My First SXS Stevens 311

[TNT]

I bought a Stevens 311C this week for $159 on clearance and would like some info. This is a 12ga with 28" barrels and blonde colored stock. The receiver is case colored and looks great. The blueing on the barrels is good and so is the stock except for a crack above the trigger halfway up the receiver on the left side. It doesn't seem to be a problem. On the receiver it has the markings PB and then AJ with a circle around the A and the J. Any help on the date of manufacture?

I have read a lot of post on SXS shotguns and have always wanted one for the collection. This is the first 311 that I have seen so I snatched it up instead of buying a Stoeger or other Russian gun.

 

[Dave McCracken]

IMO, the divers 311s are the least costly GOOD doubles available. Cheaper shotguns then these are junk or occasional pieces like the Crescents.

They're not perfect. Some have the barrels coming unsoldered, this can be determined by the Ring Test mentioned before.

To reprise, disassemble the weapon, hang the barrels from the lug and tap with a pencil. A clear tone is a go ahead, buzzing or a "dead" sounds means expensive repairs.

Oft one lock misfires. Some times a detail strip and cleaning is all that's needed, other times the ministrations of a good smith are necessary.

FWIW, I found out recently the "Ranger" mentioned in the floater about building a Lupara was a Stevens 311. Good shotgun......

If it passes the ring test, it's definitely worth the price mentioned, and more...

HTH....

 

[TNT]

Ok Dave you got me going. I went and did the test and when I tapped both barrels it sounded like I hit a bell. It has a nice ring to it.

I stepped outside and put a couple rounds down the tubes and it functioned like it should. I'll shoot it some more this weekend.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Could it be a 4 and a J circled? That sounds like the date mark, but usually its a number and a letter. Letter J is dated 1958. Good gun at a great price.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Great!! Sounds like a go. Do pattern it and see where it's shooting. If things fall together, you've got a great example of a good shotgun.

 

[TNT]

Okiecruffler, There are no numbers on the receiver or barrels. Both the receiver and barrels are marked with the PB and A circled and then a J circled. The metal on the forearm is also marked the same. I checked the gun auction sites and it looks like the 311 is selling for between $200-$350.

Thanks for the help Dave and Okiecruffler.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Well, that's a thinker. Is there a letter in front of the serial number?

 

[TNT]

To be honest there is no serial number unless it's hidden somewhere? These letters are the only identifiable markings.

 

[greyeyezz]

If your Stevens Modell 311 was made between March 1949 and December 1968 it will have a date code. The code will be located behind the hinge pin or ahead of the triggerguard on the bottom of the frame. It will appear as a small circle containing a number and a letter.I had to find mine with a magnifying glass. The letters correspond to the year of manufacture with "A" being 1949 through "X" meaning 1970.

 

[TNT]

There is a tiny circle on the top of the right barrel with 15U in it.

 

[greyeyezz]

Does the right barrel say SELECTED FORGED STEEL? Nothing on the left receiver side?

 

[TNT]

The right side does say "selected forged steel" and the left side says "Proof tested 12 guage, 2 3/4 inch chamber."

Does anybody think that the lines before and after the writing on the barrel might indicate the choke for the barrel. It looks like this:

Right side:
=Selected Forged Steel=

Left side:
Proof Tested 12 Guage
-2 3/4 Inch Chamber-

 

[greyeyezz]

You can determine the standard chokes by the barrel length, 12 Ga. 24 & 26 inch IC&M, 28 & 30 inch M&F.

 

[halvey]

and so is the stock except for a crack above the trigger halfway up the receiver on the left side. It doesn't seem to be a problem.

Ah yes, the "Stevens crack". I just repaired one this weekend. Now the gun is super solid. I told my dad this is pretty common. My dad, who's not a gun guy, but is an accomplished woodworker, wonderwed why they made the wood so thin in this area. *shrug*

For the price you can get these for, I'll live with it.