If you have spent any time scouring used gun racks in Canada, you have likely come across firearms stamped with the CIL (Canadian Industries Limited) brand. CIL did not actually manufacture these guns; instead, they outsourced them from major American and international manufacturers.
The CIL Model 607H is a classic example of this era. Underneath the branding, the 607 is fundamentally a Savage Model 67 pump-action shotgun. While it served as a highly popular, budget-friendly entry-level option in the 1960s and 1970s, buying one today comes with a unique set of pros and cons.
Overview
The CIL 607H was designed as a no-frills, utilitarian shotgun for waterfowl, upland birds, and general utility farm use. It features a steel receiver, a wood stock, and a traditional under-barrel tube magazine. Because they were built by Savage, these shotguns are mechanically robust when it comes to firing and cycling, but they lack the refined fit and finish of premium firearms from the same era. Today, they are frequently found on the used market for very low prices, making them appealing to budget-conscious hunters or those who love vintage rimfires and shotguns.
Specifications
- Action: Pump action
- Gauge: 12 Gauge (20 Gauge models also exist)
- Chamber: 3-inch
- Barrel Length: 28 inches or 30 inches typically
- Choke: Fixed Full choke (typical for this model)
- Weight: Approximately 7.5 lbs
- Current Market Value: $150-250 CAD
Usability and the Disassembly Headache
In the field, the CIL 607H points well enough and functions like any standard pump action. The slide release is easy to access, and the gun cycles reliably with standard hunting loads. However, the fixed Full choke on most models means you need to be very careful with modern steel shot; you will want to stick to lead, bismuth, or have a gunsmith open up the choke.
Where the usability score truly plummets is when you bring the gun back to the maintenance bench.
The Verdict on Cleaning: If you are used to a modern pump shotgun like a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500, the CIL 607H will frustrate you.
Unlike modern shotguns where you simply unscrew the magazine cap and slide the barrel forward, the CIL 607 possesses a fixed barrel. To completely disassemble and clean the action, you must follow a tedious process:
- You have to remove the buttstock completely.
- You must punch out the trigger group pins and remove a retaining screw.
- The entire trigger assembly, bolt, and action bars must be pulled out through the back of the receiver.
The forend wood can also be incredibly stubborn to remove, often requiring specialized tools or improvised wrenches to break the rusted threads loose on the forend cap. Because of this design, many owners historically chose to never clean the internals, meaning used models are often packed with decades of old grease and powder fouling. If you buy one, prepare to use plenty of gun cleaner to blast out the dirt.
Aftermarket and Potential Modifications
If you like customizing your shotguns, the CIL 607H is the wrong platform for you. There is virtually zero modern aftermarket support. You will not find tactical stocks, oversized safety buttons, or easy-to-install magazine extensions.
Competitors
When evaluating the CIL 607H against other used shotguns on the market, it goes up against several well-known budget options:
- Remington 870 (Wingmaster or Express): The 870 is vastly superior in ergonomics, aftermarket support, and ease of disassembly. Even a well-used 870 Express is generally worth the extra cash over a CIL 607.
- Mossberg 500: Similar to the 870, the Mossberg offers effortless takedown and a modular barrel system, leaving the CIL 607 far behind in terms of convenience.
- Cooey Model 84/840: If you just want a cheap, vintage Canadian-branded utility gun, the Cooey single-shots are even simpler and have fewer moving parts to break down, though they lack the repeating capability of the 607 pump.
Conclusion
The CIL 607H is a relic of a different era in Canadian hunting history. It is a tough, heavy-stamped workhorse that will absolutely harvest game if the barrel is bright and the action is functional.
However, its convoluted disassembly process makes basic maintenance a chore. If you find one in good mechanical condition for a bargain price, it makes a decent truck gun or backup piece. If you want something user-friendly that you can easily clean after a muddy day in the duck blind, you should probably save your money for a used Mossberg or Remington.
