New Spartan 20 gauge from Remington

[cabinetman]

Hi all.

After much thought and searching, I decided to take the plunge and purchase on of the Spartan/Remington O/U shotguns in 20 gauge. I had considered 16 gauge but the selection of shells is not as good as with 20 and I don't reload. I only shoot uplands birds here in New England. I've got a nice 12 gauge 1187 for Turkey and Duck.

To put all the speculation to rest, the receiver is clearly marked BAIKAL, Spartan/Remington. So, they are from Russia.

They are hard to come by according to my FFL who told me that he was lucky to get this one as they sell out as quickly as they arrive. No doubt it's because the fit and finish is really very nice. The stock is solid Walnut with very nice checkering, with a pistol grip, too. My model (SPR 320) has a Nickel received, not just blued. The fit of the barrel to the reciever is precision all the way. No, it's not a Browning or other $$$$ shotgun but for my purposes, it is very very nice for the price, about $480 all up. It came with two chokes which, I understand, are not interchangable with "regular" Remington chokes but I don't care. It's cut for 3" shells, and the bores are chromed.

The SPR 320 has a single selectable trigger with a generous finger guard and when you break the shotgun to reload, the safety automatically comes on. You simply flip it. The box lock is very nicely done and the shotgun locks perfectly. I could easily shoot 1000 shells a year for many years with this it would appear although my normal hunting sessions and practice won't see even 500 a year.

So, I'm a happy boy. I've got some pictures and I'll post them up later on this evening or tomorow when I have a chance.

I can highly recommend this brand of Shotgun and if the demand is any indication of quality, you might want to put your order in early.

I'd be happy to answer any question anyone might have and the pictures will bear out my review. I hope to get it to the range this weekend to try him out. It's a "him" btw.

And, yes, it is a stiff action which will most certainly guarantee a good fit until I run the first 100 shells through it. A good trap meet will take care of that!

Rome

Here are some photos:

 

[Selfdfenz]

Congrats!

I have one of the IZH 12 ga OU and from the sound of it perhaps Remington has gotten the folks at Baikal to put more effort into fit and finish. The F&F on mine is just fine by me BTW. Heck it's my duck gun so pretty is not required

Is the gun stiff to break open? My 12 is still stiff as can be. I think both units are built on the same frame. Could be wrong but they used to be.

If Remingtom got just that one thing fixed it would be well worth a higher price to have a slick opening/closing.

Anyhow best of luck.

S-

 

[RoyG]

They are hard to come by according to my FFL who told me that he was lucky to get this one as they sell out as quickly as they arrive.

I've been in four different shops in the past 3 days and every one of them has wanted to show me one of these. One shop both the 12 and the 20. The others had only the 20.

Price has run from $480 - 560.

 

[Selfdfenz]

Didn't see those pictures on the first pass but mine is finished about that well.
Mine is the blued version and unfortunately the Russians thought some scoll work on the receiver would look better than nothing.

Let's just say it must have been "bring you kid to work" or "vodka day" at the plant that day. But...its a duck gun so who cares.

Price has run from $480 - 560

.
Holy Smoke! It'd have to be vodka day here too for that.

For that $ it better open and close like a Red Label.

S-

 

[fspic]

Spartan 20 SxS

I got a Spartan 20 SxS with double triggers as I am a traditionalist and figured any adjustments to same would be easier for a back alley mechanic. This was $296 on a promo price. The one I got new out of the box when I came a few weeks later to get it had reddish chocolate Circassian walnut which on a local production gun would have a modest premium (or not so modest) price. Unfortunately the checkered pattern impressed on the grip doesn't fit the curve of the grip and should have been left off. I will strip and inlay with Islamic form mother of pearl as per regional practice on Caucasian or Turkish guns.

This gun was quite tight but seems loosening a bit with my learning curve over muscle mechanics for opening it improving. It also requires a bit of smashing agin' the chest but that is irrelevant. Gun seems to be tight and sound. I'm sure Remington made sure certain standards were met. If you read "Double Shotguns" by S.D. Hughes, Krause Pubs of Iola, Wisc., there are examples of good old solid plain Jane american guns being rebuilt into custom beauties. One of these Russian roaches lends itself to the same treatment as the mechanism is sound and all the custom work is readily done. Best part is that you can do it sequentially and minimize costs.

I will make a stock for mine if I don't modify the original but the original is too good and couldn't be replaced at reasonable cost. I will stone the polishing waves from the tops of the barrels, make a new trigger guard, trim the trigger action and maybe make a new rear trigger - or both of them.. I can alwqays have simple engraving done when I figure out what to do with the final finishing. I will get another rat in 28 and one in 12 and then get a DeHaan in maybe the 16 with a Prince of Wales grip and do the number on that as well.

 

[greg531mi]

They are great guns, too bad Remington jacked up the prices....I guess for paying extra, they do have a better finish now?

 

[mattw]

nice looking shotgun, I was a bit sceptical about the Spartan line but now I think I wouldn't mind getting one of the doubles in 12 guage. I would rather get an american made double for around the same price but thats about impossible.. right?

 

[STiTkacik]

From all the reviews I've read, these seem to be a very nice option in that price range.

 

[kentucky_smith]

Why not just get a Stoeger for much less? Dick's had O/Us in the 300 range with chokes.