Shotgun experts: Question about old Remington

[MikeZ28]

I inherited an old Remington "Sportsman 48" semi-auto shotgun, in apparently decent shape. Based on what I can find on the web, this gun is the same as the more widely used Rermington 11-48, except it holds fewer shells. These guns were made from 1948 through the late 1960s, and a similar "Mohawk 48" model was sold in the 1970s. It's a recoil-based automatic based on the Browning A5 design.

If anyone is familar with this type gun, I'm wanting to know how to load & fire it properly. As best I can tell, shells are loaded into a slot on the bottom of the reciever.

After loading, it looks like you **** the thing and chamber the first shell by pulling the bolt back into locked position, and pressing a release button that closes the bolt (quite violently). This seems to make the gun ready to fire as the trigger is now "active" and will trip when you pull it. After the first shot, the gun should automatically chamber the next shell.

The main thing I'm not sure of is when you pull back the bolt, it locks into position until you press the release button. Well, it's got a heavy spring on it and it closes with a lot of force. Makes me nervous it's going to set the shell off just by impact. Anyone use one of these before? I should probably spring for an owner's manual. I probably won't use the gun much (hard to get parts if something breaks) but I'd like to keep it functional for home defense.

[mechanic58]

Hmmm, interesting. I'm not sure though. Just be careful NOT to look down the barrel while you're f*ckin with it. LMFAO!!!

[abepro]

I have a newer Remington semi-auto. I think it is like an 1800 or something. Mine does the exact same thing. Nothing to worry about. I have used this gun for years. I load the first shell a little different, once ****ed I load the first one from the side then chamber it and load the rest from the bottom. Not that it matters you can load them all from the bottom like you do. After pulling the bolt back dropping a shell in and realeasing it, it does close very fast.. I'm no gun expert, I just like shooting innocent little birds..

[Philip_G]

the bolt should only stay open if there isn't a shell in the maazine tube. It won't go off from the force of hte bolt closing, that spring absorbs the recoil of the shot shell, hence the stiffness.

stuff shot shells in the tube, pull bolt, fire.

[mechanic58]

Wonder how many times C0CKED is going to get edited out in this thread? LMFAO!!

[72/04 GTO]

Place the safety "ON".Slide the action back until it locks. Place a shell in the chamber and release the action via the button. Continue loading shells up the ramp below the action until completly loaded. The gun is now ready to fire. Each round will cycle until the chamber is empty. Be careful on older shotguns. Use light loads such as light trap loads to start off with. If you have any real concerns hang the "old" gun on the wall and buy a modern weapon. They are cheap today.

[SgtGTO]

The main thing I'm not sure of is when you pull back the bolt, it locks into position until you press the release button. Well, it's got a heavy spring on it and it closes with a lot of force. Makes me nervous it's going to set the shell off just by impact. Anyone use one of these before? I should probably spring for an owner's manual. I probably won't use the gun much (hard to get parts if something breaks) but I'd like to keep it functional for home defense.


Nope, you should be fine.
Even though you have now loaded the gun, and have one "chambered" as they put it, that round cannot fire unless the spring is released and the firing pin is struck, and the ONLY way (unless you drop it, and it jerks the firing pin....so be carefull when it is loaded, and locked) to realease that pin is for the trigger to be completely pulled passed its threshold (where you feel it "grab" and then the gun fires...)..
That is the only way that gun will fire.. DO be carefull though, once you have it loaded and the bolt locked, if you were to drop or throw the gun, with the fact is has age it could jostle the firing pin. Other than that though you should be fine.....
I would though, try to spring for an owners manual, OR get online go to the mafacturers website and see if you can contact them with your questions. Also, if you take it into any local gun or ammo shop in your area they will be able to assist you.

Nice find thoughl, Remi's are great guns Especially for home defense!

[abepro]

Wonder how many times C0CKED is going to get edited out in this thread? LMFAO!!


****ed my ****..

[rVOLT]

post a few pics of it....

[Dangasaur]

Pretty much what everyone else said. If you want to see some violent bolt closings you should check out an AR or old Browning A5 shotgun.

Hmm, old semi-auto for defense isn't the *best* idea but it's better than nothing. I garuntee you that if you shoot that gun 200 times it will jam at least a few shells. I've never owned any "older" automatic that was 100%.

[MikeZ28]

As requested I have a couple pics (click for full size)

http://show.imagehosting.us/show/1496600/0/nouser_ 1496/T1_-1_1496600.JPG (http://www.imagehosting.us/index.php?action=show&ident=1496600)


http://show.imagehosting.us/show/1496602/0/nouser_ 1496/T1_-1_1496602.JPG (http://www.imagehosting.us/index.php?action=show&ident=1496602)

[DeepBlueZ]

The main thing I'm not sure of is when you pull back the bolt, it locks into position until you press the release button. Well, it's got a heavy spring on it and it closes with a lot of force. Makes me nervous it's going to set the shell off just by impact.


If the gun is in workable condition it will NOT slam-fire. The recoil spring has to be heavy to take the tremendous load from a 12-gauge recoil.

It seems a little scary the first time, but believe me, the gun is engineered to cycle that way.

