After firing, the barrel and bolt, still locked together, move rearward inside the receiver and compress two recoil springs.

Then the bolt is held back while the barrel is returned forward by one of the springs permitting extraction and ejection.

It is a take-down design, meaning that the barrel and receiver are easily separated with no tools, allowing for a smaller package for transport.

The Model 8 was offered in five grades of finish (Standard, Special, Peerless, Expert and Premier) [9] and was the first truly reliable high power semiautomatic rifle ever commercialized (1906).

[4] Hamer's rifle was a customized .35 Remington Model 8 with a special-order 15-round magazine from Petmeckey's Sporting Goods store in Austin, Texas.

[4] The rifle was modified to accept a "police only" 20-round magazine obtained through the Peace Officers Equipment Company in St. Joseph, Missouri.