Does anyone own one of these? I've been eyeing one at my local shop. It's in about 75% condition with a 28" plain barrel that has a couple of spots of rust inside. I'm pretty sure i could get it for around 150 otd. Good deal or not. Thanks for any help.

31s preceded the 870s and, most folks say, were better made. The $150 OTD is a great price for a great shotgun.

As a police officer, many years ago, we could use the Department's Winchesters (yuck!), an 870 or one of the old 31s. I always grabbed the 31.

If it had a VR barrel, I'd be begging you for the address so I could snag it.

Bob

How deep does the rust go? This place lists new barrels for sale, but they cost as much as an entry level 870 REMINGTON MISC That's assuming the worst case and that those spots of rust actually go quite deep (you never know until you check).

A lot depends on what you want it for. A reblued Winchester Model 12 can still be had for circa 250ish (what I paid for one) if you just want an interesting old shotgun. Entry level hunting type 870s and the like are still cheaply had at mass merchants or used. 75 percent sounds rather rough to me.

You can do a lot with some rust in shotgun barrels. Often, it turns out to be just plastic from the wads. But, in the event it is rust, since in is a smooth bore, you can really put the elbow grease to it (actually, I use a drill) and clean it. Pits usually are not a big problem, if you smooth out the barrel. It may grab a bit more plastic from the wads, but not a big deal. Light stainless steel wool works wonders.

Winchester Model 12s are good, too. But that old 31 will hold up to lots of shooting.

Bob

I don't want it for anything in particular. I have a nice 870 wingmaster and a nice 1100, and an Mossberg HD shotgun. I just want it because it was different. The spots in the barrel were in the middle so it was hard for me to get a good look at them, and 75% is conservative. It just showed a lot of hunting wear on the high points.

BUY IT!!
The Model 31 is a Great Shotgun.
Jimmy

Don't you run the risk of a loss of integrity if the rust goes deep enough, even in spots?

The Model 31 Remington is a great shotgun. I had my grandfather's Model 31, which he bought new (probably in the early to mid 1930's), it was my favorite shotgun. I would often wait until everybody had run out of ammo during a dove shoot, and shoot the dove that everyone swore was far out of range with that gun. It was very well built, excellent craftsmanship, action was always smooth. I sure would like to find the cretin that stole it (and a bunch of other guns) about ten years ago. He might just disappear. I really miss that gun. I recommend that, if it is mechanically good, you buy it. As previously mentioned, a bit of rust in the barrel is easy to clean up with some stainless steel wool and a drill.

Don Zutz, who was one of the most knowledgeable shotgun writers ever, told me that he thought the M-31 was a better gun than the legendary Winchester M-12. That is considerable praise, from an informed source.

So, the gun is a good one. But I can't comment on the pitted (?) barrel. It would make me very cautious.

T-Star

Seems like in 75% condition with some rust spots in the bore, a plain field grade M31 would be priced right if tagged at around $150 to $175.

The M31 is a great shotgun with a very smooth action, but it can suffer from feeding problems when the action gets worn. The carrier will not lift the shell high enough to feed into the chamber reliably then. New parts are sometimes hard to find. The quick fix is to squeeze the carrier arms together a bit to raise the shell up a little but that doesn't always work for very long.
They made a lightweight model IIRC (alloy recv?) and the regular model with either an alloy or steel trigger guard I believe. Been a while since I fiddled with them.

That's a pretty good price for a functional 31.

I would make sure the SN on the barrel matches the receiver. Headspace is set for each barrel/receiver combo and it may or may not be right if the barrel was replaced.

IIRC, the Remington 31 is basically an Ithaca 37; Browning initially sold the design to Remington and when the patent expired Ithaca began to produce the gun. They are nice, lightweight guns. I've got a 16 ga. I picked up several years ago, decent metal, maybe 85%-90% of honest wear, but the stock was really scratched up; because of the condition of the stock there was no collector value. I refinished the stock and had the barrel cut back to 26" and choke tubes installed. Great handling shotgun!

Since the 31 predates the 37, it would be more correct to say that the Model 31 is a scaled up Remington Model 17 modified for side ejection, and an Ithaca 37 is a scaled up Remington Model 17.

I have two. I inherited dads. It has been fired uncountable times, killed uncountable birds, rabbits and deer with slugs. Once spent a week on the bottom of lake poygan wisconsin when dad dropped through the ice in a VW with mom and old pete.
The 2nd one was a light weight model I also inherited from uncle fat. That one got stolen from me in a burglary along with many other guns. It turned up like this. Barrel sawed back, stock sawed back and a doc holliday sling. Detective wasnt going to give it to me because of the sawed barrel. I picked her up, unscrewed the barrel and said thanks!

At that price you can't go wrong. I inherited my fathers 16ga Model 31 and love it. It is lightweight, slick and very well made. I would recommend it, and @ 150.00 recommend it highly!

My first shotgun was a 31. Pump is so smooth it will almost fall open.
It is a great shotgun. I've long looked for a barrel in something other than 28" modified, but haven't found one yet.

I'd buy it.

I realize this post is like super old... but have a question. My dad left me 2 of these guns. He was a shooting match guy back in the day and one of the barrels has been 'altered' and choked way down... for tighter groups I suppose. I have a regular 31, and a 31L - i am wanting to use one for a slug gun. the 31l is full choke.. i considered sawing off the barrel on the other just before where he choked it so tight (would make the barrel about 22") however... someone said they wouldn't put slugs down such an old gun. (it's been very well cared for) what are your thoughts? the super choked barrel is no use to me.. I used it once for turkey and hated it. thoughts? i dont want to saw it off, shoot a slug and have the barrel explode in my face.

i can not afford to buy even a super cheap shotgun, and can not use my 30-06 where I intend to hunt.

Rem 31 is great shot gun. Last good Remington pump. Rather
have the gun you are talking about than a new 870. I had one
I used for deer slugs. 31 is the only true "no drill" scope gun
I've ever come across. The top of reciever has under cut aiming
surface length of reciever. 3/8 scope rings for 22 will grab right
on to this area. Make sure to use good steel ones, the Alumilum
ones won't hold. In my area 31s are scarce but there are lots
of 10s & 17s.

Buy it! If functional, it is a bargain. I began to collect Model 31Ls and had 12-16-20 guns sold like an idiot. Remington made 2 versions: model 31 (steel receivers) and model 31L (aluminum receivers). They cannot be beat. I still have the sought after trap...a model 31 TC with vent rib. Good luck...I look for them all the time. Regards, Ed

I have one and depending on the condition and model and other factors the value ranges anywhere from $150-$2100. I love my 20 gauge model 31 and I use it for everything. I got it for Christmas about 3 or 4 years ago and since I can't count how many target loads I've fires through it shooting skeet in my backyard. I rely on it for everything and it hasn't disappointed me yet. I'm hunting with it right now and it's just an all around awesome gun. It has also fired all rounds I've put through it with no problem (target loads, slugs, game loads etc.) Get this gun!!!!!!!!