I have a 1948 Production Model 31 in 16 gauge, modified choke. My favorite upland game gun. Smoother than my Ithaca 37 or Winchester Model 12 also all 16 gauges. I shoot the gun well on clay targets, fits very nice, also the slighty heavier barrel vs. the Model 12 makes it easy to keep your swing on crossing targets. I have stripped my down every year prior to hunting to clean every thing inside. The slide is a little tricky to get back in, very precise alignment to install. Other than that it is easy to strip and clean. I had to do it once in the field when I got a bunch of weed tassles stock in the action. Try field stripping a Model 12. Great gun and it had some incredible machining on the inside of the receiver. Watch your fingers those machined slots are very sharp. I have also noticed that the price has gone up on 16 ga 31's. Fine gun, I have had mine since 2002 and have killed over 160 pheasants from Pelee Island to Preserve hunts without a single malfunction.
