At long last, Brendan and I test fired the Remington Model 31, 16 gauge, pump action shotgun that I bought back in August 2017 (anyway I am 99.9% certain this was the first time I fired it). Yes, as I have said time & time again - I am The Great Procrastinator. The nice things about test firing it today were that both Brendan and I got to fire it together, it fired flawlessly and the shots were all right on target at 25 yards thanks to its full choke barrel. In all we put about 35 rounds of Federal Game Load 16 gauge, 2 3/4", high brass shells through her.
The only area of concern to me, and that was and remains a slight concern, is that we could only get two shells to fit into the mag tube. My guess is that is not an indication of a problem but rather that this particular gun was used for waterfowl hunting and someone placed a plug into the mag tube to comply with hunting regulations. I'll check that once I get around to a complete disassembly after I get home from visiting Brendan here in Arkansas.
I must say, it was a pleasure to shoot. I currently own three Remington pump action shotguns (I also own a Remington Model 14 pump action rifle). The other two pump shotguns are an 870 and a model 29 - both of which are in 12 gauge. While I have not yet fired the model 29, I have shot the 870 thousands & thousands of times. What a difference in the recoil between the 16 gauge model 31 and the 12 gauge 870; all I can say about it is that it is nice for my aging shoulders.
We also had fun shooting my Henry Lever in 22 MAG, my Ruger Redhawk in 44 MAG, my Ruger New Single Six Convertible (we used the 22 MAG cylinder today), my Glock 26, Brendan's Beretta 93A1, Brendan's Glock 43 and Brendan's Bulgarian AK-47. As far as I am concerned there is no better time to be had than a father & son (or daughter) enjoying each others' company and shooting is a fine way to do that!
By the way, I suppose I should mention, my Remington 31 was manufactured in December 1947 thus making it 71 years old this month. Who knows, maybe today - December 15th - was the day it came off of the assembly line back in 47!
All the best,
Glenn B
The only area of concern to me, and that was and remains a slight concern, is that we could only get two shells to fit into the mag tube. My guess is that is not an indication of a problem but rather that this particular gun was used for waterfowl hunting and someone placed a plug into the mag tube to comply with hunting regulations. I'll check that once I get around to a complete disassembly after I get home from visiting Brendan here in Arkansas.
I must say, it was a pleasure to shoot. I currently own three Remington pump action shotguns (I also own a Remington Model 14 pump action rifle). The other two pump shotguns are an 870 and a model 29 - both of which are in 12 gauge. While I have not yet fired the model 29, I have shot the 870 thousands & thousands of times. What a difference in the recoil between the 16 gauge model 31 and the 12 gauge 870; all I can say about it is that it is nice for my aging shoulders.
We also had fun shooting my Henry Lever in 22 MAG, my Ruger Redhawk in 44 MAG, my Ruger New Single Six Convertible (we used the 22 MAG cylinder today), my Glock 26, Brendan's Beretta 93A1, Brendan's Glock 43 and Brendan's Bulgarian AK-47. As far as I am concerned there is no better time to be had than a father & son (or daughter) enjoying each others' company and shooting is a fine way to do that!
By the way, I suppose I should mention, my Remington 31 was manufactured in December 1947 thus making it 71 years old this month. Who knows, maybe today - December 15th - was the day it came off of the assembly line back in 47!
All the best,
Glenn B
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