Remington Model 8 in .35 Rem.

[Battis]

I have a Remington Model 8 in .35 Rem on hold for a week. I've researched it, watched videos, read some more - it looks like a great rifle. The brass and dies are available, bullets and molds are available, the gun's in great shape, price is under $500.
Anything to look for, any quirks in shooting, reloading, etc? I don't hunt, and it's not a collector's item, but it has that "something".
I have four of the Winchester Self Loaders from the same era. This Remington jumped out at me.

[TXGunNut]

Texassako is a fan of the 8 and 81, I've enjoyed watching him shoot his so much I fondle every one I see in the used gun rack. Fascinating JMB design.

[Battis]

I knew nothing about it until I went home and did some research, then I called the store and put it on hold. The retracting/recoiling barrel is really interesting. I'm going back tomorrow to give it a thorough going over. Browning was truly a genius.

[TXGunNut]

Sounds like fun, start gathering brass!

[GRUMPA]

Sounds like fun, start gathering brass!

My thoughts exactly, most may list them but they aren't always available. But that is a conversion that never seems to slow down for me, folks still can't believe you can make them from 308 brass with the right equipment.

[Earlwb]

I think that the only problem with a Model 8, is trying to find the empty brass cases after you fire it. In the forest brush etc. the cases tend to just go poof, never to be seen again. Mine can throw the cases quite a distance when you fire it. But when they made the guns, most people weren't interested in saving the cases. A box of rounds could last you a long time, if you only shot what you needed for food. In more modern times with deer tags and hunting seasons where you could only bag one deer a year, a box of ammo could last upwards of 20 years then. So reloading wasn't really something on people's minds like it is nowadays.

[CraigOK]

Sounds like you found a fun new toy. Were you looking for a new gun or just browsing? I ended up buying a revolver from a guy at the range one time after we chatted about 44mag vs 45colt. Wasn't in the market for one, but its it's probably my favorite pistol.

[376Steyr]

If your Model 8 has a curved steel buttplate, take some extra shoulder padding when you go to the range. I once shot a Model 8 in 35 Rem in only my shirtsleeves. I only made that mistake once.

[Battis]

I was looking for one rifle that would round out my list, and that was the 1910 Winchester Self Loader .401. I figured I'd never find one after looking for a few years (locally), so I bought the 1917 .30-06, telling my wife it'd probably be the last rifle I'd buy. Sure enough, a week later, a .401 came into the store. Well, I got it and it was definitely the last rifle I'd buy. Then, yesterday, I saw the Remington Model 8 .35 Rem. I have it on hold and it's definitely the last rifle I'll ever buy...
The funny thing is that I had about 10 fired .35 Rem cases that I got last year (I liked the box) and last week I converted them into .401 WSL.

[GunGuy2756]

I picked one up about 15 years ago in 30 Remington. Ammo is somewhat rare and averaged $1.00 a shot. It worked well enough but the curved steel buttplate made it uncomfortable to shoot.
After reading that these rifles are a nightmare to get back together I never attempted to tear mine down for cleaning. It was also stated that they are such a PITA some gunsmiths don't want to deal them either. Again, this is something I read on the net and can't verify. I sold it off on GB for much more than I paid.

[Battis]

There's a few disassembly/assembly videos for the Model 8 on YouTube that should help. I replaced the recoil springs in three Winchester Self Loaders - the .401 was definitely the hardest to do. Once you get the technique down, and make tools that they might have used back in the day, they're not hard to do. Just shut the doors and windows and let the nasty words fly.
Hands down, the hardest rifle that I ever put back together was one that was never meant to be taken apart - the Remington Nylon 66 .22.
I'm not a fan of heavy recoil. With the Winchester Self Loaders, I found the lowest powder load that ejects the empty cases. The .32 and .35 are nice to shoot. The .351 is worse than the .401 - the .401 is a heavy rifle, like the Model 8.

[Lloyd Smale]

had a .30. It was a great gun. accurate and very little recoil due to the weight of it. Rob Applegate collects them and he did a custom rifle for me years ago and I gave it to him as a gift for the work.

