The history of Remington’s Model 31 shotgun

The Remington Model 31 occupies an important place in the development of American pump-action shotguns. Produced from 1931 to 1949, it was created during a period when repeating shotguns were becoming increasingly popular for hunting, clay shooting, farm use, and law enforcement. Its smooth operation and strong construction earned it a loyal following, even though it was eventually overshadowed by other Remington and Winchester designs.

For Australian enthusiasts, the Model 31 is interesting because it represents a classic manual-action shotgun from an earlier manufacturing era. Collectors in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and regional areas may encounter examples through licensed dealers, estate sales, or specialist firearm networks. Any purchase, transfer, import, or possession must comply with the relevant state or territory firearms legislation.

The shotgun’s history also offers useful context when comparing older designs with modern Remington products. Its action, barrel arrangements, chamberings, and production changes show how manufacturers responded to competition and changing shooter expectations.

Why Remington developed the Model 31

Before the Model 31 appeared, Remington had already experimented with pump-action shotguns. The Remington Model 17, designed by John Browning and produced in limited numbers, introduced several ideas that influenced later firearms. Its bottom-loading and bottom-ejecting arrangement was distinctive, but manufacturing complexity limited its commercial appeal.

The company wanted a pump shotgun that could compete more directly with the successful Winchester Model 12. Remington engineers refined the earlier concept into a side-ejecting design that was easier to manufacture and familiar to many shooters. The Model 31 used a tubular magazine beneath the barrel and a manually operated fore-end, giving users a quick follow-up shot without relying on semi-automatic operation.

The design team included Remington engineers such as L. Ray Crittendon, G. E. Pinckney, and Ellis Hailston. Their work produced an action noted for its smooth cycling and robust locking system. The shotgun was introduced in 1931, at a time when American sporting arms companies were competing intensely for the hunting and clay-target market.

Design features that made it distinctive

One of the Model 31’s best-known features was its action design. The bolt locked into the barrel extension, while multiple locking lugs helped provide a secure closure. Its internal arrangement was often praised for feeling exceptionally smooth in operation, and the action’s ball-bearing-style locking arrangement became part of the shotgun’s reputation.

The Model 31 was offered in several gauges, including 12, 16, and 20 gauge. Barrel lengths and stock configurations varied according to the intended role. Field models were suited to hunting, while specialised versions catered to skeet and trap shooters. Finish, engraving, wood quality, and other details also varied between standard and higher-grade examples.

The shotgun’s side-ejection layout made it more familiar to many users than the bottom-ejecting Model 17. It also allowed spent shells to leave the receiver away from the shooter’s face. Today, collectors often assess a Model 31 by examining its gauge, barrel markings, serial range, original finish, stock condition, and whether later modifications have affected its historical value.

Production, competition, and wartime service

Remington produced the Model 31 for nearly two decades, with total production commonly estimated at roughly 190,000 examples. That figure was respectable, but the shotgun faced strong competition from the Winchester Model 12, which had already established a powerful reputation among hunters, sportsmen, and professional users.

The Model 31 was available during the difficult economic years of the Great Depression and through the Second World War. Civilian firearm production changed significantly during wartime as American manufacturers concentrated on military contracts and other essential output. These broader conditions affected availability, production priorities, and the number of sporting arms reaching ordinary customers.

The shotgun was used in hunting and sporting roles rather than becoming Remington’s dominant military platform. Its reliability and handling nevertheless helped it maintain a strong reputation. As the years passed, Remington sought a design that could be produced more efficiently and appeal to a broader market, leading to the development of the Model 870 after the Model 31 era.

From the Model 31 to the Model 870

The Model 870, introduced in 1950, became one of the most widely recognised pump-action shotguns in the world. Its receiver and internal components were designed with production efficiency in mind, and it was easier to manufacture at a competitive price. Although the Model 870 replaced the Model 31 in Remington’s main product line, the earlier shotgun remained respected for its refined action.

The transition illustrates a common pattern in firearms history: a mechanically elegant design may be replaced by a model that is simpler to produce, easier to service, or more adaptable to different markets. The Model 31’s smoothness and craftsmanship appeal strongly to collectors, while the Model 870’s parts availability and broad range of configurations make it more practical for many modern users.

Remington’s wider product history includes bolt-action rifles, pump shotguns, semi-automatic firearms, and ammunition. Readers comparing later rifle platforms can explore this Remington 700 and 783 discussion to see how different manufacturing philosophies influenced price, features, and performance.

Collecting and owning one in Australia

An original Model 31 can be an appealing addition to a properly licensed Australian collection, particularly when the firearm retains its factory configuration. Collectors often look for matching components, clear markings, sound bore condition, an intact finish, and wood that has not been heavily cut or refinished. A specialist gunsmith should inspect any older shotgun before it is fired, as decades of wear, corrosion, or unsuitable repairs may not be obvious from photographs.

Australian ownership involves requirements that differ from those in the United States. Firearms are regulated by state and territory authorities, and a person generally needs the appropriate licence, a recognised genuine reason, registration where required, and compliant secure storage. The classification of a pump-action shotgun can depend on action type, magazine capacity, and local rules, so a Model 31 should be checked with the relevant firearms registry or police firearms branch before purchase.

Importation is a separate issue. A firearm located overseas may require import approval, dealer handling, customs compliance, and inspection before it can lawfully enter Australia. Ammunition also involves licensing and transport restrictions, and rules may differ between a home in Perth, a rural property near Toowoomba, and a dealer in Adelaide. Before arranging a transaction, buyers should confirm every step with a licensed Australian firearms dealer.

The Model 31’s history also sits within a much broader modern catalogue. Someone researching sporting arms may encounter current semi-auto handguns, rifles, shotguns, magazines, and ammunition, but each product category carries its own legal and practical requirements in Australia. Ammunition selection should likewise be based on the firearm’s markings and approved chambering; this ammunition basics guide explains a related distinction that is useful when reviewing cartridge terminology.

For Australian collectors, the Model 31 is valuable as a piece of engineering history as much as a sporting arm. Its long, smooth action connects early twentieth-century design with the later success of the Model 870, while its surviving examples preserve details of Remington’s manufacturing heritage.

Browse the Remington catalogue for current firearms and ammunition, review the applicable shipping and transfer information, and work through a licensed Australian dealer whenever local law requires it. Careful verification of licensing, storage, registration, importation, and ammunition rules helps preserve the historical appeal of the Model 31 while keeping every transaction responsible and lawful.