Picked up a new old shotgun - 16ga Remington Model 11 Sportsman

[Snaveba]

I picked up a new old shotgun at an auction recently and I finally got it from my FFL.  It is a 1936 Remington Model 11 Sportsman autoloading shotgun, 16 ga.  My FIL had a Browning A5 Sweet 16 at one time, sadly it was stolen.  I was out bid on the lever guns I was really after and just following the auction and it popped up.  The price was good, even with the buyer's premium.  It included a period Lyman Cutts compensator with a full choke end.  it also has a vintage rubber slip on recoil pad that was hard as a rock.  Also, it will be a sweet mate for the 1936 Remington Model 81 autoloading rifle (.35 rem).  They look quite similar.

I did my normal teardown and deep cleaning, removed the old recoil pad (to find another underneath). The finish on the stock was meh, with obvious wear under the recoil pad. The forend was in good shape.  Both pieces ended up with a deep clean/strip and a hand rubbed Danish oil finish.  One of these days I will get it (and all the lever guns) to the range for a day of shooting.

These photos are from the auction site:

 

These were taken when I removed the recoil pad:

   

These are after I put it all back together.  The stock and forend will still get a few more hand rubbed layers of Danish Oil:

      

 

The Model 81 for Reference:

 

 

Edited October 14, 2023 by Snaveba

[TripleGGG]

Very nice find. Congrats! 

[KahrMan]

I love my model 11. It was my grandfathers.  It was the only shotgun I used till my late

20’s. Was quite the shock when I used a different shotgun to find out that not all shotguns kick like a mule like the model 11. 

[papa61]

beautiful piece. Nice score, congratulations! And nice work restoring the wood.

[Snaveba]

2 hours ago, KahrMan said:

I love my model 11. It was my grandfathers.  It was the only shotgun I used till my late

20’s. Was quite the shock when I used a different shotgun to find out that not all shotguns kick like a mule like the model 11. 

I would think the recoil system in the Model 11 would lessen the “mule kick”. I have only shot pump action shotguns, so I was hoping this would be less. 

[Garufa]

13 minutes ago, Snaveba said:

I would think the recoil system in the Model 11 would lessen the “mule kick”. I have only shot pump action shotguns, so I was hoping this would be less. 

The Model 11 Remington is basically the same thing as a Browning Auto-5.  Designed by JMB himself, it is recoil operated, not gas, so it’s got some thump to it.  It also one of  the most naturally pointing shotguns there is, if not the best.

[Snaveba]

After taking it apart, I saw many similarities between the Model 11 and the Model 81. 

[KahrMan]

17 minutes ago, Garufa said:

 It also one of  the most naturally pointing shotguns there is, if not the best.

You are correct about that. I never realized how good it was till I started using other guns. 
 

Mine also has what is commonly referred to as a suicide safety.  The safety is inside the trigger guard.  

[Snaveba]

It does feel really easy to get to your shoulder and your line sighted in. Can’t wait to shoot it.
 

I even have some vintage paper 16ga shot shells to try out. 

[Will]

Had a few.  They all had the same exact chokes. I wonder if that was a factory option.   

[DJTC45]

That one cleaned up good. They are interesting shotguns.

[1gewehr]

My Grandfather was a big Remington fan.  He had a matched set of 12, 16, and 20ga model 11s.  I learned to shoot with his Model 12 .22.

John Browning learned from his experience with Winchester trying to low-ball him.  He sold the rights to manufacture the Automatic Shotgun to Remington, Savage, and FN.  And then his brother started Browning Arms distribution in North America!  All selling the exact same gun!  

[Sleep profit]

Speaking from experience a good recoil pad is a must and a lot of Browning A-5 parts  work on this gun. Nice find 

[leroy]

On 10/15/2023 at 1:28 AM, Will said:

Had a few.  They all had the same exact chokes. I wonder if that was a factory option.   

Yup.... Most all of the older shotguns came with factory Cutts... 

leroy...

[chances R]

yep, there is a reason the gun had two recoil pads...

[chances R]

On 10/14/2023 at 11:02 PM, Snaveba said:

It does feel really easy to get to your shoulder and your line sighted in. Can’t wait to shoot it.
 

I even have some vintage paper 16ga shot shells to try out. 

If it were me, I would hang onto the vintage shells....nice collector item.

[Snaveba]

8 minutes ago, chances R said:

yep, there is a reason the gun had two recoil pads...

The second one was effectively useless. It will keep in mind I may need a second recoil pad. 

[gregintenn]

On 10/14/2023 at 6:47 PM, KahrMan said:

I love my model 11. It was my grandfathers.  It was the only shotgun I used till my late

20’s. Was quite the shock when I used a different shotgun to find out that not all shotguns kick like a mule like the model 11. 

https://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2021/10/10/tfb-armorers-bench-understanding-auto-5-friction-ring-orientation/

I assume the Model 11 uses the same friction ring setup as the Browning A5. If so, these rings, properly mated to the load you are shooting, can help mitigate the excessive recoil.

I expect you already know this, but maybe it'll help someone.