vintage shot gun project

I'm more of an 870 guy myself due to their simplicity, but for a takedown gun the model 12s are the shanizxle

Western Field branded Stevens 520a

The 520/620 are one of those guns that aren’t exactly unknown but rather just forgotten about.

JMB design (of course) Just about all of these vintage sliders we are mentioning here are JMB designed or heavily influenced.

The 520 is better looking than the 620 because of the humpback receiver. I sometimes wonder if the Model 12 had Stevens name on it and the 520 had Winchester’s, which would be more well known today.

Sovblocgunfan said:

the 520 wont work for the OP’s application. The magazine tube terminates with a plug that screws into the barrel and won’t allow magazine extensions.

Click to expand...

I was aware but the OP does seem interested in the slam fire feature and has already expressed interest in the Model 37 of which few have larger capacity magazines.

Several years back at a local gun shop, I found 8 retired Remington 870 Wingmaster slug/riot guns for sale, traded from the local police department. My pick 150.00 out the door, with buck sights and mag extension. It was a great gun, but didnt get used so traded it for something. I would think with some careful shopping it would be pretty easy to find a similar 870 or Ithaca 37 in similar form, saving the chopping and trim work.

Armored farmer said:

I'm more of an 870 guy myself due to their simplicity, but for a takedown gun the model 12s are the shanizxle

Click to expand...

The 520 has the 12 beat in spades on the takedown mechanism. It was designed from the get-go as a takedown gun and it’s stupid simple to do. Very clever.

The slam-fire thing doesn’t impress me much on these old guns. I’ve had several that did it and never cared for it.

But I will say that my 520 still does duty at my house. And it fits in a briefcase or backpack if I want to take it somewhere.

D.B. Cooper said:

I should probably learn more about that gun, just for the sake of knowledge. I thought the Winchester 97 and 12 were the only issued shotguns until 65 when Winchester discontinued the 12 and Ithaca started making 37s for the Army.

Click to expand...

the 520 is a hidden gem, in my book. As i recall JMB had stevens produce his gun in 1903, and it went through several iterations through the late-50’s or eary ‘60’s. The original guns had a sort of “double hump” receiver profile that looks an awful lot like that found on a BAR. That changed on the 520A to a profile that looks similar to the Auto 5. They were then streamlined later on the 620, to look like most other receivers.

it was a simple, dependable gun that wasn’t expensive, so most of the ones you find out there are used really hard. Accessories are pretty much non-existent, but they are certainly capable of an HD role if you want. The military used them as they did 12’s and 97’s, and did develop a trench version off the 520A that had some limited use. Snap one up if you can. You won’t regret it

Some of the 520/620 series are a bit more lefty friendly because of the tang safety also.

Years ago when I went to buy my first pump shotgun, I had read something about making sure it had dual action bars. Don’t know why but I put a lot of merit into that random theory. A lot of fuss is made over single versus double action bars still to this day. It is all much ado about very little as very many terrible pump guns that have already been mentioned like the Winchester Model 12 and Ithaca 37 only had one and look where they ended up.

I also highly recommend picking up a 520.

Sovblocgunfan said:

the 520 is a hidden gem, in my book. As i recall JMB had stevens produce his gun in 1903, and it went through several iterations through the late-50’s or eary ‘60’s. The original guns had a sort of “double hump” receiver profile that looks an awful lot like that found on a BAR. That changed on the 520A to a profile that looks similar to the Auto 5. They were then streamlined later on the 620, to look like most other receivers.

it was a simple, dependable gun that wasn’t expensive, so most of the ones you find out there are used really hard. Accessories are pretty much non-existent, but they are certainly capable of an HD role if you want. The military used them as they did 12’s and 97’s, and did develop a trench version off the 520A that had some limited use. Snap one up if you can. You won’t regret it

Click to expand...

Yes I forgot about that one, it is a good take down gun. I dont think I ever saw one in the wild

DocRock said:

Western Field branded Stevens 520a

Click to expand...

That profile is one of the reasons I bought my Protector.



Not my pic.

Slam fire. J C Higgins Model 20 (made by High Standard for Sears until about 1965). Smooth action. Not collectible, not fancy, not highly valued and so not expensive. Down side, not a bunch of them; as of this very minute of posting there are 9 on Gunbroker with current bids ranging from $75 to $475 with most around $200.

Savage 21. First pump that Savage made to compete with the Model 12. Usually cheap on GunBroker. Good thing is that it is a takedown. Parts guns can be had cheap. Magazine tube holds six. Also known for the slam fire action. Though I've read that is not a good thing for shotguns. Also based on the model 12. Never sold well because the twelve market was too established.

I only know this because I got one from an uncle. Bought a parts gun cheap for an extra takedown barrel. The thirty inch one it came with is full choke. Keeping that for block shoots. The parts gun is a twenty eight inch. I'm going to make that a twenty to a twenty-two inch utility barrel with changeable chokes.

I'm done now. Thumb is tired.

I don’t think you’ll find slam-fire very effective. I tried it with my Trench Gun replica; the first shot hit and each subsequent shot was wide of the target. If you’re shooting buckshot in your home you can’t afford to miss.

Armored farmer said:

A model 12 is a smooth operating, quality piece.

Click to expand...

Mine is not a “trench gun” but has a factory 20” barrel and was used by guards at Dow Chemical in Houston in the 1950’s. It is precious to me, so I have been thinking of relieving it from bedside duty with another pump but have not committed yet.

X62503 said:

Mine is not a “trench gun” but has a factory 20” barrel and was used by guards at Dow Chemical in Houston in the 1950’s. It is precious to me, so I have been thinking of relieving it from bedside duty with another pump but have not committed yet.

View attachment 925808

Click to expand...

My first real trapgun was a 12ga field grade with a Simmons rib.
I started with a shortened stock, then back to the original, then a custom. The serial # indicated 1959 iirc. I Do remember the serial #....1491xxx.(its a curse of mine).

X62503 said:

Mine is not a “trench gun” but has a factory 20” barrel and was used by guards at Dow Chemical in Houston in the 1950’s. It is precious to me, so I have been thinking of relieving it from bedside duty with another pump but have not committed yet.

View attachment 925808

Click to expand...

Go shoot it! bet it would do awesome on a skeet field

George P said:

Go shoot it! bet it would do awesome on a skeet field

Click to expand...

George P, your recommendation matches the spirit of your signature, and is certainly worthwhile. Thank you!

D.B. Cooper said:

If you ever use it for self defense, the police will confiscate it as evidence, and it is possible that you will never see it again, even if you are acquitted.

Click to expand...

This concept has been made clear to me in many THR threads, and is chief among my motives for relieving this gun from HD duty. Thanks!

My Mossberg 500- I had a 20" slug barrel I didn't need, my eldest son had a 28" VR he didn't need, we swapped, and I cut the 28" down to 19-1/2", (just ahead of the of the rib support) and actually used the front sight bead hole to remount the bead. At some point. I intend to put on a Night Sight. Several Companies make them compatible with the threading.