Rem Model 31 Problem

[Wis-Harpo]

A guy at the range that I shoot gave me a Rem Model 31 in 12 gauge to look at and see why it would only take 1 round in the magazine tube. I removed the barrel, and removed the knurled barrel tightening piece. I expected to see a wooden plug that limited the magazine to 1 shell because it was a full choke gun converted to a skeet shotgun with a cuts Skeet choke. But there was NO plug inside of the magazine tube. Then after I put the shotgun back together again, I could get 2 shells in the magazine tube, but no more. I tried again, and could only get 1 shell into the tube. The third try I got 2 shells in the tube. Now this guy wants to hunt doves with this shotgun, and what if a warden could get 3 shells making it illegal to use. Question is what is going on. Yes the magazine tube has no dents, the spring looks good, and I cleaned the mag tube.

 

[tmd16556]

I can’t think of anything specific part of the Model 31 that might do that, but it’s been a Few years since I broke mine down that far since I usually have it as the back up dove gun. I did have a similar problem once with a 20 gauge Ithaca. It really stumped me for a while because it wasn’t consistent. Then I had the same problem with my 20 gauge Benelli. It turned out it was a single shell that had the rim resized incorrectly to be too big and was catching somehow.

I’d try with a different group of shells and see what happens. The model 31 isn’t really picky, but an out of spec shell rim could make some trouble.

 

[cdb1]

I think I’d try different shells too.

 

[Wis-Harpo]

Yesterday the guy that had the Rem Model 31 brought it back to the club house, and asked me how to take it apart. So he did have a vice grip pliers, something to protect the tightening wheel, and a hammer. I took it apart, and all looked good. Another member noticed a circle of dried oil on the cartridge follower metal cup. The dried oil was removed, and the shells went in and out of the magazine tube as they should. The increased diameter of the follower caused by the dries oil was all it took to jam the second shell from entering the magazine tube. Who would have thunk it ??