Remington Model 878 Automaster
Remington Arms Company · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1959
Also known as: Remington 878, 878 Automaster, Remington Model 878A
Overview
The Remington Model 878 Automaster is a gas-operated, semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun produced by Remington from 1959 to 1963. It introduced an improved self-adjusting gas system that automatically metered gas from two barrel ports into a piston within the magazine tube, eliminating the manual gas adjustment for different loads that the earlier Model 58 required. Feeding from a two-round tubular magazine, it was offered with plain or vent-rib barrels in 26, 28, and 30-inch lengths and served as a lower-cost sporting counterpart to the Model 58, bridging Remington's autoloader line toward the later Model 1100.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3175 g (112.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1245 mm (49.02") |
| Barrel Length | 762 mm (30.00") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tubular |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2560 J (1888 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12GA, 12 Bore
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety
- Features: Self Adjusting Gas System, Vent Rib Option, Interchangeable Barrels
Production
Estimated total produced: 60,000 · Production years: 1959-1963
Discontinued in 1963 and replaced by the gas-operated Remington Model 1100.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Remington Arms
Discontinued: 1963
Notes
Roughly 60,000 units were produced during its short four-year run before it was superseded by the Model 1100 in 1963.
Background
The Automaster's self-adjusting gas system was a stepping stone in Remington's autoloader development, feeding directly into the design lineage that produced the enormously successful Model 1100.