Remington 81

[Elk Creek]

This gun and the Marlin 336 chambered in .35 REM were considered the ideal NW woods guns. I remember seeing racks of them in the LL Bean and Kittery Trading Post in Maine when they were still actual “outfitters”.

Oh the days….. since this one has a Griffin and Howe mount on it and they install the side mount I would wager it came from either G&H or Abercrombie and finch…. G&H sold their guns through them too… I may shoot them an email to see of they have any records of that SN. The base is not a local gunsmith job…. Three screws contoured to the inside of the reciever and pinned as well……very high quality work.

[Freezer]

oh shoot, forget the 30-30 the Marlin the 35 Rem was king! As for the 300 Savage it had to be the most unappreciated cartridge. It nips the heals of the 308! Great cartridge in some classic guns. Those who reload it and/or hunt with it know what a great cartridge it is. my second longest shot was with a head /beck shot with a Savage 99f in 300 Savage at 281 yards. That cartridge can be impressive!

[Elk Creek]

Took a few better pics today…. It’s home!

[Wambli Ska]

Annnnnddddddd you still suck

[jwv2023]

I have to admit, though I am 75 years old, this is my first exposure ever to the model 81. My first impression is that although your rifle is at least as old as me, it appears to be in great shape. It doesn't seem to have any of the handling wear that I would have expected on a rifle that has been hunted.
One question I have is, since this is the first one I have ever seen, what's up with the crown of this rifle? Does the barrel cycle the action like a A5?

[Elk Creek]

I have to admit, though I am 75 years old, this is my first exposure ever to the model 81. My first impression is that although your rifle is at least as old as me, it appears to be in great shape. It doesn't seem to have any of the handling wear that I would have expected on a rifle that has been hunted.
One question I have is, since this is the first one I have ever seen, what's up with the crown of this rifle? Does the barrel cycle the action like a A5?

It’s actually older than you! 1946 manufacture. Yep it works like a A5 long recoil system. The barrel is inside the outer barrel shroud. There is a recoil spring inside that “barrel” the retainer nut and washer are out front at the muzzle.

[jwv2023]

So my next question is, is there a bushing like a 1911 that realigns the barrel after firing? What effect does that have on accuracy?

[Elk Creek]

So my next question is, is there a bushing like a 1911 that realigns the barrel after firing? What effect does that have on accuracy?

These are 3-4” group rifles…. There is a threaded bushing that holds the spring but it “floats” with the barrel the shroud stays put.

[Wambli Ska]

So my next question is, is there a bushing like a 1911 that realigns the barrel after firing? What effect does that have on accuracy?

These are 3-4” group rifles…. There is a threaded bushing that holds the spring but it “floats” with the barrel the shroud stays put.

What he said. These will not win you a bench rest competition, they were built for the woods for fast first shots with a REALLY fast follow up(s) if needed. They were also very popular with LE and I believe several were on hand on the famous Bonnie and Clyde take-down. You can get extended mags for them that used to be sold to LE agencies.

[breamfisher]

They used Model 8s at the shootout with Bonnie and Clyde. The Model 81 was introduced in 1936, Bonnie and Clyde died in 1934.

Hamer used a .35 Remington rifle. Incidentally, the FBI did order some .35 Remington Model 81s after the shootout with Pretty Boy Floyd.

[Freezer]

AI Overview
Learn more
…
The guns used to kill Bonnie and Clyde included:
Remington Model 8: A semi-automatic rifle that Frank Hamer used to fire the first shot, hitting Clyde in the head. Hamer's rifle was customized and had a 15-round magazine.
Colt Monitor: A rifle used by Hinton in the posse.
Shotguns: Used by the posse after the rifles ran out of ammunition.
Pistols: Used by the posse until the car went into a ditch.
Bonnie and Clyde were known for having unusually powerful firearms, which they often stole from National Guard armories.

[Freezer]

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/histor ... clyde.html

https://gunsmagazine.com/our-experts/remington-model-8/

[Wambli Ska]

They used Model 8s at the shootout with Bonnie and Clyde. The Model 81 was introduced in 1936, Bonnie and Clyde died in 1934.

Hamer used a .35 Remington rifle. Incidentally, the FBI did order some .35 Remington Model 81s after the shootout with Pretty Boy Floyd.

True. In my head the 8 and 81 are interchangeable guns. The differences are really cosmetic. Good article about the guns in Shooting Times.

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial ... 0511/99466

[breamfisher]

So, here's a listing of all the firearms in "The Highwaymen" and the description of the Model 8 points out one of the cosmetic differences: the forend.

https://www.imfdb.org/wiki/The_Highwaym ... ding_Rifle

They also mention that they used a Winchester 1907 in .351 Winchester. Which my grandfather had but my dad sold. Turns out neither of them liked the rifle because it kicked too hard and was inaccurate.