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Looks good! I had a lightweight 31 for a very short time. Too whippy for me and I couldn't hit a damned thing with it.

Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 218

After a few days hunting with this gun, I really like it.

I like it enough that I may send it to Briley for thin wall chokes so that I can use it for pheasants. For grouse and woodcock it's just fine as it is.

Does Orlen do back boring? If the forcing cone is lengthened for plastic wads, and the bore opened some it would have a denser pattern but the size of a cylinder choke. Shoot 7n's for Woodcock 6's for Grouse and 4's for Pheasants all with the same larger pattern.

Joined: 17 Oct 2013 Posts: 3

The standard 31 was steel. The finish was not blue, but, anodizing.

I did a mini lightening of mine in lieu of going to MOO . I didn't do English on the stock , but can get it close by boring thru the grip tongue . Went with 26.5'' on the barrel cut , hoping to leave some choke - it just creams skeet birds . Success ! . While the opp presented itself , I left the barrel beadless to do some beadless shooting . To my surprise , worked well . Till I actually get some pheas in front of it , I'll shoot my 24 gram loads - happy happy - shoot soft even in that lightweight pump ! Glad the orig poster encouraged me to do this ! (just use a snap on bead so that it can be shot either way , beadless or beaded )

Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 218

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida

[quote="byrdog"]Does Orlen do back boring? If the forcing cone is lengthened for plastic wads, and the bore opened some it would have a denser pattern but the size of a cylinder choke. Shoot 7n's for Woodcock 6's for Grouse and 4's for Pheasants all with the same larger pattern.[/quote

He also does jug chokes, that would be another option.

Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 218

This 31L might be one of my favorite grouse guns ever.

Joined: 24 Mar 2010 Posts: 280 Location: Northwest PA

Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 218

I had pretty much the same idea as Caleb for this M-31L, bought through this board from Danny Pratt in early 2012. I'm not as avid a grouse hunter, probably won't hunt Minnesota grouse this season until some time in December. And I haven't used a pump gun in about 30 years, so will expect some second shot hiccups. But I couldn't be happier with the feel of this gun. I need a staighter than standard comb, and I like straight grips, so had it restocked. Mike Orlen trimmed the barrel to 26" and jug-choked it to .005. It was 5 lbs. 5 oz. when I got it, now is 5 lbs. 9 oz. and a bit less weight forward -- balance point is now a bit forward of the bottom receiver port.

Jay

Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 46

If you don't mind me prying, was it reasonable to have it restocked with that nice piece of walnut and who did the work for you? It is lovely...

I might have to keep an eye open for a 31L in 16. i was already planning on getting the standard 16 to keep its little 20 ga. sister company.

Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 218

Wow, Jay, your gun turned out beautifully! Even though I'm sure the process was frustrating, the end result is just stunning. If you ever need a good home for it, let me know. Surprised

Good luck grouse hunting with it later this fall.