[DouglasW]

Based on many recommendations (especially here on THR), I just picked up a 311E today. 12ga, (double trigger, single bead, choked Mod/Full) serial number A432xxx and I have a couple questions:

1. What is its estimated age etc... I read through this thread (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=98768), which suggests it's from 1949. It sure doesn't look that old...can Okiecruffler or anyone else confirm that the serial number range a=1949 applies to the E series of 311s too. :confused:

2. What does the E series denote? I saw somewhere it meant it had a fancier stock -- are the mechanicals the same on all 311s?

3. I bought it planning to have the barrels cut down to 18.5" for a coach gun...but it's awfully purty with its full length barrels :D . Is there any source for a Stevens/aftermarket 18" barrel, so that I could keep the original barrells for clays and switch to the shorter barrels when I wanted the coach gun -- i.e. a combo 311???

Thanks everyone for their help, this has been quite an education on working-class SxS shotguns in the past few weeks...

--DouglasW

[Preacherman]

Gun Parts Corp. sometimes has them, although they're out of stock at the moment - see here (http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=089Zz311E) for their parts list for the 311E. Might be worth contacting them and asking to be advised when they get barrels in. (AFAIK, the barrels from any 311 should work on your E-series frame.)

Also, consider looking for another 311 at pawnshops, etc. If you can get one with lousy wood, rusted frame, etc., but with usable barrels, you can often pay relatively little for it, and then have the barrels cut down and fitted to your existing frame.

[DouglasW]

Great suggestions, Preacherman. I just sent off an email to e-gun parts. Thanks!

Can anyone comment on the year of manufacture, etc.?

[Okiecruffler]

As far as I know, an a is an a is an a. and that's a 49. Sometimes I see barrels on Ebay, but they're usually listed right below a reciever so they go for a bit higher than they probably should. And not all barrels are drop in replacements. Of my 3 12's right now 2 will swap, the 3rd is real sloppy if I try to swap barrels.
Thanks for remembering me, I don't lurk around like I used to.

[DouglasW]

Thanks for the response, Okie. I'll keep my eye out for a spare set of barrells...and hope for the best they drop-in smoothly.

--Douglas

[Okiecruffler]

I probably should add that even tho those two 12's will swap barrels and seem to lock up tight, I've never had the waggles to actually pull the triggers on either that way. If you buy an extra set of barrels I can't caution you enough to have them checked by a smith before shooting them. It may be almost as cheap, and probably safer to buy one of those russian made coach guns. Coach guns should have hammers anyway.