Remington Model 8 woes, or "Collector's Firearms are crap"

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grimjaw

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I recently ordered a Remington Model 8 from Collector's Firearms, just got it in today. The ad mentioned nothing about damage to the gun; I think it actually said 'excellent condition.' It didn't mention anything about 'cracks in receiver, rifle unsafe to fire.'

1355.jpg


It was very well packaged for shipment, so I know it wasn't that.

I don't feel safe shooting this gun, and I certainly didn't buy it to mount it on the wall. Replacement parts for this can't be plentiful nor cheap.

I am not familiar with this action or rifle enough to know just how dangerous the situation is. I believe the bolt/receiver assembly could be replaced with another, but close to the price of a new rifle? Talk about a downer.

If anyone has suggestions, please send them my way. Word to the wise: better have CF double check the weapon before they send it to you. I'm not a gunsmith, yet I found this crack within a five minute inspection.

jmm
 
By any chance have you checked Gun Parts Corp for replacement parts? Probably not what you want to hear, I'm sure. I dont have any specifics on the 8/81 but I know I want one...

Looks like its the bolt though.
 

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slopemenu,

Yes, I've been checking the parts stores, no luck yet. The prices are promising, though, ~$100 or less for the assembly.

jmm
 
If it's any consolation, the crack is not in the receiver, it is in the bolt carrier. GPC lists them at $59, but I doubt they have any. IMHO, the rifle can be fired safely (if there is no other problem) but the piece might break off completely. It could be welded (and may have been welded before), but it will need a very careful workman not to harm the rest of the part or destroy the heat treatment, and then machine everything down properly.

Permit me a word on collector guns. Some collectors will not buy any gun they can't fire (even though they might never do so); others are content with a good appearance and "dry" functioning. IMHO, the Model 8/81 is a collectible firearm, but it is obsolete as a hunting rifle. I would not chose one for woods use today as any damage would significantly decrease its value. There are scads of semi-auto hunting rifles of military origin, and both Remington and Browning make excellent rifles of pure sporting type.

Jim
 
Jim Keenan and others,

Much thanks for the information. Jim, I don't think the stock or blueing are original. The receiver was tapped for a scope mount, the value is already affected. Even so, I didn't intend to take it out except to the range, and then only occasionally.

I think I'll keep it. I'm on the lookout for a bolt carrier or the full assembly. Everything else looks good, still need to take it to a 'smith to have it checked.

jmm
 
I almost went down to Collector's on my lunch hour to look at that gun. I had a buddy with a model 8 and I thought it was fun to shoot, not that accurate, but just fun. It just disappeared off the web site one day so I abandoned the trip.

Glad I did not!

Sorry for your problems, if you change your mine, Collector's has worked with me a lot on things over the years. I think you should at least call them and discuss the problem.
 
I have dealt with Collector Firearms.
They are more than fair with their sales policy.
If the rifle doesn't meet your specifications, send it back, they will refund your purchase price.

From your excellent pictures, I would say that crack appears to be a failed repair weld.
Note the polished areas to the left and right of the crack line and the use pitting that surrounds the rest of the carrier area.

I have both editions of John Henwoods books on the Remington Model 8 and 81 and can find no information related to the bolt carriers failing or cracking.
The failure may be associated with an over-pressure handload and the original seller managed to get it past C.F.s inspection unnoticed.

That crack could conceivably fail completely at some point and the resulting damage could cause personal injury.
I would not recommend firing the rifle until it is properly repaired.
 
Rem. Mod. 8

I'd contact the company and DEMAND a replacement as this gun appears to be a wall hanger and not a shooter. When a firearm company advertizes a gun as execllent the description in a combination of age and condition. None of the firearm valuation books or magazines I have read mention reciever cracks being in therealmof excellent. They should have been more accurate about the condition. Good luck.
 
If anybody noticed, this thread was from two years ago and I believe the guy sent the rifle back and received a refund, and I do believe they still have that rifle for sale,,,,,,,,
 
Where? I did not see it on the site but I have not been to the store in over a month. I assume you went to the storefront and saw it on the rack?
 
I bought a model 81 in .300 savage about 20 years from a guy in Orlando. The gun looked like it had rolled off the showroom floor. I gave him $275 and bought 2 boxes of ammo. It jamed every single time and kicked like a mule. I noticed on the bolt the number 35 which at the time didn't mean anything to me. I should have read .300. Anyway I got rid of it and told the buyer it jamed. He sent it to a gunsmith up north that knew these rifles. He could not fix the gun as he stated it had an oversized chamber. I now only get weapons from my local gun shop as if it doesn't work they will fix it or give me my money back. I don't buy used guns at gun shows because I've seen too many that were "defective" and are like used cars - sold as is, unless you know the guy personally and he guarantees it.
 
351winchester The 35 was for 35 remington I think you were shooting the wrong bullet out of the gun causing your jam.

To the op I own 7 of these guns now between 8 and 81 parts can be had from both locations mentioned above. It depends upon when they find a shot out rifle to part out. Of my 7 only 4 are shooters so I keep 3 for parts rifles. the extractor on the 35 remington and 300 savage guns are diffrent and wont work for 30 20 and 25 remington rounds but you can sawp them from your bolt to the new one when you get it. I sugest looking on gunbroker and buying a pitted "parts gun" for cheap if you want to keep them. BTW of the 4 parts guns I could probably make 2 shooters and have just 2 parts guns Just lazy in that respect I guess.
Aside from that the biggest problem I have had out of all of them is that 2 have tight chambers and will not extract the bullets from the chamber from time to time and I beat the op handle with a rubber mallet to get it out. I have been thinking of taking it to a smith to have the chamber enlarged shightly.
 
EricF, you wouldn't happen to have a model 8 buttplate you'd be willing to sell would you?
 
model 81 .300 savage

I have a model 81 .300 savage that I got from my father who in turn got from his grandfather, I have to say, it has never jammed. This gun looks like it is brand new. I deer hunt with this gun and it has never let me down.
 
Brian Smith said:
I'd contact the company and DEMAND a replacement
Click to expand...

(snicker :) ) Right, you should DEMAND a replacement of a rifle that was last made in 1936, and of which a total of some 60,000 were made between 1906-1936.

If they don't have another one in stock make sure they place an order for you. LOL!
 
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