[Bent Ramrod]

I had one in .25 Remington for a while, and occasionally fired a friend's .35 Remington. Recoil is a little disconcerting, as it's kind of a one-two punch, as the bullet exits and the mechanism moves. More pronounced in .35 than .25, obviously.

I never had trouble losing empties with mine; the gun dropped them in a nice little pile by my right foot. I can't recall what the friend's .35 did, but he had a Winchester autoloader in .401 that really flang them shells out there. He got one of those nylon mesh shell catchers for that one.

The look of the thing is like a Mauser pistol--just Cool, that's all. You can find out everything about the gun, including disassembly, in the book The 8 And The 81 (can't remember author's name). The Second Edition is kind of pricey, but the First has all you need and may be found used at a more reasonable price.

[Battis]

I picked up the rifle today along with a set of Lee dies. The blue is mostly gone but there's no rust or pitting. It functions perfectly. It looks like it was made in 1928.
I found this site with some great info:
http://thegreatmodel8.remingtonsociety.com/?page_id=8

[Battis]

I found posts on various forums where shooters used .357 pistol bullets in their .35 Rem rifles with decent results. But the rifles used were lever action. I'm wondering how those bullets might work in the semi-auto Remington Model 8. Any ideas?

[Duckiller]

I have one made in 1913. Bought it in 2014. .357 pistol boolits work great. If the load is too light you may have to manually cycle out the fired brass. Mie was clean when I bought it. Don't believe they are that difficult to strip down and clean.

[Mytmousemalibu]

I really want an 8 or 81!

[historicfirearms]

I had good luck with the RCBS 35-200-fn boolit in mine. Loads that will reliably cycle will have a fair amount of recoil, but not anything an average shooter can't handle.

[Earlwb]

My example was made circa 1911-12. One of the early ones. Ser # 12xxx. Although mine has a serial number that implies it was made around 1908, the stamping on the barrel has a patent for 1911 shown.

Of course when I had it out last to check on it and oil it some, I found that I had forgotten how to operate the optional rear peep sight on it. The sight is stuck in the down position and I couldn't get it to move to the up position. I think one loosens the lock nut and then pulls it up or out and that unlocks it so you can move it up for use. But now I am not sure.\

If you don't already know about it they have a serial number listing and manufacturing dates here:
http://thegreatmodel8.remingtonsociety.com/?page_id=450

[Battis]

I got alot of good info on the Remington Society site.
Mine doesn't have the rear peep sight. One of my Winchesters has it. They're pricey on ebay.
I'd like to take the barrel assembly apart to clean and lube it. Any suggestions for a spanner wrench?

[Bent Ramrod]

Earlwb,

It looks like you have a Marble's rear sight on your rifle. If you hold the top thimble while turning the bottom one clockwise it will loosen it (move it further down the shaft). Then the top thimble can be turned to push the peep sight up or down. When done, turn the bottom thimble counter-clockwise to bring it up against the top one to lock it in place. There's not a lot of space to do this; just a turn or less from "unlock" to "lock."

The one I have always seems to "self-tighten," too. Some Kroil and leather-padded small pliers (and a careful, light touch) are often necessary. I've seen few used ones that don't have the knurling flattened or otherwise marred, so a lot of people must have had trouble with the things.

I have one on a rifle I'm always trying new loads on, so I just leave the bottom thimble loose. Why Marble thought they needed a lock ring, I have no idea. The Lymans do fine without one, and I never notice the Marble sight moving up or down by itself, either.

The book on the 8 and the 81 has instructions on how to make the spanner that takes the end nut off the barrel jacket.

[Earlwb]

I got alot of good info on the Remington Society site.
Mine doesn't have the rear peep sight. One of my Winchesters has it. They're pricey on ebay.
I'd like to take the barrel assembly apart to clean and lube it. Any suggestions for a spanner wrench?

