So I bought a Remington Model 11 off of gunbroker knowing that it had been mistreated. Figured for the price I could get it cleaned up and have a decent semi with some history and not be to worried if it gets scratched. Serial # dates it to middle of 1910. I should have took some before pictures because no one believes that it's that old now.

So when it got here, the rust was every bit as bad as I thought in the pictures, I used some "shotgun cleaner", steel wool, and Rem-oil to knock off the worst of it. Anybody got a suggestion on something a little more aggressive that won't take all the bluing off?

Action felt like they had been lubing with syrup, got that all cleaned and running slick.

There is what I believe was a felt pad in the back of the receiver behind the bolt. It's still intact, but cracking full of rust, anyone know how to replace that?

I'm going to turn a new wooden spring alignment pin for the back, should be easy money there.

Need to get on brownell's and look for a locking screw for the rear bolt in the butt stock.

Friction Rings system was not right, and if they put paperwork for that in the forearm way back then, it's long gone.

I'm still working on the mag follower, I can only get it to go up so I can load a shell if the bold release button is depressed. Not sure what's going on there if anyone has any ideas.

Not sure if the butt pad is original, but it and the sling (redhead, chicago IL, not sure if that was a brand before it became BassPros house brand or not) look to be pretty old too.

Curse of being left handed is upside down pictures.

Very nice shotgun! My main bird gun is a 20 gauge model 11 that's been in my family for a few generations. I can't help you with a few of your issues but I can tell you I have always pushed the bolt release button in order to stuff shells in it. If not the follower won't open.

That was my biggest concern. I didn't notice it was like that before I tore it apart for cleaning. Then after I got it back together I thought "My Browning "Magnum Twelve" isn't like that", so I wasn't sure. There is a lot of years in between the 2 though. I just went down in the field to function test, Fed all 3 just fine. Think I'm going to like it.

I love mine, finally starting to think of retiring it though so that she's got a little life left for my boys one day. The only time ours has ever failed is when I've tried to release the bolt lightly. Let it slam home and it'll keep going until it's empty. Every time.

I love the quick mechanical adventure of that hesitation syncopation operating cycle. Amazing that it works and amazinger that it seems to work forever.

I have my Father's Light Twelve. I've never yet fired it. It was always his special gun, and now it's mine. I need to go bird hunting.

I need to refinish my Mom's 16ga, mostly I need to extend the stock since it was cut down for her when she was ~10 and my nose is awful close to the receiver but I have never shot it.

I have recenty used the battery charger method to remove rust off some old tools and parts, I will do the same with my Mom's shotgun since it does not remove metal.

Great old gun and I love my 11. Now I need to find a Savage 720. Best of luck!

Love Mdl 11s, mine is a 16 ga someone decades ago put a polychoke on. I just might take it turkey hunting come spring.

I am a lefty too. Only the best are!

I think you have a real keeper there. I could have bought a used Rem 11 12 guage for. $65 in 1970, but I could not come up with the $.

BE patient & keep workin at it.

Ed

The felt pad in the back of the receiver is a recoil buffer and it was riveted in by the Remington factory. Browning A-5 shotguns do not have that pad. I have a very nice Model 11 but I keep wondering about the condition of that recoil buffer. I don't know how to duplicate the riveting if I try to fix it.

Yes, you do. That Light Twelve will become your best hunting buddy. Broke my 1965 Auto 5 out of its box last year & christened it with Squirrel blood. I am so proud to have placed it into service. It was a long time coming.