Remington model 11 (not asking history or value)

[NavyGuy]

I have searched and searched for the answers to two questions and have found none. The answers I did find were vauge at best, and no two answers seemed to match, so here I am at The High Road once again.

I have a 1937 Remington model 11 "The Sportsman". It is a 3 shot gun that is in awesome condition. After I gave Remington the serial number they told me it was issued to the Navy for training in WW2. From what I've read they used it to train pilots how to lead a target using skeet.

I want to use the gun for hunting and don't want to hack the original in any way. This will be something to pass down to my kids. The stock barrel doesn't shoot worth a damn, and the 3 shot capacity is undesirable.

Here's what I want to do with the gun:

I'd like a magazine extension. From what I've read an 870 magazine will fit if you use a 1/8" spacer? If there is anybody reading this that has a setup simular, I'd love to see some detailed pics. I know people are saying Choate made a magazine extension for the M11 but I can't find anything proving that. I have found where people ordered mag extensions from Choate for a different model gun and modified them to fit. A once and for all final write-up on this would be great. There are a lot of people doing the same search I am. One other thing about this, I'm having trouble seeing the whole process come together without altering the foregrip. If you put a longer tube in wouldn't you have to bore out the hole in the end of the foregrip for it to stick through? Like I said, some once and for all answers would be great, a write up/walkthrough with pics would be even better.

The barrel... I don't want to hack up the original barrel, so i need to buy another one to play with. Anybody recommend a good place to buy one? I'd like to end up with a 28", so if I planned to have it sleeved and have rem chokes put in, what length should I be looking to buy? Will they have to cut on the barrel at all to do that? What is the purpose of the rib in a barrel? Does it matter THAT much to pay 30% more than a plain barrel?

I know it's a lot of questions, but I'm pulling my hair out trying to find stuff. Any help would hopefully save my sainity. Thanks

 

[Tom D]

IMO, if the gun is what you say it is in that good of condition, I wouldn't touch it. Reconfiguring it, even if you intend to put it back to its original configuration some day, could devalue it. I'd find another gun to shoot with.

What's the serial number (or serial number range) of the shotgun? I ask because I am not aware of any Model 11s or Sportsmans going to the Navy in 1937. And, many of the Navy guns are marked "Property of U.S. Navy."

 

[NavyGuy]

That's what I thought, but Remington said otherwise. The serial is 411xxx, I can only remember the first three digits, the gun is at home.

I've thought about another gun, but they aren't as cheap as they once were. By the time I bought another, I could have most of the mods done on mine.

 

[Jeff Mull]

What is wrong with the original barrel?

Screw in chokes can be put in an existing barrel without altering it.

Adding a mag extension is useless for most hunting as regulations limit mag capacity for hunting.....that is why they made the Sportsman in the first place.

Jeff

 

[peacemaker45]

Rem 11s aren't exactly scarce. I picked mine up at a gunshow for $150. It's plainer than jane, but works.

~~~Mat

 

[35Rem]

The Sportsman is 3 shot only model. The barrel is the same for the 5 and 3 shot models. The magazine tube, spring, forearm, and forearm cap are not the same. To make the Sportsman a 5 shot you would have to replace the magazine tube, spring, forearm, and magazine cap. This would also allow you to put an extension on, if so desired.
Look at Corsonsbarrels.com (I think) for an extra barrel. You might also look at the gun auction sites for a barrel. It should be easy to thread one for choke tubes without cutting it down.
The rib isn't that big of a deal, other than is was harder to make them with a rib. The rib was milled as part of the barrel, not attached later.

Why does the barrel shoot bad?

Also, keep in mind that the barrel moves back and forth during functioning, so you can't attach anything to it, like a barrel clamp to steady the magazine extention.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I suppose the Navy could have gotten some just like the Air Corps but the Air Corps ones had Cutts Compensators on them.

The barrel may shoot bad because it is cylinder choke.

 

[NavyGuy]

I don't want to come across short, but I have no clue why the barrel dosen't shoot well...it just doesn't. A new barrel is in order for this to be a shooter. That's the game you play with shotguns. Serial #789456 could be the best gun you ever shot while serial #789457 could be the worst shotgun ever owned.

I've read a lot of posts on mag extensions from people who received the gun with it already on there, I'd just like some more knowledge on it firsthand. I'm not looking for a some crazy 15 shot extension, just like to have 5 shots or so.

 

[peacemaker45]

When people ask why the barrel doesn't shoot well, you could take that to mean "How is it not shooting well?"

What I mean is, does it pattern poorly, is the point of aim distinctly different from the point of impact, do clays just not break, or is there a functioning problem? What, in short, is your definition of "poorly?" also, what constriction is it at present? Don't just go by what's printed on the bbl, as it may have been reamed, or shortened.