I was thinking that one may need to make a tool for it. Maybe a adjustable two prong pin spanner as it would be easier to make. I never tried taking mine all apart. All I did was remove the barrel assembly a few times. But I can clean the gun fairly well without taking it apart. I never wanted to mess with the barrel spring or the recoil spring. That doesn't look like fun.

http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1083/3366/products/Adjustable-Face-Pin-Style-Spanner_1024x1024.jpg?v=1460561407

[Earlwb]

Earlwb,

It looks like you have a Marble's rear sight on your rifle. If you hold the top thimble while turning the bottom one clockwise it will loosen it (move it further down the shaft). Then the top thimble can be turned to push the peep sight up or down. When done, turn the bottom thimble counter-clockwise to bring it up against the top one to lock it in place. There's not a lot of space to do this; just a turn or less from "unlock" to "lock."

The one I have always seems to "self-tighten," too. Some Kroil and leather-padded small pliers (and a careful, light touch) are often necessary. I've seen few used ones that don't have the knurling flattened or otherwise marred, so a lot of people must have had trouble with the things.

I have one on a rifle I'm always trying new loads on, so I just leave the bottom thimble loose. Why Marble thought they needed a lock ring, I have no idea. The Lymans do fine without one, and I never notice the Marble sight moving up or down by itself, either.

The book on the 8 and the 81 has instructions on how to make the spanner that takes the end nut off the barrel jacket.

Thanks for the information. I think I was trying one thing when I needed to do two things to get it to work.

[nekshot]

Best expression I heard for shooting one is "its like shooting a pogo stick". Nice thing if you reduce the loads they stay on the bolt and its easy to empty it. Mine will never be forsale by me.

[Battis]

Shooting the Winchester Self Loaders reminds me of that strongman circus game where you hit the lever with a hammer and try and ring the bell.
The Winchester Self Loaders and the Remington Model 8 came out at just about the same time. Competition or cooperation? Either way is fine with me. Great guns.

[justashooter]

The Remington 8 is a long recoil Browning design that works just like the Auto-5 shotgun. I have a 1915 made Model 8 in 35 Remington with Marbles peep sight that is a joy to shoot. It has an extended recoil cycle that seems mild and drops the empty cases right next to my feet. I believe that they are all takedown guns, and I have an old 24"X6"X8" wooden case that looks like a carpenter's tool box, lined with muslin and leather handled, to store the gun in takedown. You can carry such a package onto anything without x-ray and nobody would ever think that you were carrying a gun.

The only concern with takedown is that you have to verify that the bolt is in correct rotation in re-assembling. Recoil in the Model 8 is less than other 35 Remington guns I have (Marlin 336SC, Remington 14, Savage 170) but the extended cycle can take getting used to. The duration of cycle seems longer than the same action in a Franchi 48AL shotgun (aluminum receiver copy of the Auto-5). Keeping the gun correctly oiled optimizes cycle time. Mine has the extended 10 round "police" magazine.

Coincidentally, I was also able to find a 1907 Winchester with 10 round magazine. The 351 uses an increased weight blowback that actually recoils more than the Model 8, and makes for a heavier gun. I lucked into a bunch of closeout Jameson purpose built ammo for it, and it is a fun gun to shoot, being the original "assault rifle".

Both guns were used by FBI and police during the gangster era. The 35 Remington was the only commonly available and reliable repeater that would stop a Model T with one shot to the engine block. Either will kill deer sized game with aplomb. I was able to get both of these guns in the 250$ bracket, but these are Penna prices in the 2012 time frame.

[ticket machine]

I have an original Remington model 81 Police Gun with the 15 round magazine. Only one I have ever seen, and I've only seen one more for sale 20 years ago. Mine is a .35 Remington with the Marble tang sight. It is fun to shoot and does shoot the RCBS 35-200FN pretty well. The shotgun butt is comfortable to shoot and recoil is not a problem. The long spring does take some getting used to. Never tried to shoot a group, but I'm sure it is capable of minute-of-deer accuracy. Yes, it once belonged to a Police Dept. and was the original "SWAT" gun.

[Earlwb]

That is pretty neat, getting a Remington .35 Rem police gun. I don't think they converted very many of them at the time back then. If I remember right the semi-auto rifle chambered for the .351 Winchester sort of stole some of .35 Remington's thunder with the police departments.

