CIL 401 and 402

My understanding is that the 401 is a copy of the Remington 812 that was made for foreign sales and Remington had a stake in the Brazilian company in the 1970's and possibly the 60's as well. Can't tell you the exact years of manufacture, all I can confirm is that they were being sold in Canada in the 70's.
 
I have a 402 that was given to me by my FIL, it was his old duck hunting 12 gauge, he said he recalls getting it new in the early 70's and it kept him and his family quite well fed when he had time to hunt. I cleaned it up (was sitting in a shed for 15 years when I got it) and shot some lead loads through it and no complaints, it does what it should do.
 
Not unusual to see these with broken plastic parts - the forend piece which engages the receiver, and the knob on the opening lever.
Interesting how the receivers were made. Heavy formed piece of sheet steel with welded in components.
I believe the Remington 812 was Brazilian made.
 
I had a really nice one that I traded then later sold made in Brazil. It had very nice fit and finish. Figured it would be a great single shot upland gun but then after adding more guns I ran out of use for it, plus it kicked like a mule so was unpleasant for trap shooting. Still it was a nice looking piece, Hope the fellow that bought it is putting it to good use.
 
I've never seen one marked 401, I'm sure there were variations.
I bought my first 402 brand new in 1968, still have it, it has the narrow finger grooved forend.

A couple of years ago I bought a 20ga. barrel from a fellow nutter for another 402 I own. It was a non-ejector barrel, made that way and the first I had ever seen. Just wondering if that feature might have defined the 401 model.
 
Waba said:
I've never seen one marked 401, I'm sure there were variations.
I bought my first 402 brand new in 1968, still have it, it has the narrow finger grooved forend.

A couple of years ago I bought a 20ga. barrel from a fellow nutter for another 402 I own. It was a non-ejector barrel, made that way and the first I had ever seen. Just wondering if that feature might have defined the 401 model.
Click to expand...

I had a 401 in 20 gauge with a non-ejector barrel. Bought it used and sold it again back in the 70's. First gun I owned and for that reason wish I had kept it.
 
Thanks for that tidbit, pastway. My speculation on the 401/non-ejector feature was just a passing thought but it just might have some merit.
I would be interested to hear from others on the subject.

BTW I paid $27.95 for my 402 at Thornes Hardware in Saint John . The MSRP was $36.95 but the clerk mistakenly read it off the wholesale list. I always thought it was classy of him to honour the price, especially to a 15yr old kid.
 
I have both CIL and Remington versions of these shotguns. I know one was bought new by my father in 68( the year I was born) and will never leave the family. I have an 812 in 12 gauge that weighs a lot for a single and has started opening occassionally when fired. I'll likely have to source a part or two for it.
 
tiriaq said:
Not unusual to see these with broken plastic parts - the forend piece which engages the receiver, and the knob on the opening lever.
Interesting how the receivers were made. Heavy formed piece of sheet steel with welded in components.
I believe the Remington 812 was Brazilian made.
Click to expand...


In the early '70s a friend & I each had one of these. The plastic piece behind the forend broke on both of them, this was in less than 50 rounds being fired. Piece of crap that I returned to the store.
 
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