Stevens 311A Price Check

[honkeoki]

Hi, all --

Doing my rounds of the local pawn shops, I found a Stevens 311A 12 gauge in fair-good condition. The stock had a hairline crack and most of the blueing was worn off the barrels, but the inside of the barrels were clean and it seemed pretty much like a well-used but not abused shotgun.

The pricetag was $190.

Here in Fort Lauderdale, prices on handguns are always ridiculous (like $695 for a used Glock 23) but it's occasionally possible to find good deals on long guns and shotguns. Is this a good buy?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[CraigJS]

Not sure of your price check but you can get parts here: (including a new stock) http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=089Zz311A

Be safe.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Buy it, after doing a ring test.

Ring Test. Remove the barrels from the receiver and forearm. Hang them off a finger or string loop and tap them with a pencil. You should hear a clear note. If it thuds or buzzes, skip it.

HTH....

 

[Okiecruffler]

I'd be on it like a duck on a junebug and I don't even need another 12ga.

 

[honkeoki]

Thanks, guys --

I don't know how to take it apart to do the ring test as Dave suggested. No one at the pawn shop knew, either (no surprise there).

So I went ahead and bought it. I'm in the 5-day trial period right now. Can anyone direct me to an online guide for taking the shotgun apart so I can do the ring test?

Thanks again!

 

[Superreverb]

Very easy to take apart.

1) Put your index finger in the recess at the front of the fore-end and pull the fore end down and off (it's under a bit of spring tension but should come right off).

2) Push opening lever to the right and open the action. Swing the barrels completely down and carefully lift them away from the frame.

Voila!

Regards - Ed

 

[honkeoki]

Holy smokes -- that was easy! And I have to say I'm about the most non-mechanically-inclined person I know.

I removed the barrels and did the ring test per Mr. McCracken -- both barrels ring like chimes. I'm going to Markham Park skeet range this morning to try her out. I'll post a range report afterward.

Thanks again, gentlemen, for all your help!

 

[Dave McCracken]

"Ring like chimes"....

Enjoy!!

 

[honkeoki]

I went trap shooting for the first time today -- a very educational (and humbling experience). Here's what I learned:

1. Shotguns don't aim like rifles.

2. If you try to break open the action by pulling down on the forend too enthusiastically, it will come off and land in the mud at your feet leaving you standing there with a forend in one hand and a receiver in the other, looking like a moron.

3. If you don't keep your cheek welded to the stock you'll come home with a big swelling under your cheekbone and your wife will laugh before giving you an icepack.

I shot a 10 and an 11 -- according to the RO a beginner typically shoots an 8. So I'm just a bit ahead of the curve.

Did I mention I had a FANTASTIC time? I should've -- the only thing bigger than the lump on my face was my grin. I should've started shotgunning YEARS ago.

Thanks again, gentlemen, for all your help!

 

[SASS#23149]

Hey, a good time at the range is always a GOOD thing.!
the shotgun should open with jus the weight of the barrels doing all of the work...no pulling required.If pulling is required,something is amiss.
Definately NOT like rifle shooting..more like point and click than align sights,aim,hold breath,squeeeze trigge.You do that and the bird will be on he gournd before the gun goes off.

Now,get back out there and go for a 15+.!!

 

[Okiecruffler]

First time out with a SXS, a 10/11 is pretty well ahead of the curve. While I love them dearly, the SXS is not a very beginner friendly gun. Still, once you get the hang of it I don't think any action swings as smoothly.

 

[Dave McCracken]

It IS different. Be safe, have fun and watch those scores move up....