Old J. Stevens SxS- safe for modern "light loads"?

[GJgo]

So I've inherited this old J. Stevens side by side 12ga model 5100, from what I can tell manufactured sometime in the 30s. A little Googling came up with "be careful as it may have a barrel made of low quality steel". It still locks up tight, but the bluing is all but gone. Anyone familiar with these?

I've got other shotguns I can hunt with, I suppose the best thing for this one would be for shooting blanks to keep the critters out of the garden. I imagine it'd be safe for that. I have seen "light loads" at the store, maybe these are safe?

 

[r6j6b]

I have one a 5100 w/a tenite splinter fore end and replacement walnut buttstock. Some(most) were prone to splitting at the wrist so that 'splains it.
It's been used with nothing but modern smokeless loads - I stay away from the 2 3/4" "heavy" loads, but most other smokeless rounds should be safe. If in doubt have a smith check it out *Do not use steel shot in it though*

edit: btw the 5100 is the 311 Savage w/a different length stock tang. iirc the ejector plunger is a different length also. Most other parts are otherwise the same.

 

[oneounceload]

Look at low-pressure loads from Polywad or RST - not cheap, but you're not using this for thousands of rounds per year

 

[RandKL]

A 30's gun is absolutely fine for any modern loads within the correct chamber length. There was no such thing as "low quality steel". The 5100 is a good gun.

r

 

[rcmodel]

I agree.
By 1930 we had pretty much figured out how to make shotguns.
And 1930 ammo was just like todays ammo pressure-wise.

If the chamber length checks out, you can shoot any modern ammo in it you can stand, except steel shot loads.

rc

 

[GJgo]

Thanks all. It is a 2 3/4" chamber. Did the dime test today & it looks like a full / mod combo.

What I had read regarding poor steel was about damascus & laminated steel barrels, however these articles didn't really get specific about timelines.

Along with the gun I found a box of brass shotshells, that was a cool find.