Remington Model 81

McShooty · March 2, 2013, 04:23 PM

Patented by John M. Browning in 1900 and offered by Remington as the Model 8 soon after, updated in 1936 and called the Model 81 Woodsmaster, this one in .300 Savage. A long-recoil operated semi-auto. I have been wondering how well a gun can shoot when its barrel moves with every shot. Gonna find out.

guncheese · March 2, 2013, 05:23 PM

"I have been wondering how well a gun can shoot when its barrel moves with every shot"

well ask all the 1911 folks and most other auto pistols, ive often wondered the same
i guess its all about the lockup
that said it shows why my crappy old hi-point C9 is accurate

but what a really nice piece you have there
hard to keep the drool off the keyboard!!!

Fishbed77 · March 2, 2013, 07:04 PM

Quote:

I have been wondering how well a gun can shoot when its barrel moves with every shot

Well, since the sights are fixed to the barrel, I don't see how there could be any issue with accuracy from shot to shot on account of the moving barrel.

McShooty · March 3, 2013, 07:23 PM

The sights are not fixed to the barrel. They are fixed to the outer tube in which the moving barrel rides.

HiBC · March 3, 2013, 07:41 PM

A friend gave me one in 300 Savage.I need to make a new forend,and I need to find/make a tang screw.I'd surre like to find a new recoil spring..

John Moses Browning designed this rifle and the FN-FAL.They both have a recoil spring in a tube in the stock...the layout is similar.I'm hoping maybe John Moses used the same basic spring.Its a long shot..maybe.

But,the thing is starting to grow on me! I like it.

I do not know the accuracy potential of this rifle,but the semi-auto Barrett 50 is recoil operated.

If you watch e-bay under Remington model 81 or model 8 you will see the Marbles/Lyman tang peeps and literature/manuals,along with a few parts.

bedlamite · March 3, 2013, 09:10 PM

Pic background needs more red.

cat9x · March 4, 2013, 07:44 PM

The Remington Model 8 (predecessor to the Model 81) was accurate enough to be used in the 1912 and 1920 Olympic games. In 1912, the U.S. "running deer" team used Model 8's in 30Rem to bring home a silver medal. (Henwood, 260).

They're not target rifles though, but some are capable of 2" groups at 100. They've got a 2 lug rotating bolt. There's actually 3 main springs in the rifles. In the barrel jacket you'll find a buffer spring, which is short and stout, and also the primary recoil spring. In the stock there's the action spring which forces the bolt & carrier back forward after each shot. Springs don't usually need to be replaced. I've got a 107 year old Model 8 still cranking out brass all day with original springs.

300Sav, along with the 35Rem, are known as the heavy (shoulder) hitters. If you want to know more info than you'll find anywhere check us out below...

www.thegreatmodel8.net

Fishbed77 · March 4, 2013, 10:17 PM

Quote:

The sights are not fixed to the barrel. They are fixed to the outer tube in which the moving barrel rides.

In that case, all bets are off!

FALshootist · March 6, 2013, 11:08 PM

HiBC, JMB was long dead before the Fn-Fal. He had nothing to do with its design.

McShooty · March 8, 2013, 12:54 AM

Cat9X: Thanks. I am familiar with your informative site, "The Great Model 8." If you say 2" at 100 yards, that sounds about right and that is what I will try for. In fact, I will try for a bit better than that, when the lilacs begin to bloom. Man, that background is red, isn't it. If you would like that effect, drop me a line and I will send instructions.

cat9x · March 8, 2013, 10:35 AM

Hey McShooty, could you post a pic of that front sight? It's unique looking.

**Mike Irwin** · March 8, 2013, 10:54 AM

"HiBC, JMB was long dead before the Fn-Fal. He had nothing to do with its design."

FAL,

Fabrique National made a version of the Model 8. It's identical in every way to the Remington, but has FN markings on the receiver and the intertwined FN logo on the butt plate.

I THINK, but am not 100% certain, that the FN version was made only in .25 and .30 Remington.

At least I hope that's actually what HiBC meant...