I have a 20 gauge remington 1100 skeet gun (semi-auto) and when you close the bolt, the entire gun wants to jump out of your hand. it's just the way they are. ;)

As for a home defense gun, I highly suggest a slide-action (pump) over a semi- auto for a couple of reasons.

first of all, the pump is a little more reliable. if you're familiar with its operation, it WILL work if ever called upon. no need to worry about stove-piping empty shells. :) (not that semi-autos aren't reliable, just that the manual slide-action is slightly more so.)

secondly If god forbid, you are victimized in a home-invasion, sometimes just the sound of jacking a shell into the chamber will be enough to change the invaders mind. (it would sure turn my ass around and head me for the door in a hurry)

racking the shotgun and avoiding a confrontation is certainly preferable to actually having to fire it.

[DeepBlueZ]

also, how long is the barrel on that thing? if it's any longer than 20", I'd say it's going to be pretty unwieldy inside a home.

my weapon of choice for home security is one of these...(Mossberg model 590 special-purpose, 12 ga. slide action, 9-round capacity, 20" barrel)

http://mossberg.com/images/products/SA/50668.jpg

[MikeZ28]

The barrel is 27-28". The gun was designed/used for birds, skeet, etc. so it's not what someone would be looking for in an ideal weapon for the home. But, it's what I've got, and considering I've gone so long without any gun at all, it's an improvement. I figure I'll grab some shells of medium buckshot and hope I never have to use it.

[DeepBlueZ]

The barrel is 27-28". The gun was designed/used for birds, skeet, etc. so it's not what someone would be looking for in an ideal weapon for the home. But, it's what I've got, and considering I've gone so long without any gun at all, it's an improvement. I figure I'll grab some shells of medium buckshot and hope I never have to use it.


stick to #2 or #4 bird shot. It's large enough that a chest full of it is going to put someone down without question, but small enough so that the pellets don't overpenetrate and kill someone in a neighboring room or building.

[rVOLT]

As requested I have a couple pics (click for full size)

http://show.imagehosting.us/show/1496600/0/nouser_ 1496/T1_-1_1496600.JPG (http://www.imagehosting.us/index.php?action=show&ident=1496600)


http://show.imagehosting.us/show/1496602/0/nouser_ 1496/T1_-1_1496602.JPG (http://www.imagehosting.us/index.php?action=show&ident=1496602)


link isnt working for me.

[Philip_G]

completely disagree that a pump is the way to go. Chances of short stroking the pump when nervous are much higher.

[J.E.T.]

also, how long is the barrel on that thing? if it's any longer than 20", I'd say it's going to be pretty unwieldy inside a home.

my weapon of choice for home security is one of these...(Mossberg model 590 special-purpose, 12 ga. slide action, 9-round capacity, 20" barrel)

http://mossberg.com/images/products/SA/50668.jpg

Funny......I just bought a new Mossberg with the light attached, etc. Keep it right by my night stand fully loaded with 00 buckshot. I've got a model 12 Winchester that I bought from my grandfather over 40 years ago........a true classic shotgun. He also had a Remington auto that I passed on to buy the Winchester. If I were you I'd get that gun to a gun shop that could do a "tune up" on it and show you its features in person. Old guns are nothing to mess with because you don't know what kind of use they've had..........get it checked before firing.

JET

[Mart Man GTO]

Funny......I just bought a new Mossberg with the light attached, etc. Keep it right by my night stand fully loaded with 00 buckshot. I've got a model 12 Winchester that I bought from my grandfather over 40 years ago........a true classic shotgun. He also had a Remington auto that I passed on to buy the Winchester. If I were you I'd get that gun to a gun shop that could do a "tune up" on it and show you its features in person. Old guns are nothing to mess with because you don't know what kind of use they've had..........get it checked before firing.

JET

I've got a pre WWII Winchester Model 12 that I got from my Grandfather too. Any idea what these guns are valued at. Mines in excellent shape. It's got a 28" barrel and Grandps used it for skeet shooting mostly.

[J.E.T.]

I've got a pre WWII Winchester Model 12 that I got from my Grandfather too. Any idea what these guns are valued at. Mines in excellent shape. It's got a 28" barrel and Grandps used it for skeet shooting mostly.

Dunno........mine has the 32" full choke barrel. You could take a duck down that you could hardly even see. I know they're a valuable gun though and have had many offers to sell it........sentimental value for me, no money value.


JET

[DeepBlueZ]

completely disagree that a pump is the way to go. Chances of short stroking the pump when nervous are much higher.


I dunno man......Personally, I honestly can't see myself short-stroking that gun under ANY circumstances. the action is so nice and slick...once you get the hammer ****ed, the foregrip almost guides itself all the way down.


You make a good point though. I'm sure I could see someone doing it...just not me.....:)

[Philip_G]

I've got a pre WWII Winchester Model 12 that I got from my Grandfather too. Any idea what these guns are valued at. Mines in excellent shape. It's got a 28" barrel and Grandps used it for skeet shooting mostly.
Actually I was reading an article in one rag or another and the trench guns are going up in value, I just can't remember what they said, I'll see if I can find it.