Tell me about the Remington Model 31

[.455_Hunter]

Greetings!

The LGS has a lightly used Model 31 in 20 gauge with a full choke for $300. The gun has been used a bit, with some dings, etc, but is mechanically perfect.

Seems like a good buy for a gun of such apparent quality.

What are your thoughts on the Model 31?

Thanks,

Hunter

 

[Kp321]

The Model 31 was probably the slickest shotgun made. It is all steel but not as rugged as its replacement, the 870. A good solid shotgun but parts are iffy.

 

[PabloJ]

Greetings!

The LGS has a lightly used Model 31 in 20 gauge with a full choke for $300. The gun has been used a bit, with some dings, etc, but is mechanically perfect.

Seems like a good buy for a gun of such apparent quality.

What are your thoughts on the Model 31?

Thanks,

Hunter

That is fair price for what you describe. The only impressive thing about the 31 is barrel retention nut and the fact that on ones with solid rib the rib was actually part of the barrel no soldered add on. The retension nut is absurdly complex with ball bearings inside besides that it was more expensive to make Mossberg 500 series (due to barrel thread lockup like Ithaca 37 and before mentioned retention nut). Contrary to what people claim there was nothing special about that gun.

 

[PabloJ]

PS. The only ones with real good handling were the ones made in late 40s with alloy receivers. Although only made for few years many were made because they were producing them full throttle to satisfy hunters that came home from WWII. Anyhow old Ithaca 37s Model 12 16ga and 12ga 'Featherweight' were better upland pumps.

 

[Coyote3855]

My dad put a lot of rounds through his 31 without a single problem. Maybe 50 year's worth of ducks, pheasant, and dove. I have it but don't shoot it much.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

Remington dropped the 31 in favor of the 870 in 1950. The patent laid dormant for 10 years and in 1960 Mossberg picked it up and thus the Remington Model 31 because the Mossberg 500.

Since that gun is not a collectable except to a very few people who simply might want one I would consider $300 way to much. I you want a gun to shoot get the 500 if that is the type of gun you want. Getting the 500 would like getting a factory new 31.

 

[chas08]

I've got one in 16ga with a 28 inch plain barrel choked modified. I like mine a lot! They are scaled to gauge and handle about as nicely as a pump can. 20 ga guns aren't as plentiful as 12 ga guns so they usually command a little higher price. $300 don't sound all that unreasonable if it's in good shape.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Thanks for everybody's imput!

I went back a took a look again at the Model 31. It has the steel receiver and nonferrous alloy trigger guard (aluminum?). Were they all alloy guards?

 

[PabloJ]

The trigger guard should be steel just like rest of the receiver. They went to alloy unit on the 870.

 

[.455_Hunter]

The trigger guard should be steel just like rest of the receiver. They went to alloy unit on the 870.

Interesting. The trigger guard was definitely not steel. I wonder if it was a sort of end of production transition, or if it was replaced by an 870 unit at a later date.

 

[PabloJ]

I wouldn't worry about trigger unit it was originally destined for alloy framed one and ended up on one with steel receiver. If the gun is in excellent mechanical order you can buy it w/o worries. The only thing likely needing replacing after long hard use is the extractor.