| Remington Model 31 | |
|---|---|
| Type | Shotgun |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Production history | |
| Designer |
C.C. Loomis John Pedersen |
| Designed | 1931 |
| Manufacturer | Remington Arms |
| Produced | 1931 - 1949 |
| No. built | 196,000 |
| Variants | Model 31 |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 12ga, 16ga, 20ga |
| Action | Pump |
| Effective firing range | 20 m. |
| Feed system | tubular magazine |
| Sights | Bead, vent rib optional |
The Remington Model 31 is a pump-action shotgun that competed with the Winchester Model 1912 for the American sporting arms market.[1] Produced from 1931 to 1949, it superseded the John Pedersen-designed Model 10 and Model 17 and was replaced by the less expensive Remington 870.[2]
History[]
While the Remington Model 17 enjoyed some success, a solid, 12-gauge featuring side-ejection was needed to compete with Winchester. C.C. Loomis sized up the Model 17 and adapted it for side ejection. The Model 31 was Remington's first side ejecting pump-action shotgun. Stocks were walnut with checkered walnut forend and later changed to a ribbed forend. The Model 31 was made in three gauges with 121,000 12-gauge models made and 75,000 16- and 20-gauge examples also produced. The Federal Bureau of Investigation acquired one Model 31 per office in 1935 in response to the Kansas City Massacre.[3]
Despite being well received, sales still lagged far behind the Winchester. Remington went back to the drawing board and designed the Model 870; this shotgun matched the durability of the Model 12 at a significantly lower cost. Despite the overwhelming success of the 870, many shotgun connoisseurs consider the Model 31 to be the ne plus ultra of pump shotguns with its "ball-bearing" slide action.[4]
The Model 31 was later used as a basis for the modernized and simplified Mossberg 500, 590, 835 and Maverick 88 shotguns. The biggest differences being the use of aluminum alloy receivers in most variants.
External links[]
- ↑ Remington's Magnificent Five - Page Two
- ↑ http://www.remington.com/library/history/firearm_models/shotguns/model_31.asp Remington history page
- ↑ Vanderpool, Bill "Bring Enough Gun" American Rifleman October 2013 pp.80-85&115-116
- ↑ Simpson, Lane. "Remington's Magnificent Five", Shooting Times, May 2000
The original article can be found at Remington Model 31 and the edit history here.