Stevens 320 or asi?

[simonstough]

Im thinking about buying a cheap "knockaround" shotgun as i dont have a shotgun in my collection. I know the stevens 320 is a decent firearm, my wife has a friend with one. I found asi shotguns from turkey at buds im curiois if anyone has any real experience with them? Another alternative is the rock island m5 though i kind of want the pistol gripped full stock.

 

[MCgunner]

I'm not real up on Turkish guns due to the fact that I might need a part some day. I have an old Sarasqueta double that's been out of production for many years. It's a Spanish built gun of decent quality and in 43 years, it's always gone bang, but if anything ever DOES break on it, it's a wall hanger unless I could get a smith to make the part it needed.

I've never been that up on Stevens doubles, handle like a 2x4 plank, but at least you could probably get parts for it through numerich arms. Just something to think about that you might not have considered.

 

[MCgunner]

Oh, damn, that's a 320 Stevens, a pump. i was thinkin' of the 310 double. Anyway, the parts thing still applies IMHO. The Stevens might go out of production, but the parts won't likely as quickly dry up for it.

 

[rule303]

I would look for a used Mossberg 500 or Remington 870. Most guns shops and pawn brokers have several in stock for less than you would pay for a new Chinese or Turkish clone, and there are about a billion different options for stocks, grips, barrels, etc.
If you are set on buying new, check out the Maverick 88. It is a cheaper version of the Mossberg 500, and stocks, barrels, and most other parts are interchangeable. The Rock Island M5 does seem to be a well built clone of the old High Standard. I have seen a few issues with the Stevens, but Savage does warranty them.

 

[simonstough]

I would love a maverick 88, but they dont last around here. Gun shops get a few in and theyre gone after a day or two and none show back up for months. The pawn shops and few used gun places around me have horrible prices too the used route was my first hope because i want an 870, i used to have one it was awesome.

 

[MCgunner]

Several years ago, I picked up a Mossberg 535 at a pawn shop for $170. It was barely used, but someone had cut an inch off the stock and never fitted the recoil pad. I took a the stock off and fitted the recoil pad with a belt sander, then bought a slip on Limb Saver. It's an awesome pump gun. Neat thing with this set up, if I have a bunch of heavy clothing on for a duck shoot, I can slide the Limb Saver off, reduce length of pull by an inch.

I didn't really need that 535, but that particular pawn shop gets a decent pump shotgun now and then. It's in the heart of duck hunting country.

 

[rromeo]

I received a Stevens 320 as a gift. I probably would not have bought one, but it's not a bad gun. This was my first pistol grip shotgun, and I must say that having a grip and the stock is pretty nice.
The big complaint I have is that the slide release is awkward to manipulate. I'm used to Mossberg 500s and those are simple.

 

[mgmorden]

I would look for a used Mossberg 500 or Remington 870.

I'll second that. Both are American made, cheap, available, and so common that you will never have any issue sourcing parts or accessories.

 

[dprice3844444]

simon,check the local gunshows/gunshops for a nice used 870 remington,or if you like doubles,a nice used savage/ springfield 311. parts are still available as well as repair services.either one will work fine,and probably outlast you.