Should I cut down my Stevens 311 SxS?

[Seattle206]

I have an old Stevens 311 12GA SxS with I believe is a 30" barrel. I rarely shoot this thing, its long and heavy, has slight pitting and sits collecting dust. I am thinking about 'revamping' its look but having a professional cut down the barrel to 18.5" and tap in new bead sight. Then I would proceed and refinish the wood. How does that sound? Anybody else cut down their SxS's? Pictures would help

Here it is now:

 

[Sav .250]

If you did exactly what you`ve said ,you would end up with a lighter, nicer looking Steven`s 311 12ga SXS.... "stove pipe." No choke.

 

[Old Unc']

a waste of an American classic IMHO...

 

[RaceM]

I rebuilt a 100+ year old Belgian double (10 GA) with damascus tubes into a 20GA coach gun. Looks good, and shoots better!

 

[451 Detonics]

No reason not to if you don't use as it is now. I would also add a buttpad, with 18 1/2 inch barrels that gun will have a healthy kick.

 

[chas08]

My personal preference would be 20 inches. But hey, go for it and turn it into something you will play with. If it were a 16 or 20 ga I'd say No,No,No!!!! But a 12ga? why not???

 

[45Fan]

If thats what will make you happy, sure, go for it.
If it were mine, I wouldnt touch it. If you just didnt like it, see about selling it, or trading it in on a new coach gun that does it for you.
I can understand not likeing the longer barrels, but the price i see on even the roughest no-name doubles in the worst condition tells me there is a large demand for them. You could likely trade and end up with a new coach gun and some cash if you found the right dealer.

 

[KodiakBeer]

A Stevens double in reasonable shape should fetch around $500.

So... why not sell it, buy the Norinco coach gun in the link below and pocket the $250 profit? You get your coach gun and an extra $250. Somebody who values an old American double gets your Stevens. Everybody's happy!

http://www.classicarms.us/

 

[451 Detonics]

A Stevens double in reasonable shape should fetch around $500.

There are nice 311's priced at half that on gunbroker not getting bids...I can't see any 311 bringing $500 today but I guess you never know.

 

[BHP FAN]

Around here that would fetch $300.00, so why not?

 

[45Fan]

Half of $500 dollars + the cost of having a professional cut and finish the barrel, add the labor of refinishing the wood, and you would break even at best. I actually was looking at a Stoger coach earlier today that was $250, and I think the hammerless was $350.
I just have to agree with kodiakbeer, it would be a shame to cut the barrel on one when the alternatives would be just as expensive at worst, and put that longer barreled shotgun in someones rack that will use it as is.

 

[oneounceload]

Better to sell it as is to someone looking for the longer barrel version and b uy something even cheaper to chop down - JMO

 

[Seattle206]

wow, decisions...decisions...I know for sure I cannot sell or trade it for sentimental reasons but I would hate to have it sit there and not be used. Maybe I should take up upland bird hunting to make use out of it. One thing for sure is I will refinish the wood.

 

[45Fan]

That sounds like a really good excuse to pick up a new sport. The coach guns can be had reasonable if you are patient and shop around, no reason you cant have two.

 

[chas08]

Maybe I should take up upland bird hunting to make use out of it. One thing for sure is I will refinish the wood.

I know I'll probably get hammered for this but.... A Stevens 311 in 12ga with 30" bbls handles like a corner post. It wouldn't be my first choice in an upland gun. Now a 16 or 20 would be a different story. I do agree with keeping it if it has sentimental value. Also keep in mind that cutting a SxS can mess up the barrel regulation. Probably not a big concern for a close range milk-jug killer.

 

[Armored farmer]

Initially I would say no, get an 870 with 2.5X capacity and a short barrel, however, If you have sentimental attachments... then by all means cut it down into something useful.
It will never be a good trap; skeet; sporting clays gun. Too much gun for quail over dogs. Not a good slug gun. OK for turkey; waterfowl.
Cut it down, it'll serve a purpose for you then.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

The local grouse population was very disappointed when I shortened mine to 24".

Now it's my SAS shotgun.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Read the old thread here on "Building a Lupara" about my altering a Savage/Stevens 311 (Marked Ranger) 12 gauge to a Sicilian Equalizer.

Note, the cousin who now has it is using it for rabbit hunting and a little skeet.

Were I doing it now, I'd leave the barrels at 26" or so OR have Briley,etc, backbore some weight out of those pipes. Either tube chokes or a solid choke redo and learn to live with the weight of at least 7 lbs.

And since the 311 is not made any more, I'd have a good smith install a new set of springs and firing pins and keep the old ones as spares.

To the OP, yours looks to be in great shape. While I might consider chopping a beater, in your shoes I'd leave this one alone and find a reason to shoot it.......

 

[evan price]

Some of the Stevens had stocks made of plastic. Can't tell yours right away on the small picture.

The Stevens is pretty common. If you aren't using it right now, maybe list it on Gunbroker and see if you get a bite at a good price. If not, modify it to suit your wishes.

I've got a Fulton by LC Smith 12-ga double that I chopped to 18.25", new brass bead, refinished the wood, went through the internals and refurbished the action. Locks up tight as a drum, a great handling, fun blaster with a real classic appearance. The gun as it had been was an unsafe (dangerous, even) beater gun with dented barrels on its way to being turned into a wall hanger permanantly before I got ahold of it and decided to do something with it. Now it's a great range toy, good for clay rabbits, and awesome for burglar deterrance. I only shoot light target loads in it since the old stocks were so thin I don't want to crack it. But it is a hoot!

 

[greyeyezz]

I chopped mine because the barrels warped during hot bluing. Its a handy 16GA house gun now.

 

[Grandthumb]

I have a Model 311A and I'm currently looking for a Gunsmith in the Houston area to modify it for CAS. It's an old family gun and I look forward to having a reason to use it regularly.

For those that have cut them down for CAS, did you do the spring replacements yourself (if that was part of the transformation) or is a Gunsmith required?

 

[J-Bar]

I have chopped a Win.97 and a SKB 200, both of which are booked at more than a 311, and never regretted it. Hacksaw, file, carpenter's square, and fine sandpaper are all you need to do a good job. Fill the barrel gap with J B Weld, re-install the bead with same, and enjoy your circumcised shotgun!!

 

[husker]

Looks way to nice to chop up. It looks like a nice reason to get into goose hunting.

 

[madmike]

Someone had already butchered the stock, and I have a nice ejector double, so I cut it, trued it, and soldered it. I need to remount the bead and blue it.

 

[Chevelle SS]

I would keep it and buy a new coach gun, a Stoeger or a norinco, or try and find a used one