Contemplating a bang-around shotty for trips to the farm getting firewood, ya never know when a tasty morsel may present itself (or the odd bear/cougar). Anyways, Big 5 has a Stevens combo 12 Ga on sale. Synth stock, 18 1/4 and 28 inch barrels. Anyone have a new Stevens and/or opinions on 'em?
New Stevens Shotgun?
- Thread starter RaceM
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My first thought here is recommend you stick with US shotguns. We make them pretty darn good here with the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500 guns.
That is no reflection on the particular imported gun you are looking at, but as I sit here, I am reminded of just what can, and does, happen with some of these guns. Even names like Beretta, and Benelli have an issue regarding parts available.
As I sit here ,there is a Charles Daly about a couple feet away that is incapacitated with the lack of a bolt handle. There are absolutely none to be found within a year of them going under.
Your might save a few bucks on the front end, but I can't recommend buying the cheap imports over US guns.
That is no reflection on the particular imported gun you are looking at, but as I sit here, I am reminded of just what can, and does, happen with some of these guns. Even names like Beretta, and Benelli have an issue regarding parts available.
As I sit here ,there is a Charles Daly about a couple feet away that is incapacitated with the lack of a bolt handle. There are absolutely none to be found within a year of them going under.
Your might save a few bucks on the front end, but I can't recommend buying the cheap imports over US guns.
Ayup, that's why I was asking. Odds are good I'll find a banged up 870 or Mossy while I'm looking around. Money wasn't really the issue, only a choice between a cheap NIB or something I know will get the job done.
As an aside, parts don't worry me none. I've resurrected more than one antique with parts I made myself. About the only thing I can't do is barrels.
Thanx for the input!
As an aside, parts don't worry me none. I've resurrected more than one antique with parts I made myself. About the only thing I can't do is barrels.
Thanx for the input!
That does help a bunch. I'll be making that bolt handle as well.
I had just read in another thread about a Winchester Model 12 with shortened barrel for $200 . Particularly in todays economy it realy isn't that hard to find a quality shotgun for $200 or less . I think the Stevens is the Chinese copy of the Ithaca 37. It could be an OK gun ? I have just been turned off of late by the struggle to get parts for these off shore guns.
Looks like I'll be haunting the pawnshops again. Last go I found an 835 Mossy for $200 and have been quite happy with it. /////
Updated: An evil black shotgun followed me home. 870 express 12 GA bird blaster with 28" vent rib. Problem solved for $189 OTD.
Updated: An evil black shotgun followed me home. 870 express 12 GA bird blaster with 28" vent rib. Problem solved for $189 OTD.
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RX-178
Member
The only shotgun I can think of that you might be talking about is the Stevens 350, in which case, mnrivrat is right, it's a Chinese made copy of the Ithaca 37.
I haven't seen these things in person, but they're basically the same logic as a Maverick 88 or a NEF Pardner Pump. Foreign made copies of a US designed gun, at lower prices.
I know lots of parts are interchangable between the Maverick and the Mossberg, as well as between the Pardner Pump and the 870, but I DON'T know for sure how many, if any parts are interchangable between the 350 and the Ithaca 37, which is my only serious concern about this model.
Of course, you could just almost steal an 870 and render this whole thing moot.
I haven't seen these things in person, but they're basically the same logic as a Maverick 88 or a NEF Pardner Pump. Foreign made copies of a US designed gun, at lower prices.
I know lots of parts are interchangable between the Maverick and the Mossberg, as well as between the Pardner Pump and the 870, but I DON'T know for sure how many, if any parts are interchangable between the 350 and the Ithaca 37, which is my only serious concern about this model.
Of course, you could just almost steal an 870 and render this whole thing moot.
chas08
Member
I have, at a gun show. And thouugh I couldnt have told you who made them, my first thought at the time was; What a POS compared to my "real" Ithaca 37's.
Thanx guys, I kinda had a feeling it was gonna be a knock-off if something since I hadn't so much as heard of Stevens guns in a long while. When an old name gets resurrected I get suspicious.
In the same pawnshop there was a New England 12 GA, obviously well used since the bluing was mostly gone. At $149 it would have been a good choice for a beater/truck gun but I passed because I'm not familiar with the brand and the Remmy was just too good.
In the same pawnshop there was a New England 12 GA, obviously well used since the bluing was mostly gone. At $149 it would have been a good choice for a beater/truck gun but I passed because I'm not familiar with the brand and the Remmy was just too good.
RX-178
Member
The NEF Pardner Pump is to the Remington 870 what the Stevens 350 is to the Ithaca 37.
Chinese made knockoff of the original design. I'd have passed on it at that price since you can get them factory new for $200 or less, but other than that I recommend them highly for their price point. I don't know if they're any BETTER than the Remington 870 express models, but I know for a fact they aren't any worse.
I did an overview of it on my show.
http://altac6.blip.tv/file/4878027/
Chinese made knockoff of the original design. I'd have passed on it at that price since you can get them factory new for $200 or less, but other than that I recommend them highly for their price point. I don't know if they're any BETTER than the Remington 870 express models, but I know for a fact they aren't any worse.
I did an overview of it on my show.
http://altac6.blip.tv/file/4878027/
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