Remington Pump Rifle And The Journey To The 760

The Remington pump rifle would be the new concept for the beginning of the 1900’s. By the years of 1912 to 1914, the Remington Firearms Company would introduce the Remington model 14 rifle. In 1935 the model 14 would become the Remington model 141 gamemaster.

These were the early versions of the high-powered pump rifles that the    Remington    firearms company would produce. These two pump models were the predecessors of the 760 Remington pump rifles that were introduced in 1952.

The model 14 was a unique design and was a fascinating gun to me and I always liked its styling. It was chambered in the 25 Remington, 30 Remington, 32 Remington, and 35 Remington cartridges.

Most of those cartridges were developed to compete with the Winchester rifles, which were chambered for the 30-30 cartridge and the 32 Winchester cartridges. The pump model 14 and 141 were very well-made firearms and were almost totally machined. Every part including the firing pin and a lot of the small parts were machined and extremely well-made.

The model 14 had a lot of parts in it and even though it did have a lot of parts it was a fine functioning firearm. By 1935 they switched to the model 141 Remington pump rifle and started using the name designation of the gamemaster. The name gamemaster would be carried over into the Remington 760 model.

Basically the 141 was the same firearm except for cosmetic differences primarily in the stock and forearm. They would drop the curved steel butt plate on the 14 to a black hard rubber one on the 141. The model 141 would get a nice sleek looking forearm. The model 14 and 141 are a little on the heavy side, but they still maintain a very sleek nice-looking style to them and were quite popular before WWII.

Because of the machining required to make these models and the labor involved. Remington firearms would start looking for cheaper manufacturing options. One of the reasons that they would eventually quit manufacturing these models. The expense of making them and the labor intense manufacturing process would ultimately doom the 14 and 141 Remington rifles.

Remington Arms Company would also make other pump rifles like the model 14. The model 14 ½ Remington rifles in 38-40 and 44-40 are great collector firearms. I will talk more of other models in separate articles.

This eventually let up to Remington Pump Rifle in the Model 760 Pump.

 

Of course the process of manufacturing the Remington 760 model was radically different than the 14 or 141. The biggest upgrade as far as I’m concerned would be that the Remington 760 would be a magazine feed model gun. Much easier to load and unload, which would significantly help its safety issues while unloading.

The other major aspect of the model 760 was the use of the more popular and powerful ammunition. In 1954 the 760 would be advertised in the popular cartridges of 30-06, 270 Winchester,    300 Savage,     and 35 Remington. A big step-up from the Remington ammunition in 30 or 32 Remington. The problem today is getting ammunition in the 25, 30 and 32 Remington cartridges. Of course the 35 Remington ammo is readily available.

Over the years I did a lot of work on those particular firearms. My brother-in-law collected these firearms back in the 1970’s and 80’s. I was privileged to handle about every variation that Remington made in these models. I was always intrigued with its internal aspects and thoroughly enjoyed working on those guns.

They really were a simple gun to work on, even though they were quite intricate in their assembly. As I remember the guns I worked on would develop feeding problem at times. This usually required the cartridge stop to be repaired or replaced. I did replace a good number of firing pins in both models. I would also reblue many of those firearms. One of the reasons I learned those guns so well. I had to completely disassemble and reassemble the firearm during the bluing process and I blued a lot of them.

REMINGTON 760

The shop I worked at in northeast Pa. was in the middle of Remington firearms country. Remington pump rifles are very popular in northern Pennsylvania. 

I did drill and tap a lot of the 14 and 141 Remington rifles as they were perfectly suited to put a scope on. So therefore a lot of people in the 70s and 80s had me go ahead and install scope mounts. This does not help the collectible aspect of that gun today and many of them were done.

This is one rifle (14 or 141) that is getting hard to find quality parts. When used parts do become available they are usually in the same condition of the part you are trying to replace. In some cases it may be advisable to have the part made. It may be only for the collectible firearms in good condition because making those parts will be expensive to make. This will not be for all parts, but some will be difficult to obtain.

Wood for these models is extremely hard to find as a lot of the wood is cracked near the receiver and the forearms will have issues around the screw holes holding the forearm on. Keep them nice and they will definitely bring value over the long haul. Great firearm with wonderful graceful looks.

Not too long ago a Remington pump in the model 14 came into a shop I was visiting. The gun was in very nice condition and in a nice presentation case. But when it was removed from the case it had been drilled and tapped. That really did hurt that gun. So for the collector’s standpoint, those guns that are drilled and tapped have been hurt significantly.

The end of the 141 rifle was 1950 and two years later Remington firearms introduced the Remington pump in the 760 model. That was the start of the third phase of Remington pump rifles. Because the model 141 was discontinued in 1950 I have included it in my list of guns under the Golden age of classic firearms and would consider it a good investment. Either one of these firearms in good or very good condition are great firearms to invest in and should be bought and added to any quality collection. I would give it an excellent rating if the gun is in excellent condition.

Areas to watch when collecting the model 14 or 141:

•    Drilling and Tapping (never factory done)

•    Cracked Stock By Receiver

•    Recoil Pad (never factory done)

•    Reblued  (check my alteration Pages)

•    Ammunition (hard to find) except 35 Rem.

•    Watch for Carbines (fewer made).

 

 

 

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