1949 Savage side by side. Is it worth this $$?

[BOISE BADWOLF]

Worth it? What would ya say is a fair price? I have been looking for a good side by side double barrel. Looks like the butt stock don't match. Heres the add...
Savage Model 311 SxS double barrel 12 ga shotgun, 1949 manufacture, in good used condition. Classic double barrel shotgun. On Sale Price: $459.99

 

[BOISE BADWOLF]

Anyone?

 

[entropy]

In normal times it would be a $250 gun. These are not normal times; If if it's not an auction, I'd offer $375, top out at $400. Any higher and you are getting near this:

https://cz-usa.com/product/cz-bobwhite-g2/

The Savage is a 2x4 compared to the Cz Bobwhite. I've owned 2 311's, but I didn't pay that price for the two of them. I've held Bobwhites, (really like the 20 ga.) really nice upland game gun.

 

[jmr40]

I've had a couple of 311's over the years. I wouldn't want another. They were cheap budget guns made to last a lifetime for the guy who shoots a couple of boxes of ammo a year. Most are pretty used up by now.

 

[Gordon]

Try to find an Ithaca/ Western "Long range gun " , if you want 12ga they are usually $400 or less on Gunbroker and quite common and twice the gun mechanically the Savage 311 ever was . They are built like tanks but not clunky and made pre WW2 so excellent build quality . Ones in 20 gauge are superb , but worth $500-700 .
https://www.gunauction.com/buy/12670641

 

[Cvans]

Make sure the locking lever is to the right of center when the barrels are closed. If it is to the left of center it has seen a lot of use (wear) and should be avoided. Otherwise they are a good functional guns. I'd say $350 to $400 max.

 

[BOISE BADWOLF]

I've had a couple of 311's over the years. I wouldn't want another. They were cheap budget guns made to last a lifetime for the guy who shoots a couple of boxes of ammo a year. Most are pretty used up by now.

Good to know. Thank you

 

[BOISE BADWOLF]

Make sure the locking lever is to the right of center when the barrels are closed. If it is to the left of center it has seen a lot of use (wear) and should be avoided. Otherwise they are a good functional guns. I'd say $350 to $400 max.

I'll remember that, thank you.

 

[Oldschool shooter]

I bought it's cousin, a Stevens 5100 last year. In all fairness, it is a 16 gauge, and here in Michigan, finding anything aside from slugs, 00 Buck or #5 shot in 16 is like finding hens teeth. It is a good utility shotgun, showed normal signs of use on the outside, but locks up like a vault and the bores are shiny and look like new. Because it was a 16 I bought it from an LGS for $95.

 

[BOISE BADWOLF]

Make sure the locking lever is to the right of center when the barrels are closed. If it is to the left of center it has seen a lot of use (wear) and should be avoided. Otherwise they are a good functional guns. I'd say $350 to $400 max.

I'll look for that, thanks

 

[rsnell]

$150 tops!

 

[huntsman]

I was never a fan of the Savage/ Stevens guns,

When it came to a “hardware” guns first choice was Fulton and next nitro special.

To me OP gun is still a $150. Gun regardless of the times.

 

[Howland937]

I completely disagree with the $150 assessments, when an H&R Topper single shot is bringing that kinda money...and not from panic pricing.

If a SxS is your desire, the 311 isn't a terrible option for an entry level type if you can get it somewhere near $300. It'll never be a high end, highly collectable shotgun but for beating the brush it'll do just fine.

 

[eastbank]

as a youth i owned several, but because of my limited income they were just about wore out and were barrel to frame loose. i solved the problem for a while by taking a hammer to the top barrel tang and tapping it down to tighten up the reciever to barrel fit.

 

[Speedo66]

I have to wonder where the posters live that feel it's a $150 gun.

Try and find any working modern era SxS for that price and I think you're going to come up short.

A Savage/Stevens/Springfield SxS is nothing fancy, but people bought literally millions of them over the years because it was a solid reliable shotgun. In good shape it's certainly more than a $150 gun today.

 

[1eyeedshooter]

Well i would pay 250--350 for it if it was in good shape, had one years ago that served me well, we went on many a fun hunt together !!!

 

[Mosin77]

The 12ga is a heavy beast and the 20 is lighter, but said to be a lot less robust mechanically. The 16ga is the sweet spot with these. The 12s routinely bring $250-375 on Gunbroker (maybe more this year… nothing surprises me anymore) with a premium for the other gauges and a big premium for 410.

I like my 16ga a lot but I’d be hard pressed to recommend the 12, only because they don’t really have the handling qualities that make a double worthwhile.

 

[Roverguy]

Pass. @entropy said it well in post #3

For similar money, a much nicer but robust Merkel Model 8, for example at Simpsons:

https://simpsonltd.com/merkel-8-z49089/

And some others as well. I’m not a huge fan of the Husqvarna guns as they do not fit me well at all, but they are better guns than the Savage 311 series or similar Stevens guns.