If you have been wondering what Remington Firearms has been up to…..here you go.
If Dad had given him the money would things have been different? Remington Firearms folklore says that in about 1816 Eliphalet Remington II asked his father for the money to buy his first firearm. Dad reportedly refused and young Eliphalet, using the metal forging skills he had already obtained made his own barrel and soon put together his first muzzleloading rifle. We are told that he took this rifle to a local shooting match, placed second in the competition, and came home with so many orders for rifle barrels that he was now in the firearms business. Eliphalet Remington never looked back and went on to found a gun company known for quality and innovation in the production of firearms.
Many of you out there know some of the history of Remington Firearms and even more of you have treasured Remington rifles and shotguns stashed in guns cases, closets, and safes all over the country. One could say the history of Remington runs close to that of America, in that this company has supplied arms and ammunition in every major conflict going back to 1845 when the young company procured its first contract to supply rifles for the military. Like many companies, down through the years Remington was bought and sold several times but continued introduce what would become classic firearms for shooters and hunters.
I would not even fathom a guess of how many different rifles and shotguns Remington has given us over the years, but I would offer a couple of the most famous examples. American hunters and competition shooters have had a long love affair with the Remington Model 700 rifle. The 700 has been made in a vast array of different variants. The venerable 700 action is still highly prized for those building their own custom rifles. Likewise, the Remington Model 870 shotgun forged its place as an iconic shotgun with sportsman around the world.
Those of you that follow me in these pages know that a few years ago we talked about a “new” 870 that came on the scene, the 870 Fieldmaster. I bought one of these guns, shot it extensively and put it through the mill to see how it would hold up, including dunking the shotgun in a creek and then putting it in a freezer overnight. I fired the Fieldmaster the next day several times with no problems. The point of all this was to show the nay sayers that the “new” Model 870 could hold up to all these rigors just like the one your Grandad hunted with.
Now Remington has started a new era with the announcement that they will be producing a new line of over and under and side by side shotguns. “One of the first questions we got at Remington Firearms was when we were going to bring back some classic side-by-side and over & under shotguns” said Jeff Galloway Product Manager at Remington Firearms. “We searched everywhere for the best answer. The Model 1816 Precision Double & the Model 1816 Precision Field by Remington was the choice for today’s classic, modern needs. Under our strict quality requirements, we were able to have some of the finest shotguns produced currently in the world. Side-by-side and over & under shotguns require a lot of hands-on work and timing. No machine in the world can duplicate the hand fitment and attention to detail of our partnered master gunsmiths. We are very excited to be able to bring you the Model 1816 Precision Double and the Model 1816 Precision Field by Remington. Personally, I can’t wait to get them back out in the field. They both come with a lightweight, rugged green carrying case and 5 flush chokes: Skeet, Improved Cylinder, Light Modified, Modified, & Full.”
If you haven’t seen one of the new 1816 Precision doubles from Remington, they are lovely. Both feature color case hardened receivers, (a favorite of mine) single selective triggers, deep bluing, and nice Turkish walnut furniture. The side by side is currently available in 20 gauge and the over and under in 12. I have to note that the side by side has handsome little splinter forearm. (Another favorite of mine)
Many of us long for a classic double gun that won’t break the bank. Remington has filled this niche with the 1816 Precision shotguns. I think Eliphalet Remington would be proud. www.remarms.com
Larry Case www.gunsandcornbread.com
