I am thinking hard about a Stevens 301

[bernie]

I think it would be nice to have one of the Stevens 301's in 20 gauge. I could put a red dot on it because my eyes are not what they used to be, and screw in choke tubes are a plus! I think it would make a dandy little squirrel getter. If any of you guys have one, please let me know what you think about it.

 

[Blue Brick]

Used H&R would be a great option.

 

[Roverguy]

I’m a big H&R fan. But they’re gone and at $200 with Savage customer service, I think the 301 is a good call. There’s something about a break action single.

 

[kje54]

I’m a big H&R fan. But they’re gone and at $200 with Savage customer service, I think the 301 is a good call. There’s something about a break action single.

More like at $135 unless you're including shipping, taxes and transfer fee in that $200.

 

[Micro]

Made in China, but nice guns nonetheless. I've had the opportunity to handle a few in various gauges and was inclined to buy one myself, but I have some H&Rs. Otherwise, I think they are great alternatives.

 

[bernie]

Used H&R's do not generally have a rail on them that I could mount a red dot on. That has me leaning toward the Stevens right now.

 

[Cvans]

I've put quite a few rounds through my 301 and still like it a lot. I only shoot low base shells so I can't comment on magnum usage. If I had to do it again I would and would not hesitate purchasing one for a family member.
I did have one thing happen. The hammer and the break action button are right next to each other. I inadvertently pushed the button instead of pulling back the hammer. The gun only started to open and I shut it again but must not have got it latched all the way. Then pulled back the hammer and after firing the gun opened on it's own and ejected the spent cartridge. No damage done and the gun works fine. So you want to make sure your thumb is in the correct place before doing anything.
For a single shot the recoil seems exceptionally nice.

 

[I6turbo]

I have practically a fettish for guns that are pleasant to operate and feel like they were built with quality and craftsmanship -- smooth bolts, smooth slides and D/A actions in handguns, smooth actions on pump guns, nice triggers, properly weighted safeties, mag releases, or other controls, etc., etc. No offense to anyone who loves them, but the Stevens and H&R single shots have that stamped steel action release beside the hammer that has always turned me off and drove me toward the single shots that use the conventional tang-mounted action release lever.

Here's the point of this post: If I had a machine shop or a CNC machine, I think I'd start making replacement action release levers for these HR/Stevens guns. Ideally in my mind, it'd be something machined or forged in the style of the gun, but with a flat, knurled surface instead of the crude stamped-and-bent piece of sharp-cornered metal. I'd offer them on e-bay, then wait to see if I turned out to be the only person with this peeve.

Below are a couple of examples (these are AR extended mag releases). The looks of these isn't right aesthetically for the HR/301, but you can see what I'm getting at.

 

[Barbaroja]

I bought one when I was working in VT for a summer and wanted a cheap squirrel hunting gun.the screw in chokes was a huge plus for me. I got a full choke for it , it uses the mossberg thread pattern if I recall correctly. Killed a pile of squirrels with it. The safety is useless and I just never used it. I would still have it but I was flying home and it was easier just to sell it off to a buddy.

That said I personally would hit a few pawn shops first and see about an H&R or NEF single shot as they are superior in my experience.

 

[Blue Brick]

Used H&R's do not generally have a rail on them that I could mount a red dot on. That has me leaning toward the Stevens right now.

Understood.

 

[Plano11]

I also have a Stevens 301 in 12ga and HATED the damn ejector. Popped the ejector spring hold-down pin, dragged out the massive ejector spring and replaced it with an S&W revolver hammer spring I had in the parts bin drawer. Ah, the little popper is extracting real good now.