McShooty · March 8, 2013, 03:02 PM

I don't have a pic of the front sight right now, but I can tell you that it is a Williams 1/16" bead, somewhat higher than the stock front sight. I wanted to see if such would fit in anticipation of adding a rear aperture sight. I have a peep sight method for shooting groups that works for me. My heart is sixteen years old, but my eyes are a whole lot older, and an aperture works well for me with the right target design. The dovetail in the stock ramp is a bit large for the new bead, and I will need to shim it.

cat9x · March 8, 2013, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Fabrique National made a version of the Model 8. It's identical in every way to the Remington, but has FN markings on the receiver and the intertwined FN logo on the butt plate.

I THINK, but am not 100% certain, that the FN version was made only in .25 and .30 Remington.

Fabrique Nationale made the Modele 1900, which is a near copy of the Remington Model 8. There are quite a few small differences though, especially in the receiver. It was only ever offered in "calibre 9mm" i.e. 35 Remington. Below is a article on this version made in Belgium,

http://thegreatmodel8.remingtonsocie.../?page_id=1562

**Mike Irwin** · March 9, 2013, 08:38 AM

That's a nifty page!

I bought my 81 in .300 Savage about 10 years ago and have never gotten around to firing it.

HiBC · March 9, 2013, 05:12 PM

OK,OK,I made a mistake! I was wrong.

McShooty · March 10, 2013, 01:13 AM

If there were'nt, like 40 million different kinds of guns to know about, probably none of us would ever be wrong. No problem. I appreciated your comment about possible avalability of a tang peep for this gun. It should work out well if I can find one.

HiBC · March 10, 2013, 08:49 AM

There is a Marbles and a Lyman both right now.They are made to fit the contour of the base of the receiver hump.That dummy screw at the junction of the tang and rear of receiver is for the sight,the hole is already there.

Be aware,collector prices!

Search for both Model 8 and 81

**Mike Irwin** · March 10, 2013, 09:46 AM

"OK,OK,I made a mistake! I was wrong."

No cookies for you!

A few years ago I found a period tang sight at a gun show. I was very pleased, thinking my gun was going to be wearing that very nice piece of kit...

IIRC, the guy wanted $175 for it.

I later found out that that wasn't a bad price.

cat9x · March 10, 2013, 10:39 PM

you guys are right, tang sight prices are ridiculous today. Take a look at even the 8 & 81 stripper clips, they've got crazy too.

James K · March 11, 2013, 09:30 PM

Browning didn't design the FN-FAL, Saive did. But the Model 8/81 did have some echoes down the years, including the FAL bolt return spring. In addition, Melvin Johnson borrowed the way of attaching the operating handle, and one Mikhail Kalashnikov thought the safety looked like a good idea.

Jim

March 2, 2013, 04:23 PM	#1
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	Remington Model 81 Patented by John M. Browning in 1900 and offered by Remington as the Model 8 soon after, updated in 1936 and called the Model 81 Woodsmaster, this one in .300 Savage. A long-recoil operated semi-auto. I have been wondering how well a gun can shoot when its barrel moves with every shot. Gonna find out.

March 3, 2013, 09:10 PM	#6
bedlamite Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2000 Location: WI Posts: 1,395	Pic background needs more red. __________________ A plan is just a list of things that doesn't happen.

March 4, 2013, 07:44 PM	#7
cat9x Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 212	The Remington Model 8 (predecessor to the Model 81) was accurate enough to be used in the 1912 and 1920 Olympic games. In 1912, the U.S. "running deer" team used Model 8's in 30Rem to bring home a silver medal. (Henwood, 260). They're not target rifles though, but some are capable of 2" groups at 100. They've got a 2 lug rotating bolt. There's actually 3 main springs in the rifles. In the barrel jacket you'll find a buffer spring, which is short and stout, and also the primary recoil spring. In the stock there's the action spring which forces the bolt & carrier back forward after each shot. Springs don't usually need to be replaced. I've got a 107 year old Model 8 still cranking out brass all day with original springs. 300Sav, along with the 35Rem, are known as the heavy (shoulder) hitters. If you want to know more info than you'll find anywhere check us out below... www.thegreatmodel8.net Last edited by cat9x; March 5, 2013 at 11:42 AM.

