doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com steel in old M31s.

Any proscriptions against using older Remingtons with modern non-toxics? I know it's not ideal, but with a Mod choke I'd assume I'm OK?

My experience is not an answer to your question, but I have a 20ga model 31 with an old "choke-o-matic" Poly-Choke attachment.
I asked the company the question about steel shot and they answered that steel would not be a good idea...Geo

Lloyd,
Don't do it! Isn't that a 31L, with the aluminum receiver? I'll be there friday with a Mossberg 500 if you really need a steel gun.
Let me know.

Best,
Ted

Personal observation, not hearsay...

Friend of mine used a 12 ga. 31 with a Polychoke for years with steel shot.

I was concerned he might shoot off the whole end of the barrel.

But, after maybe 500 rounds of circa mid 80's steel loads, no damage at all.

I stripped the gun apart after he switched to a different gun for ducks, and it looks and operates just fine.

Your mileage may vary, etc.

I bought an almost identical twin to his gun for $195. I wouldn't hesitate to use steel in it.

The choke attachment on my 20ga Model 31 is one of the automatic deals that shoots the 1st shot IC and switches to Mod for the 2nd and 3rd shots. It is a lightweight gun with the aluminum receiver. The Poly-choke Company said their modern choke devices are steel shot safe but warned me about using mine with steel. I expect anything safe for an old double would be fine...Geo

I have a thin-wall Briley choke setup in my 12 gauge M31. One of the chokes is specifically for steel shot. Works fine. Ducks don't like it, however

Use these,

http://www.rstshells.com/

This is not a lightweight, just a plain old 1935 gun w/a mod choke. It worked just fine this AM. Pix to follow.

I have 2 M31s up here this year. As far as lightweights go, my father-in-law was always quite lethal with his 870 Express, but as he passed into his 70s, the weight became a mild issue. This 31L he's been using since my arrival has made him something of the grim reaper. He can't believe the weight difference between the two guns (the L' s a 16). In a year where there aren't many birds, he's already had a 5-bird day with it.

interesting... first i have heard of a pre war gun being suitable for steel. popular wisdom says most guns made prior to the 1980's have barrels made from steel that is too soft for steel shot. the concern is that steel shot will score the barrel walls and will also cause barrels to bulge behind tight chokes...any others out there besides the 31?

have also heard that the skb and browning guns made the 1970's will handle steel without scoring. your experience?

The early steel shells' wadding was inferior to what's out now. Scoring isn't an issue with today's shells. Large steel shot can cause issues at a tight choke with "bridging" shoulder to shoulder causing ringing, etc. I wouldn't worry about shooting small steel or htl out of open chokes in any guns that any of you have. My old guns? Nah.