I just scraped away a little funk from the underside of the barrel and found the date code. it is August 1933! I can't wait to get this out where I can test fire it.
Remingtons first pump, the model 10, was first sold in 08 and was first called the M-10 in 1911. Next was the M-17, a 20ga pump first sold in 1919; and the M-29, first sold in 1929. All these pumps had bottom eject. The 31 replaced everything and was the first side eject model first sold in 1931. In 1933 they offered them in 16 and 20ga. They were sold from 31 to 1949 when the 870 replaced them. 1941 was when they also offered them as lightweights with a aluminum receiver. The 870 Wingmaster came out in 1950 replacing the M-31. In 18 years 189,243 M-31s were made. I'm getting a little old so I only shoot clay birds. I have a M-10, 31, and 870, a dozen or so Remington SxSs, and only shoot 3/4oz loads, so even with my lightweight 31 recoil is not a problem. The Model 12 Remington is a 22 pump rifle. Mine will chamber 22 short, long, and long rifle. It's recommended not to shoot the new hyper 22 LRs in them. It too is a nice pumping gun. It was made from 09 to 1937 and one of their best selling guns with 831,737 of them made.
Remingtons first pump, the model 10, was first sold in 08 and was first called the M-10 in 1911. Next was the M-17, a 20ga pump first sold in 1919; and the M-29, first sold in 1929. All these pumps had bottom eject. The 31 replaced everything and was the first side eject model first sold in 1931. In 1933 they offered them in 16 and 20ga. They were sold from 31 to 1949 when the 870 replaced them. 1941 was when they also offered them as lightweights with a aluminum receiver. The 870 Wingmaster came out in 1950 replacing the M-31. In 18 years 189,243 M-31s were made. I'm getting a little old so I only shoot clay birds. I have a M-10, 31, and 870, a dozen or so Remington SxSs, and only shoot 3/4oz loads, so even with my lightweight 31 recoil is not a problem. The Model 12 Remington is a 22 pump rifle. Mine will chamber 22 short, long, and long rifle. It's recommended not to shoot the new hyper 22 LRs in them. It too is a nice pumping gun. It was made from 09 to 1937 and one of their best selling guns with 831,737 of them made.
The Remington "Sportsman 12" is an 870 variation designated so with engraved name that does not include "870" anywhere on it.
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
there is a beat up Model 10 on GB now, starting at $150 with no bids yet. I thought the Model 17 started production in 1921 due to war delay, but could be 1919. Mine is 4 digits S/N under 5,000.
I took out model 31 Christmas morning and it shoots and cycles fine, I can't wait to kill something with it. Needs a plug but I can handle that easily.
I have two, 12 gauge vent rib skeet gun with a factory cutts and a 16 gauge 28 inch modified with a extra 26 inch skeet barrel also cutts. Very smooth action, easy to take down and clean. I find that they are stocked a little low for me and I tend to lift my head on wild birds to see the bird clearly. On the skeet field that is not a problem since I have my head firmly planted. I shoot pheasants better with my Model 12 Winchester since it fits me better, however it is not even close to the smooth action of the 31. I also look for them at gun shops and shows. Nice guns with very precise machining on the inside of the receiver. Old school quality from the 30's and 40's. No plastic and no stamped parts.
The 31's don't bring the big prices that the Model 12 Winchesters do, but I actually prefer them. For a gun to shoot and not just collect, I even prefer the 870 over the Model 12. I have a couple nice Model 12's back in the safe, but I prefer the Remingtons for actual use.
The 31's don't bring the big prices that the Model 12 Winchesters do, but I actually prefer them. For a gun to shoot and not just collect, I even prefer the 870 over the Model 12. I have a couple nice Model 12's back in the safe, but I prefer the Remingtons for actual use.
+1
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
The 31's don't bring the big prices that the Model 12 Winchesters do, but I actually prefer them. For a gun to shoot and not just collect, I even prefer the 870 over the Model 12. I have a couple nice Model 12's back in the safe, but I prefer the Remingtons for actual use.
When this topic comes up, and I wish to stir the pot, I opine that if the Model 31 had had a 19 year head start, and the Model 12 was introduced in the depths of the Depression, there wouldn't be six people around who even knew what a Model 12 was.
The 31's don't bring the big prices that the Model 12 Winchesters do, but I actually prefer them. For a gun to shoot and not just collect, I even prefer the 870 over the Model 12. I have a couple nice Model 12's back in the safe, but I prefer the Remingtons for actual use.
When this topic comes up, and I wish to stir the pot, I opine that if the Model 31 had had a 19 year head start, and the Model 12 was introduced in the depths of the Depression, there wouldn't be six people around who even knew what a Model 12 was.
laughing, but probably right...
Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.
The 31's don't bring the big prices that the Model 12 Winchesters do, but I actually prefer them. For a gun to shoot and not just collect, I even prefer the 870 over the Model 12. I have a couple nice Model 12's back in the safe, but I prefer the Remingtons for actual use.
When this topic comes up, and I wish to stir the pot, I opine that if the Model 31 had had a 19 year head start, and the Model 12 was introduced in the depths of the Depression, there wouldn't be six people around who even knew what a Model 12 was.
laughing, but probably right...
Gotta agree! I just couldn't fall in love with a model 12 and it showed in results.
You have one of the best engineered pump guns ever made in the U.S. Remington was fighting an uphill battle against the ever popular model 97 Winchester in the early 1900's. They started out with the Model 10, a no exposed hammer gun, that was unique as it ejected spent rounds out the bottom of the receiver. It flapped out the fired round, and brought one up for the chamber. My dad had one in the early 50's and he took his share of ducks with it. Next was JM Browning Model 17 Remington. It was a 20 gauge only and with an IC bird barrel dad made it awful hard on quail. Later on Remington sold or the patent expired and Ithaca copied and sold it as the model 37. It too had bottom ejection. I still have dad's model 17 and the memories of hunts gone by. Remington made some modifications to the model 10, and called it the Model 29. I think the 10 and 29 were 12ga only and the 29 had the safety behind the trigger guard, instead of inside the front of the tg. It too ejected out the bottom of the receiver. Next comes the model 31. It was an easy take down gun like the 17 Remington. One of my uncles was a gun smith in the little town of Beebe, AR. and I remember him discussing how well made the steel version of the 31 was. With the 31 Remington broke with tradition and shells were ejected out the right side of the receiver. It was made in 12 and 20ga, there may have been a 16ga, but I don't remember ever seeing one. It was also made in standard grade solid steel, and also in an aluminum LT version. It may have have been the first American made shotgun to use an alloy receiver. Keep in mind that pump guns were steady losing ground to the autoloaders coming along. I know that Remington 10 along with the model 97 Winchester went to Europe as"trench guns", as did the model 1912 Winchester in "The Great War". Somewhere in the late 50's or early 60's the Remington Wingmaster came out with great fan fair. It may have been called the 870 but I just remember people calling it a Wingmaster. It had something new in the pump gun world, and that was two flat forend guides that kept the block sliding straight. It may have helped some in that regard, and Remington used it a lot in it's promotion campaigns. I had used a 16ga Field Grade L.C. Smith on birds during my teen years, but when I was discharged from the Marines in 1970 I just had to have a new Light 12 Browning, and sold my L.C. to one of my cousins, he used the hell out of it and now belongs to a second cousin. That 12 ga Browning cost me many comments from dad, who would make some kind of comment about ruining birds, and comments like, " did you get enough shot in that one", as feathers were still floating down. Those are some of the things I remember about pump guns, and days I wish I could bring back. I am great full to God for giving me the man I called dad, and those hunts we shared long ago. They were without a doubt the GREATEST GENERATION.
The 31's don't bring the big prices that the Model 12 Winchesters do, but I actually prefer them. For a gun to shoot and not just collect, I even prefer the 870 over the Model 12. I have a couple nice Model 12's back in the safe, but I prefer the Remingtons for actual use.
When this topic comes up, and I wish to stir the pot, I opine that if the Model 31 had had a 19 year head start, and the Model 12 was introduced in the depths of the Depression, there wouldn't be six people around who even knew what a Model 12 was.
laughing, but probably right...
Gotta agree! I just couldn't fall in love with a model 12 and it showed in results.
Yes. The model 12 just didn't work for me. But I was already an established 870 guy.
The Model 12 12gauges made their reputation on the trap field and in the duck blinds because they are on the heavy side. In addition to being able to take a beating and come out working. The smaller gauges on the skeet fields, when pumps were still being used regularly. The 20 and 16 Gauges still make great field guns, although most today can't work a pump, since they were weaned on autos.
As most gun guys know, the first model 12 Winchesters were known as Model 1912's. If in original condition you can tell the older 1912 by just looking at it. They had a more elongated grip area , and had the small corn cob forend. Also the barrel was made of nickel steel, this was later made of Win Prof steel. Don't ask me the difference in the steel, but I do know that the bluing stayed on the newer steel much better.
I've been looking for a 31 online and noticed some appear to have a raised rib on the receiver (some higher than others). Do all models have the rib on the receiver or just all of the models that originally had solid rib barrels?
I used to have a factory solid rib 31 and I don't recall there being anything extra on top of the receiver, but I'd have to dig up some old pics to be certain.