Savage 311

M

Murrdock

New member
I have the chance to buy a Savage/Stevens model 311 SxS.

I've wanted a double barrel for quite some time now and it's exactly what I want.

It's been used, it's not very pretty so I won't care about taking it out through the swamp deer/partridge/turkey hunting, it's a 12 Ga., and I should get it for under $250.

Is there anything specific I should look for that these guns have had problems with? Also, the stock has most of the varnish wore off, but the metal good with no pitting, is about $250 a good deal or should I offer less?

Thanks in advance.
 
Those were budget guns designed to last a hunter who shot a box or 2 of ammo a year a lifetime. Many of them have just about used up that lifetime. I've had a couple. Both had issues but were OK for occasional light duty use.
 
They're good guns, inexpensive but not cheap. They will last several lifetimes. Just make sure the barrels aren't loose. I've never seen a 311 with loose barrels but it's a good idea to check them on any older double. The stocks are bad about cracking where it joins the receiver because the wood is so thin there so look that over real good. New stocks are available at Numrich so don't let a bad stock prevent you from getting it. 250 isn't a bad price. I wouldn't take that for mine but I'd try to get it for 200 if it was me.
 
keep scouring the websites...

especially GunBroker. They always have a number of them and many in good condition. A 12 or 20 can be found at reasonable prices, but not the 410 which goes for an extremely high premium.

Here's my 50's vintage 311 with the 5100 action and nice black walnut furniture!

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BTW, I'll be taking the 311 out and shooting it at a faux Vintage Cup event at one of the local clubs I belong to. Should be fun!! :)
 
there are no records to prove that...

at least that is what I was told in a phone conversation with Savage Arms...
 
$250 seems on the low side for current pricing but it sounds like the one you're looking at is pretty well used. I'd shoot low and see if it flies. If they'll let you run a pair of snap caps in it to make sure the firing pins are making good contact it might save you alot of trouble. You do not want to have to replace springs or pins in one of these. The oldest of mine has thousands upon thousands of rounds thru it and still runs like a top. Admittedly I did have to replace the springs and pins a few years back.
 
Great utility, no frills side by side. I had a 16 Ga. Stevens 311 as one of my first guns when I was a kid. I wish I had it now. Getting rid of it years ago is one of the things that led to my rule #1 below!!!
 
Hehehe, I guess not. I'd love to think the 5100 action guns were iced in 48. That's the year I pooped up!! ;)
 
Take it for what it's worth, they were. The 5100 was dropped in 48 and was morphed into the 311 in 49. There were a few early 311 receivers marked with both 311 and 5100. I have a 5100 and have done a lot of online research and that's been my findings. I haven't found any reports of a 5100 with a date code which wasn't used until 49. If yours has a date code it will blow me out of the water. I'm betting it doesn't.
 
thanks Hawg...

that's very good information. The guy I talked with at Savage was a bit of a pea brain! Here's are the markings on my gun... :confused:

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If it had a date code it would be a number and a letter in an oval on the bottom of the receiver right behind the hinge.
 
I'm talking about the underside of the gun not the water table when it's opened up. Here's the one on my 311A made in 57.

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As someone who has the 311 more upscale cousin - the Savage/Fox BSE - I can say that for the same money, there are better choices out there - having seen the insides which are poor, the triggers which are gritty and creepy, and the balance which is the same as a pig on a shovel - the Savage/Fox/Stevens guns are crude and really not worth the trouble
 
having seen the insides which are poor, the triggers which are gritty and creepy, and the balance which is the same as a pig on a shovel -
Click to expand...

I haven't seen that with any of mine. They're not L.C. Smith's by any means but they're not trash either.
 
For $250-350 I'd like to know what better choices there are. Been swinging my pig on a shovel for about 30 years now so I can hit more than miss with it. I keep buying other scatter guns but end up gong back to the 311.
 
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