Springfield by J. Stevens 311 16ga

[ReadyontheRight]

I have my eye on a 311 in 16 ga. I've been wanting a 16 ga for a while. It's a J. Stevens that also says "Springfield" on it (not Springfield, Mass., but more like the brand name) and it's going for $289. Double triggers and the stock is plain but in good shape. The plastic buttplate says "Savage" in it.

I put it on hold to print out the SxS checkout from here at THR. Any other things to check and does this seem like a good price for a 16 ga 311?

Also -- Any idea on how old it might be?

Thanks!

 

[Dave McCracken]

I'm no 311 expert, but a sound Savage/Stevens in good shape for less than $300 sounds like a good deal but not a great one. Do check the barrels for the ring as suggested before.

Okiecruffler, where are you?....

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I'm doing the ring test tomorrow.

Thanks Dave! I'm a rifle guy at heart, but I run over here to the shotgun forum here periodically and I'm always impressed. Especially by posts like Shotgun Manners 101 and TFL - A Walk in the Woods from the old TFL.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Awww....

Thanks, and please stop by more often...

 

[Echo23TC]

My Springfield 5100 16ga. works just fine. Took a few pheasants with it this last season, I just don't think I'll ever need a different field gun. I did get rid of the plastic and replaced it with some semi-fancy walnut from Wenig gunstocks.

Cricket likes mine so much that when she found a 12 gauge model languishing in the used rack at the local sporting goods emporium, she bought it for herself. I'll try to take some pics tonight if I remember.

 

[Okiecruffler]

The only thing I can possibly add to the ring test (could have saved some money if I had known about that one a few years ago) is to take a couple of new brass "primed" snap caps with you. I always test to make sure that the firing pins are hitting good and hard before I put money on one. Alot of these guns sat in corners with springs back for a long time, and from what I understand the springs weren't that great to begin with. If it checks out, I'm sure you'll be happy with it. The 311 is a great American double from when "Made in America" meant "Made in America", not "Assembled in America", or "Packaged in America", or...well you get my point. One of these days I plan on having enough of them to publish a coffee table book, or at least a calender.