Remington Model 31 Restoration

KCRaider21 · July 29, 2013, 01:36 PM

I recently restored a remington model 31. I used birchwood casey's stock finish and perma blue. It really turn out pretty nice, for my first time, with exception of the triger assembly. The bluing got a really dark pasty film over it and they a white film. When I went to use a little steel wool to blend it in it would practically wipe off. It's like the bluing didn't want to stick to the medal. Anyone got any ideas of what might be the problem and how I might fix it? I did not have this problem with the barrel or reciever.

James K · July 29, 2013, 01:56 PM

I thought the Model 31 trigger guard was steel, but it might be an alloy of some kind. If so, it might not take blue at all and you might have to use a paint. Test it with a magnet and if it is not steel, it won't take that blue.

FWIW, I hope your blue job holds, but general experience is that cold blues just won't hold up under any significant use. They are fine for a touchup (or a quick sale), but they come off with handling.

Jim

KCRaider21 · July 29, 2013, 02:17 PM

I just did the restoration because I wanted a little project and it had very little finish left anyway. I had a blast working on this little project. It also had some sort of spotty clear coating on it. I go it for $50 so no big loss if it doesn't hold up. It's a 16 gauge and likely won't see much use by me anyhow.

Dixie Gunsmithing · July 29, 2013, 10:33 PM

$50 is a steal for a 31, as they're good guns, and I wish Remington would make them again.

The first model 31 trigger assembly and guard was steel, but I can't remember if the 2nd model was or not. They changed to aluminum just after this gun, with the 870, but may have started with the 2nd model trigger group on the 31. The 2nd model has the thin hammer in it.

KCRaider21 · July 31, 2013, 09:04 AM

Now that I have finished this project, I have a couple people that may be intersted in buying it. Does anyone have an idea of what a fair price would be? I'm not really sure what it would be worth. Here are a couple before and after pics. If I didn't mention before it is a 16 gauge and just says model 31.

July 29, 2013, 01:36 PM	#1
KCRaider21 Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Posts: 78	Remington Model 31 Restoration I recently restored a remington model 31. I used birchwood casey's stock finish and perma blue. It really turn out pretty nice, for my first time, with exception of the triger assembly. The bluing got a really dark pasty film over it and they a white film. When I went to use a little steel wool to blend it in it would practically wipe off. It's like the bluing didn't want to stick to the medal. Anyone got any ideas of what might be the problem and how I might fix it? I did not have this problem with the barrel or reciever.

July 29, 2013, 01:56 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I thought the Model 31 trigger guard was steel, but it might be an alloy of some kind. If so, it might not take blue at all and you might have to use a paint. Test it with a magnet and if it is not steel, it won't take that blue. FWIW, I hope your blue job holds, but general experience is that cold blues just won't hold up under any significant use. They are fine for a touchup (or a quick sale), but they come off with handling. Jim

July 29, 2013, 02:17 PM	#3
KCRaider21 Member Join Date: March 21, 2013 Posts: 78	I just did the restoration because I wanted a little project and it had very little finish left anyway. I had a blast working on this little project. It also had some sort of spotty clear coating on it. I go it for $50 so no big loss if it doesn't hold up. It's a 16 gauge and likely won't see much use by me anyhow.

July 29, 2013, 10:33 PM	#4
Dixie Gunsmithing Moderator Emeritus Join Date: April 27, 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,923	$50 is a steal for a 31, as they're good guns, and I wish Remington would make them again. The first model 31 trigger assembly and guard was steel, but I can't remember if the 2nd model was or not. They changed to aluminum just after this gun, with the 870, but may have started with the 2nd model trigger group on the 31. The 2nd model has the thin hammer in it.