gauge and another smaller frame for all three 16, 20 and 28 gauges? Or did the 16 gauge have a frame sized all for itself and another frame for 20 and 28 gauges?
Oldncrusty
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by Oldncrusty »

JOG wrote: Wed May 05, 2021 7:09 pm
Oldncrusty wrote: Tue May 04, 2021 9:11 pm There is a dealer at my local show that's had a 20 ga 31 the last two shows. I've been drooling over it. Probly 95% condition. Hope to bring it home next time.
How much does he want for the 31?
I think he had $700 on it. If I recall correctly, it had a pad added which kept me from taking out a loan.
Oldncrusty
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by Oldncrusty »

kaschi wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 4:19 pm Now I'm confused Bill! Are you saying that Winchester made the Model 12's frame for 12 gauge and another smaller frame for all three 16, 20 and 28 gauges? Or did the 16 gauge have a frame sized all for itself and another frame for 20 and 28 gauges?
The Winchester Model 1912 was introduced in 20 guage only until around 1914 when the 16 ga became available on the same frame. The larger 12 ga frame was introduced a year or so later. Dates are approximate from my foggy memory. Not sure on the 28 ga. Assuming it was also on the 20 frame.
JOG
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

I had a 1923 Winchester model 12 in 16 gauge that I foolishly let go a few years ago.
I really enjoyed the Winny, but I think I like the Remington 31 a little better!
Last edited by JOG on Fri May 14, 2021 6:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
JOG
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

It sure seems a whole lot lighter than my Remington 870 and Remington 1100 in 12 gauge!
I found the brochure and hang tag on E bay for it.
Remake I'm sure, but it's nice to have break down instruction without going to you tube!
You got to love the old school shotguns!
Steel and wood!
Last edited by JOG on Fri May 14, 2021 6:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
JOG
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

Oldncrusty wrote: Thu May 13, 2021 6:25 pm
JOG wrote: Wed May 05, 2021 7:09 pm
Oldncrusty wrote: Tue May 04, 2021 9:11 pm There is a dealer at my local show that's had a 20 ga 31 the last two shows. I've been drooling over it. Probly 95% condition. Hope to bring it home next time.
How much does he want for the 31?
I think he had $700 on it. If I recall correctly, it had a pad added which kept me from taking out a loan.
Hey Oldncrusty, I guess that's a bit pricey since a pad was added!
95% gun is fantastic for it's age! They were made from 1931 to 1949.
I picked up this old 31 up for $375.00.
kaschi
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by kaschi »

This thread got me interested in the Model 31 more than I had been in the past. There are some on GB including 20 gauge versions with "alloy receivers". Never heard of those before.
JOG
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by JOG »

kaschi wrote: Sun May 16, 2021 6:08 pm This thread got me interested in the Model 31 more than I had been in the past. There are some on GB including 20 gauge versions with "alloy receivers". Never heard of those before.
I'm doing the same on Gunbroker! I saw the one your talking about. I have heard that the aluminum frame 31 are prone to cracking.
I think that you would probably have to put thousands of rounds thru it for that to happen.
I'm glad I found one in 20 gauge. I've always owned 12 gauges.
The weight reduction is quite noticeable.
I'm always looking for 31's! I think there was about 160 thousand or so made.
The 870 has about 10 million.
My dream 31 has US marking from WW2. They were not used for trench clearing.
The Navy used a small number for island invasions.
I think they were mostly used in military and a police role.
Kaschi, I hope you find a nice one!
Johnny :D
kaschi
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Re: Remington model 31 Pump Action Shotgun

Post by kaschi »

Thanks, buddy, you too! I'm leaning toward the steel receiver.
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