New (old) 16ga.

[chas08]

I stumbled upon an unusual (at least to me) 16ga. shotgun at a pawn shop. I probably paid a little too much for it. But it seems to be in really good shape for it's age.

It's a Sears Ranger Model 30, 16ga, 28" barrel, full choke, with 2 3/4 in. chamber. I did a search on it and believe it to be the same gun as the Stevens 520.

The asking price was $225, they declined my offer of $175, so we settled on $200 and now it's mine.

It has a very unique way of taking it down, that caught my machinists eye. Everything seems to work as it should. Is there anything that I should be aware of on this model?

It probably won't get shot a lot, but as with all my guns it will see some use. I'd like to hear any positives or negatives to increase my knowledge on the model.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Looks like a Stevens manufacture. I think model 520.

These are excellent shotguns that are often overlooked.

 

[35Rem]

Lee Lapin - PM him for info, or do a search of his posts for "Stevens" . He likes em a lot and has posted a lot here about them. It's a John Moses Browning design. It's on my "list" of guns to own.

 

[earlthegoat2]

My main gripe with these guns is that they are nearly impossible to find in 20 gauge.

 

[chas08]

My main gripe with these guns is that they are nearly impossible to find in 20 gauge.

I've never seen one in 20, I've only seen a couple in 12 that were so rough, I wouldn't have considered them at any price.

I have a fondness for the 16. I own the models 12,31, & 37 in 16. This will be a nice addition. I would have prefered it to have been a modified choke like the others instead of full. But it was too clean to pass on.

I'd rate it a solid 85% in both wood and blue. The screw heads are near perfect too. I took it down and used a whole can of gun scrubber on its internals then coated it with Remoil. It's suprisingly smooth.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have never seen one in 20 either.

Oddly though, I have found a barrel that I believe is for one. I dont really know though.