[contender]

I'm looking for some opinions/knowledge about the winchester model 24.

I am looking over the various sxs shotguns for use in CAS and find hardly any mention of the model 24 in that sport.

I appreciate the fact that it is American made, double triggers, extractors only. But there is little reference as to its strengths or weakness.

Is it a better/superior/stronger design over the savage 311 series?

[Coyote3855]

A friend had had a Winchester Model 24, I had an older Stevens 311. Not a lot of difference. Given the option and no concerns with price, I would opt for the Winchester. If you plan to use the gun for CAS competition, I suggest you visit one of the CAS forums and ask your question there. I personally use either an older Stoeger coach gun, or a more recent TTN hammer double for CAS competition. I know that some of the faster shooters are using SKB or Browning doubles. Haven't seen a reference to Model 24.

[PA4476]

I would avoid the 24 Winchester unless you want a wall hanger. I have seen half a dozen come through the gun store I spend time at and never seen a good shooter, they always have problems. The Stevens 311 is far and away a better gun.

[Virginian]

A big ditto to what PA4476 said. I think the best gun to use is a Stoeger Uplander. We need to preserve as many 311s as possible.

[ArmedBear]

CAS tuned Stoegers seem to work great. It's not like you need a finely-balanced bird gun to do CAS. You need a gun that you can abuse without reservation, and repair/replace when necessary.

No need to use an old gun for a sport that involves beating the crap out of guns.

[Mat, not doormat]

The 24s are bizarre critters. For one thing the spring powered extractors are highly prone to leaving shells stuck in the chamber, unlike mechanical linkage types.

BSS is the way to go. Stoegers just don't hold up well. A few guys who shoot stoegers wind up buying a new one every year.

~~~Mat