I spent Christmas with my family in Florida. My grandfather and I got to talking about shotguns, and he told me that he had a shotgun that had belonged to my other grandfather (long story). He took it out and it turned out to be a Remington Model 17. He told me it was mine when I wanted it. (As I was flying home, I didn't decide to take it with me.)

My grandfather told me it can't be fired anymore as it was designed for use with paper cartridges. Is this correct?