[Texas by God]

One won't be enough! They are habit forming. I got a .300 Sav model 81 recently and although it kicks like hell I love to shoot it. Cast boolit loads tame it down considerably and it's one of those rifles you just marvel at every time you handle it. If I find a model 8 in .32 Rem in good condition- well I'll just have to have it! Best, Thomas.

[waksupi]

I had one a few years back. Felix set me up with some factory new brass for it. I recall Buckshot told me when you shoot a Model 8, every single part moves. He is correct, and I always kinda giggled when I shot it, thinking about that.

[Battis]

I've been shooting the Model 8 quite a bit, with 158 gr .358 cast bullets, 20 gr IMR 4227 and Grumpa-made brass. Great shooter - no jams, misfires, failures to eject, etc. The brass pops straight up, then drops. I've also been shooting the Winchester Self Loader .401, which has nasty recoil.
I've been using a portable, step-on bird thrower with my Remington Model 11 (12 ga), which has the same long recoil as the Model 8. I decided to try a round of trap at my club (my first time actually shooting trap - I shot skeet back in the 80s). I'd like to say I broke them all, but 20 was it. I really like the long recoiling rifle and shotgun.

[pietro]

I was looking for one rifle that would round out my list, and that was the 1910 Winchester Self Loader .401.
I figured I'd never find one after looking for a few years (locally), so I bought the 1917 .30-06, telling my wife it'd probably be the last rifle I'd buy.
Sure enough, a week later, a .401 came into the store.
Well, I got it and it was definitely the last rifle I'd buy.
Then, yesterday, I saw the Remington Model 8 .35 Rem.
I have it on hold and it's definitely the last rifle I'll ever buy...
The funny thing is that I had about 10 fired .35 Rem cases that I got last year (I liked the box) and last week I converted them into .401 WSL.




Realize it's a sickness (most of us have) - there's no cure from acquiring yet another gun.......... ;)

.

[Battis]

A little side note - I recently got this leg of mutton gun case (patent date 1907). Apparently they were made for the take-down rifles and shotguns, the Remington Model 8 & 11, and the Winchester Self Loaders. They fit perfectly inside - one compartment for the barrel, the other for the stock and receiver. This one shows its age, but it's in great shape. It still has the green felt lining inside.

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m217/pohill/DSCF5297_zpsqrznk2d0.jpg

[Pb4me]

I have a model 8 in 35 and it was made in 1927. I had good results with the Lyman 358315 gas check with homemade lube, 20.5 grains of SR4759, Remington brass and Remington 9.5 primer. At 50 degrees temperature, average velocity was 1735 and standard deviation was 21.88. It cycled the action fine and was still mild to shoot compared to factory rounds. 36 grains of IMR-4895 also shot well but I have more of the SR4759. Velocity of factory 200 grain rounds was slightly over 2000. For dating when the rifle was made, it's easy to look it up on the "great model 8" website, but there also date codes stamped on the left side of the barrel jacket just in front of the receiver. This will tell you when those parts were made. The barrel jacket on mine was made in 1928, following the receiver which was made in 27. I wanted one of these because it was put into production when my dad was born. Oddly enough, two of the month and day patent dates are my birthday, my dad's birthday and the rifle receiver was made the year my mother was born. Obviously, the years don't apply but I found it interesting. Good luck with yours and happy shooting.

Battis, that's a very nice case.

[Lon246]

Remington Model 8 in .35 Rem.In 1954, on a deer hunt with relatives, an Uncle had that rifle and shot a deer. He was kidded a lot with the idea that, "Hell with that rifle the 'ole man just threw out so much lead the poor thing just died trying to climb over the pile". I just remember it as being a lot heavier than my 94.

[Battis]

This is a pretty good video about the Remington Model 8.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQxCTTq_Gwg

[Bill*B]

They are interesting rifles, built in a different era, but do wear a broad brimmed hat when you shoot it! The brass is ejected straight up - and it is rather a thrill when a hot case goes down the back of your shirt.

[Good Cheer]

Bought a 81 in .35 just for a jack rabbit cast boolit rifle. Loved it but the right hand scope set up, I just never could get comfortable with it.