Seeking opinions......

R

rantingredneck

New member
I've got an old Remington Model 31 shotgun that was my grandfathers that he left to me. It is by far my most treasured firearm simply because it belonged to the man who introduced me to the outdoors and shooting in general. It has taken countless doves, rabbits, and squirrels over the years and I make a point of carrying it to the dove fields at least once each september and running at least a box of shells through it.

It is the standard 26" fixed IC barrel version. It has definitely seen it's better days as far as it's finish but it functions flawlessly and always has. It will remain in my possession until I leave it to one of my children. It will never be sold or traded. Therefore I care nothing for improving or maintaining collector or resale value on the firearm (not that they are particularly valuable to begin with).

Those are the facts, now to the question.......

Seeing as how I'd like this gun to last many a more year and it's exterior finish leaves much to be desired, should I have it professionally refinished to improve it's lifespan? I was thinking of having it reblued and getting new wood put on it. Let the opinions fly.......
 
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Model 31

If it just the blueing wore off and not a lot of rust, I might leave it as is.
I have several such guns my grandfather left me. As my grandfather raised me, each nick in the wood or wear on the bluing reminders me of a particular time spent in the field with him. As they say on the tv commericial ,Priceless.

If really rusty and stock split or cracked, I would repair.
 
It's not really rusty, yet. But the blueing is GONE. The forearm has a large chunk out of the rear left hand side from a tumble my granddad took on a rabbit hunt when I was a teenager.

The reason I am thinking refinishing is that I'd like for this gun to remain functional for many years to come, so that my children and hopefully their children will be able to hunt with it instead of just look at it.

As it is I run about a box of shells through it a year in the dove fields. Still functions without a hitch.
 
Your family has great taste in shotguns. The 31 is one of the classics.

The wear marks are momentos left there by folks you care about. In your shoes, I'd conserve rather than restore.

Cherish your gift....
 
Well, Remington 31's aren't worth a bunch. Prices range from $400 (excellent) to $125 (poor). Since it's a family heirloom, I'd go with the advice above and clean it up and preserve it for the family. In the event that you do decide to re-blue it, take it to a smithy.
 
I know how you feel I have some shotguns that my grandfather gave me and theyve seen their better days but still work perfectly like new. if they're not rusty I wouldnt worry about it, no large or obvious cracks, then I wouldnt replace it. Like stated above each knock or little ding has its own story to tell. I also like the color of the patina under the blueing better then a new coat of blueing. My opinion, just keep it oiled and cleaned and she'll last another 100 years.
 
I say go ahead and have it restored professionally. It is one of the great american guns and deserves to be maintained. As you are not at all interested in it as a collector piece (A pox on collectors) having it reblued and possibly replacing a few springs and wood will not hurt it.

The Remington 31 was a contemporary of the Winchester Model 12 and it's equal in every way. The 31 does not have the cult value of the 12, therefore it is worth keeping and maintaining.

Fix it up, get it working properly and enjoy shooting it.
 
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