Model 31TC
-
Gigg
Model 31TC
I just purchased a Model 31TC. The gun was made in Jan 1948, is a 12ga with a 30", full choke with a vent rib. The bluing is 99%+ the wood has great grain with a little finish chipping off. The action is very slick. Someone said this is a premium shotgun as a shooter and as a collector. What would be the current market value and should I use it for hunting or trap? The barrel says 2 3/4 or shorter rounds? Seems impressive but I have never heard of the 31TC before.
-
Jay Huber
-
Gigg
Jay
Thanks for the response. I understand about valuing a gun you cannot see. The gun looks almost new other than some surface finish chipping on the stock and some very slight blue wear on a couple of the moving action parts. Perhaps you could comment on some other questions. Is it safe to shooot with modern 2 3/4 shells? Should I shoot it? I would like to refinish the wood, does that devalue this model? It seems to be a really nice shotgun but I am a little concerned about the 1948 production date.
Gigg
Thanks for the response. I understand about valuing a gun you cannot see. The gun looks almost new other than some surface finish chipping on the stock and some very slight blue wear on a couple of the moving action parts. Perhaps you could comment on some other questions. Is it safe to shooot with modern 2 3/4 shells? Should I shoot it? I would like to refinish the wood, does that devalue this model? It seems to be a really nice shotgun but I am a little concerned about the 1948 production date.
Gigg
-
Jay Huber
-
Researcher
- Posts: 1164
- Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2003 11:06 pm
- Location: Washington and Alaska
The Model 31, the finest pump gun ever made, was introduced after the SAAMI specs for ammo came into existance, so should be good for any 2 3/4 inch lead loads, if the gun is in sound condition. A 1948 gun would be one of the best. There are three versions of the Model 31, the 1931, the 1934 and the 1941. The last has the larger trigger group that extends back into the stock giving a much better grip feel. Barrels will not interchange between the three versions. My Model 31TC is near the end with a May 1949 date code. The Model 31 was replaced by the Model 870 Wingmaster in 1950.
-
Researcher
- Posts: 1164
- Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2003 11:06 pm
- Location: Washington and Alaska
In the year or so I've been fiddling with Model 31s I've seen a total of one Model 31 Skeet in 12-gauge, and none in the smaller gauges. I've seen a fair number of the Model 31TCs, but as is the way with trap guns most have been messed with. Mine some previous owner had fitted with a choke tube marked ITC XF which gives it about .054" choke -- ie. tighter then an owl's butt!! I got this TC, my first Model 31, in a package deal with a BE-Grade Remington Model 1894 with wonderful chain Damascus barrels, to fill the B slot in my 1894 accumulation.
Now just need that EEO 10-gauge!!!
Now just need that EEO 10-gauge!!!
-
Gigg
Gentlemen
Thanks for the help on this gun. I picked it up just to try shooting some clays and an occasional game bird. I am not much of a shotgunner. the gun has zero modifications on it and the barrel is serial numbered to the receiver. If it is reasonably rare and shouldn't be refinished perhaps it should go to a trap shooter or a Remington collector. Candidly my only real shotgun interests are in SxS doubles of good field grade quality. I have two, an L.C. Smith featherweight (1917) 2 1/2" chambers in 20 ga with 30" tubes and a Hubertus drilling in 16X8x57JR(also 2 1/2" chambers). I was going to have the chambers extended to 2 3/4 but collectors forums advised not to do it. 2 1/2" is a pain. For that occasional clay and game bird I would really like a good quality field grade SxS that shoots modern 2 3/4" to 3" in 20 ga or 12 ga. If I put the 31TC up for trade, do you think there would be any interest or is it of lesser value than what I am seeking? In the worst case, I seem to have lucked out and have "the finest pump shotgun ever made".
Thanks for the help on this gun. I picked it up just to try shooting some clays and an occasional game bird. I am not much of a shotgunner. the gun has zero modifications on it and the barrel is serial numbered to the receiver. If it is reasonably rare and shouldn't be refinished perhaps it should go to a trap shooter or a Remington collector. Candidly my only real shotgun interests are in SxS doubles of good field grade quality. I have two, an L.C. Smith featherweight (1917) 2 1/2" chambers in 20 ga with 30" tubes and a Hubertus drilling in 16X8x57JR(also 2 1/2" chambers). I was going to have the chambers extended to 2 3/4 but collectors forums advised not to do it. 2 1/2" is a pain. For that occasional clay and game bird I would really like a good quality field grade SxS that shoots modern 2 3/4" to 3" in 20 ga or 12 ga. If I put the 31TC up for trade, do you think there would be any interest or is it of lesser value than what I am seeking? In the worst case, I seem to have lucked out and have "the finest pump shotgun ever made".