March 8, 2013, 10:54 AM	#12
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	"HiBC, JMB was long dead before the Fn-Fal. He had nothing to do with its design." FAL, Fabrique National made a version of the Model 8. It's identical in every way to the Remington, but has FN markings on the receiver and the intertwined FN logo on the butt plate. I THINK, but am not 100% certain, that the FN version was made only in .25 and .30 Remington. At least I hope that's actually what HiBC meant... __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 9, 2013, 08:38 AM	#15
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	That's a nifty page! I bought my 81 in .300 Savage about 10 years ago and have never gotten around to firing it. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 2, 2013, 05:23 PM	#2
guncheese Senior Member Join Date: January 13, 2013 Posts: 128	"I have been wondering how well a gun can shoot when its barrel moves with every shot" well ask all the 1911 folks and most other auto pistols, ive often wondered the same i guess its all about the lockup that said it shows why my crappy old hi-point C9 is accurate but what a really nice piece you have there hard to keep the drool off the keyboard!!!

March 3, 2013, 07:23 PM	#4
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	The sights are not fixed to the barrel. They are fixed to the outer tube in which the moving barrel rides.

March 3, 2013, 07:41 PM	#5
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,350	A friend gave me one in 300 Savage.I need to make a new forend,and I need to find/make a tang screw.I'd surre like to find a new recoil spring.. John Moses Browning designed this rifle and the FN-FAL.They both have a recoil spring in a tube in the stock...the layout is similar.I'm hoping maybe John Moses used the same basic spring.Its a long shot..maybe. But,the thing is starting to grow on me! I like it. I do not know the accuracy potential of this rifle,but the semi-auto Barrett 50 is recoil operated. If you watch e-bay under Remington model 81 or model 8 you will see the Marbles/Lyman tang peeps and literature/manuals,along with a few parts.

March 6, 2013, 11:08 PM	#9
FALshootist Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2002 Posts: 589	HiBC, JMB was long dead before the Fn-Fal. He had nothing to do with its design.

March 8, 2013, 12:54 AM	#10
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	Cat9X: Thanks. I am familiar with your informative site, "The Great Model 8." If you say 2" at 100 yards, that sounds about right and that is what I will try for. In fact, I will try for a bit better than that, when the lilacs begin to bloom. Man, that background is red, isn't it. If you would like that effect, drop me a line and I will send instructions.

March 8, 2013, 10:35 AM	#11
cat9x Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 212	Hey McShooty, could you post a pic of that front sight? It's unique looking.

March 8, 2013, 03:02 PM	#13
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	I don't have a pic of the front sight right now, but I can tell you that it is a Williams 1/16" bead, somewhat higher than the stock front sight. I wanted to see if such would fit in anticipation of adding a rear aperture sight. I have a peep sight method for shooting groups that works for me. My heart is sixteen years old, but my eyes are a whole lot older, and an aperture works well for me with the right target design. The dovetail in the stock ramp is a bit large for the new bead, and I will need to shim it.

March 9, 2013, 05:12 PM	#16
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,350	OK,OK,I made a mistake! I was wrong.

March 10, 2013, 01:13 AM	#17
McShooty Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2012 Location: Northern Missouri Posts: 480	If there were'nt, like 40 million different kinds of guns to know about, probably none of us would ever be wrong. No problem. I appreciated your comment about possible avalability of a tang peep for this gun. It should work out well if I can find one.

March 10, 2013, 08:49 AM	#18
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,350	There is a Marbles and a Lyman both right now.They are made to fit the contour of the base of the receiver hump.That dummy screw at the junction of the tang and rear of receiver is for the sight,the hole is already there. Be aware,collector prices! Search for both Model 8 and 81

March 10, 2013, 09:46 AM	#19
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 14, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,642	"OK,OK,I made a mistake! I was wrong." No cookies for you! A few years ago I found a period tang sight at a gun show. I was very pleased, thinking my gun was going to be wearing that very nice piece of kit... IIRC, the guy wanted $175 for it. I later found out that that wasn't a bad price. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 10, 2013, 10:39 PM	#20
cat9x Senior Member Join Date: September 17, 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 212	you guys are right, tang sight prices are ridiculous today. Take a look at even the 8 & 81 stripper clips, they've got crazy too.

March 11, 2013, 09:30 PM	#21
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Browning didn't design the FN-FAL, Saive did. But the Model 8/81 did have some echoes down the years, including the FAL bolt return spring. In addition, Melvin Johnson borrowed the way of attaching the operating handle, and one Mikhail Kalashnikov thought the safety looked like a good idea. Jim