Remington Model 58 semi-auto any good?
- Thread starter MD
- Start date
MD,
Do you mean the Sportman 58? I have one that belonged to my father-in-law. He bought it way back when the earth was still cooling, and as far as I know it has never malfunctioned. I doubt that any scattergun was ever kept cleaner though. I'll save this one for my boy, since 1) It was his grandfather's, 2) It's a little short in the buttstock for me, and 3) I like O/Us anyway.
Dogleg
Do you mean the Sportman 58? I have one that belonged to my father-in-law. He bought it way back when the earth was still cooling, and as far as I know it has never malfunctioned. I doubt that any scattergun was ever kept cleaner though. I'll save this one for my boy, since 1) It was his grandfather's, 2) It's a little short in the buttstock for me, and 3) I like O/Us anyway.
Dogleg
Yes
Exactly, a Sportsman 58.
They come up for sale at a reasonable price once in a while.
One hunter on the US duck hunting site told me that when they were worn, they stick, fail to feed and fail to eject.
Maybe I'll keep saving for a Belgian made Browning.
Exactly, a Sportsman 58.
They come up for sale at a reasonable price once in a while.
One hunter on the US duck hunting site told me that when they were worn, they stick, fail to feed and fail to eject.
Maybe I'll keep saving for a Belgian made Browning.
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
Belgian made Brownings (standard models 12 ga 30" full) seem to be getting cheaper on the used market. I have seen and purchased good specimens for around 300.00 to 500.00 a real bargain in my opinion. Steel is a no no for a Belgium barrel, but I now lots of fellows who have opened chokes and keep right on shooting them. Japan barrels are availble with screw in chokes and are steel OK. The old 58 is still a good gun and likely more able to handle steel than a Belgian Browning. I had one for years and I don't want to guess how many rounds it would take to wear it out.
cheers Darryl
cheers Darryl
MD,
It turns out that I also have a Belgium Auto-5, Grade 11 in 3" magnum. I like it more because it fits a little better, and the fit and finish blows the Remington away. It is also about a ton heavier, and the long recoil mechanism feels like it has to kick and jump around 3 times for every shot. Makes a real cool Ka-chunk sound though. The barrel is choked somewhere around "super extra full", which was great in the lead days, not as good now. The old Brownings seem to last forever, and there are used ones all over the place for $300-450 depending on condition.
While on the subject of old Brownings, have you ever handled a Twelvette 2 shot auto? They are about the closest I have come to an autoloader that handles like a double. I had some fun playing with mine, but I'm a double guy and will always prefer them. Good luck with your search.
Dogleg
It turns out that I also have a Belgium Auto-5, Grade 11 in 3" magnum. I like it more because it fits a little better, and the fit and finish blows the Remington away. It is also about a ton heavier, and the long recoil mechanism feels like it has to kick and jump around 3 times for every shot. Makes a real cool Ka-chunk sound though. The barrel is choked somewhere around "super extra full", which was great in the lead days, not as good now. The old Brownings seem to last forever, and there are used ones all over the place for $300-450 depending on condition.
While on the subject of old Brownings, have you ever handled a Twelvette 2 shot auto? They are about the closest I have come to an autoloader that handles like a double. I had some fun playing with mine, but I'm a double guy and will always prefer them. Good luck with your search.
Dogleg
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beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
The 58's were a very capable gun. Pointed and balanced much better than the 1100's which replaced them. Prone to crack the receiver just back of the slot that accommodates movement of the "operating handle" as Remington calls it, or "cocking lever" as most others refer to it. Remington solved this problem in the 1100 by milling a secondary slot further back into the receiver.
Those noticing cracks in their 58 receivers often drilled a small hole at the end of the crack to stop it from moving further back - usually worked too.
Canadian Skeet Shooting Great - Barney Hartman, ( Industry Shooter with C.I.L.) used a 58 ( actually a pair of them) for years as his primary 12 gauge tournmament guns - maintaing a then unheard of .9975 percent plus average in the 60's !!! Yes, they are good old guns. Have the extra slot milled in the receiver if it's not cracked, and maintain it properly, keeping the magazine tube/piston assembly clean with 0000 steel wool. Should go another 50 years withn a little TLC !!!
Those noticing cracks in their 58 receivers often drilled a small hole at the end of the crack to stop it from moving further back - usually worked too.
Canadian Skeet Shooting Great - Barney Hartman, ( Industry Shooter with C.I.L.) used a 58 ( actually a pair of them) for years as his primary 12 gauge tournmament guns - maintaing a then unheard of .9975 percent plus average in the 60's !!! Yes, they are good old guns. Have the extra slot milled in the receiver if it's not cracked, and maintain it properly, keeping the magazine tube/piston assembly clean with 0000 steel wool. Should go another 50 years withn a little TLC !!!
