HELP! Stevens/Savage 311?

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JCooperfan1911

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Hello friends. Time sensitive question thanks in advance for the help!

I am eyeing a good condition later model Savage Stevens 311 side by side double barrel 12 gauge shotgun. How do these guns hold up over time? Are they robust and reliable? If a part breaks, can parts be found and do any gunsmiths still work on these?

Basically asking if the 311 is a collectible/wall hanger or can be used as a shooter. Thanks all!
 
I've owned two. The first had a bad firing pin out of the box. It was repaired and had no more problems in years of use. The second was used when purchased and is still working fine. The first one had more shells through it and spent many many days in the field. Based on that the second one was purchased and now belongs to my grandson.
Would I consider owning another one? Absolutely.
 
Mine was made for Sears. It was used for CASS matches and it never failed me. At first I intended to cut the barrels to 20" from the original length (28" M/F) but even though it was slower to handle than the shortened guns I liked it so much I decided to not mess with it and left it as is. As far as parts availability I don't know because I've never needed to repair it. They are perhaps not a great SXS but they are a great SXS for the price.
 
A Model "B" basically an 311/511 with a walnut stock and color case hardening, was my hunting gun up until the State of CA banned lead shot.
I wish I could still hunt with it however I can't afford Bismuth cartridges :mad:
 
My second shotgun many years ago was a 20 gauge 311. It was not a Purdey, but always served me well. Guy next door had a 12 gauge, and loaned it to me regularly and served as a very effective entry to duck hunting gun. Never a hint of a problem with either one.
 
They were budget guns designed to last a lifetime for a hunter who put 2-3 boxes of ammo a year through one. I've had a couple over the years and the internal parts are cheaply made and wear out with a lot of use. They haven't been made in years and most of them have already exceeded their useful life. But if you run across one that hasn't been shot a lot it could have some life in it. I wouldn't buy another.
 
:)
JCooperfan1911 said:
How do these guns hold up over time? Are they robust and reliable?
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My wife's 20 gauge 311 still works, and she's had it since I bought it for her in 1973 - her first gun. However, (and that's a BIG "however") I don't think she's put a box of ammo through it in 30 years!
I can say this much for sure - one of the hammers broke in my wife's 311 sometime in the early '80s. I was able to have a friend of mine braze it back together, and that's the hammer that's still in it even though I was able to find a new one later on. The "new" hammer is in a drawer somewhere.;)
My wife has gone through a couple of "youth model" 20 gauge pumps since she retired her 311 so many years ago. But to answer your question - unless I could get it very cheap, I wouldn't buy another 311 because I don't think they're "collectable/wall hangers" or "shooters." Just my opinion, of course.:)
 
If your considering the purchase of a 311 check the position of the top snap (locking lever) when the action is closed. If it's to the right of center it is probably a low use gun. If it's at center or to the left it's seen some use and should be looked over closely. My first one was used to the point that the lever had moved past center and well to the left. Still worked and locked up fine but I figured it was time for a new owner.
 
Using Cvans sage advice, if you find a 311 that is in good shape, they are a fairly robust gun, I loved the 2 I owned when I was younger, Still kick myself for selling the 16. I have since shot some fine European SxS's, and really like them. The 311's seem clunky compared to them.
Consider 311's a step above Stoeger, a good 100 round a year or so gun. For more strenous use I'd look at a BSS, Ithaca/SKB 200, Ithaca NID, or some of the European SxS's sold by Simpson:
https://simpsonltd.com/search-results-page?q=double+barrel+shotgun
 
I look at them sort of like the Mossberg 500 of SxS shotguns. Can be bought reasonably, will do everything most people ever need them to do...for years and years. Never gonna be highly collectible or win any beauty pageants though. I've had mine for 25 years and it was probably 40+ years old when I got it. I don't shoot it much anymore, but it would be the first shotgun I grab if I'm going to do something where a shotgun is necessary.
 
Cvans said:
If your considering the purchase of a 311 check the position of the top snap (locking lever) when the action is closed. If it's to the right of center it is probably a low use gun.
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Ha!Ha!Ha! That's good to know, and I really got a good laugh out of it. Thanks!:)
After reading your post, I dug out my wife's old 311 (the one I bought for her in 1973) and looked at the top snap (locking lever) - it's still way to the right of center! As I said in my post:
.308 Norma said:
My wife's 20 gauge 311 still works, and she's had it since I bought it for her in 1973 - her first gun. However, (and that's a BIG "however") I don't think she's put a box of ammo through it in 30 years!
Click to expand...
:D
 
I have one in 16ga. I feel that’s the sweet spot, the 12s and 20s are both pretty heavy and clunky for caliber, compared to other guns. I usually see them in 12ga, rather rough-looking typically but functional. I’d buy one, if you’re considering it. Doubt you’ll enjoy it enough for trap or skeet to put thousands of shells through it to find out whether it’s a fairly bulletproof old gun or one that’s prone to wear out quickly with heavy use. They’re really designed for hunting and for that purpose they’re great, provided you use bismuth if you are going for waterfowl, which is really what they were designed for and geared towards. They’re one of only a few SxS where removing ALL the wood after the gun takes a swim, is both possible and straightforward. Simple, no frills, reliable guns which give you the instant choice of chokes (typically mod / full) or loads.
 
Thanks, gang.

I wouldn’t be a super high volume shooter. Maybe a couple hundred shells a year.

Should I grab it? Highly, highly tempted.
 
JCooperfan1911 said:
Should I grab it? Highly, highly tempted.
Click to expand...
Howland937 said:
If the price is right, yeah
Click to expand...
What Howland937 said - "If the price is right, yeah."
Earlier in this thread, I said I wouldn't buy "another" 311. But that's because the one I bought in 1973 was for my wife. She used it for pheasants and doves for 15 or 20 years before going to a "youth model" 20 gauge pump. And that's what she still uses even though her old 311 still works swell.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I wouldn't buy another 311 because neither I nor my wife have any use for one - I love my Browning Auto-5 "light 12" 12 gauge.:thumbup:
Just one more thing - if that 311 is in good shape and the price is decent, I'll bet you'll regret passing it up later if you're at all like me.;)
 
If it’s nice and less than $300 buy it. If it’s more than $375 it better be pristine, a gauge other than 12ga, and preferably an older 311a instead of one of the later ones.
 
It is a 311R 18" coach gun model, new in box never fired. From my research a rare model. Asking price is $1000.
 
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