~~~Mat

 

[Ash]

The Air Corps did not use the Cutts. As far as I know, the Navy did on some of theirs. It is easy to see how the Navy would get a 1937 Sportsman. Arms weren't exactly flying off the shelf during the depression and, while folks did buy shotguns, it is easy to see how a Model 11, which was an expensive shotgun, would not have made it out of distribution and was bought up by the Navy. There were many commercial 11's and Savage 720's bought up this way.

In any case, the barrel is original only if it has the US marks (and, if I am correct, a ship's anchor on the right side). If it is merely a commercial barrel and not US marked, then what ever you do to the barrel is fine (except, of course, that it is a 60-70 year old barrel and they don't make those anymore).

It is not uncommon to find 11's or 720's that had US Property receivers but nothing else due to post-war, post-surplussed rebuilds.

Ash

 

[NavyGuy]

I'm sorry, I should have understood the question a little better. The shot sprays everywhere, hard telling if it will shoot high, low, left or right. It has a 28" barrel marked improved cylinder. It also has a poly-choke. The serial on the barrel matches the gun. Playing with the poly-choke settings make no difference, it almost seems like the shot smashes into each other all the way down the barrel and flys any way it can when it leaves. I'd rather just get a new barrel and start from there. I saw a 28" modified for $90 in good condition, I'd want it sleeved and tapped for rem chokes. Open to all suggestions here.

What about the mag extension? Anybody done one on a M11? In Virginia we're not limited to 3 shots. They lifted that law a few years back. I really want to start tinkering with this gun. I'd like a couple more down the road for my two boys. Old dad has to be a pro first though

 

[35Rem]

What about the mag extension?

This question was answered in Post #6.

In Virginia we're not limited to 3 shots

For migratory birds you still are limited to 3 shots. It's a Federal Law.

With barrel marked Imp. Cyl, the Polychoke is most likely aftermarket, meaning it was added by someone other than the factory. If you don't like the Polychoke, cut the barrel off and have it threaded for choke tubes. You will also need to have a ramp and sight bead installed.

 

[NavyGuy]

35 Rem, I totally missed that. I read it and replied the next day, sorry again. I'm really not this retarded.

That seems like the easiest approach, I found the parts on e-gunparts.com. I understand the magazine tube and foregrip having to be replaced, but aren't the spring and mag cap the same?

They lifted the law on 3 shots for deer here. I should have stated that a little clearer too. I'm having a rough time getting my posts out of my head and to the keyboard lately.

 

[35Rem]

aren't the spring and mag cap the same?

Magazine Spring should be shorter on the Sportsman. The Mag caps are entirely different. The Sportsman is an internal bolt-like affair, where the 5 shot is very similar to an 870 or 1100. It screws onto the outside of the magazine tube, not the inside, like the Sportsman.

 

[andyjason]

navy guy, could you unscrew the poly choke and take a pic of the end. it may be missing the fingers that tighten for the differant chokes.

 

[single stack]

NavyGuy,

Unfortunately, you may planning modifications that
are irreversible and cost more than the gun is worth.

If the magazine tube is similar to the one on my
11-48, it's braised on. It won't be a simple task to replace it.

You might be better off looking for a used gun
that better suits your needs.

I wish you well in your customization.

SS

 

[Dave McCracken]

IMO, getting another, more suitable shotgun will be less costly and less hassle.

The 11-48 is a fine shotgun. It's not easily adapted, that's all.

 

[RiverratMike]

About 6 months back I got real interested in piratical shotgun and came across a Remington Model 11A for cheap. The 870 magazines do fit but if you tighten them down it rolls the end of the magazine tube in and the follower and shells won't pass through. Thats where the spacer you mentioned comes in. But you cut back on the threads engaged between the mag tube and extension so you need to clamp. This just goes on and on, like say the compression ring can get over lubricated etc. Mine, anyway, just didn't want to play new games. I finally returned this fine old trooper back to original and got a another, much newer auto loader. OBTW, I'm exNavy too. Mike