Greetings from Southern Kalifornia

[p38buff]

Finally got to examine my Model 81 that I won at auction. The pictures did not do it justice! What a great gun. Now the longest 10 days of the year start. I set out a year ago to acquire the most iconic John M. Browning firearms that are legal and affordable. So far, I have a Model 1911A1 .45 ACP, a W94 30-30 lever, a Model 97 12 gauge (born in 1912), and now a Model 81, vintage 1938. I have already started ordering molds, dies, and brass in .35 Remington. I bought the last box of .35 Rem in San Diego so it's a good thing I hand load. I have been scouring this site and others for hand loading cast boolit data and I can't wait to find the "sweet spot" for this gun. I plan on taking it hog hunting this fall so any suggestions from the forum would be appreciated.

There is something special about operating a design that has been around for more than 100 years and that still performs just as well as the new stuff.

Thanks for all the great info so far.

[Hardrada55]

Welcome P38buff! Sounds like you're well on your way to experiencing one of the great firearms genius JMB"s greatest creations (in our humble opinions), the Remington autoloading rifle. Please keep us posted and don't be stingy with the pictures. My dad owned two Model 97s which he used to chase blues and bobwhite quail with out in Andrews County, Texas. Got good memories of those guns. P38 is an awesome handgun. I have an AC43 with capture papers. Anyway, Hope you enjoy the board and get alot out of it. I know I do. Walt

[81police]

Howdy p38buff! You picked a fine rifle in the Model 81 no doubt A truly classic JMB design.

And i'll second the 1897, I thought it was the coolest gun in "The Wild Bunch".