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gunman100

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
What can be done to allow a Stevens 311A 12ga to open farther. It's an older gun in great shape with one annoying problem......the barrels almost don't open far enough to put shells in or get them out. You really have to force them open far enough. Can this be easily fixed?
Thanks,
Don
 
I currently own 4 311 types. One in each ga.
All are the same as you describe.
Minor design flaw?
 
My Uggie is the same way. Perhaps it is in fact a feature; if you carried broken open in the field, shells would not be as likely to slip out?
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
Yeah, I also have an early 311 that my Father in law gave me years ago that acts the same way. I was just hoping there was a way to correct it but I guess I'll just have to live with it the way it is. Don't want to file or dremmel something and ruin the gun.
For an old, cheap side by side, they're a nice field gun at a decent price. Would like to ick one up in 410 for my Dad (he's always wanted one) but at the prices I see them going for, I just can't bring myself to do it.
Thanks for the replies.
Don
 
By design isn't the cocking lever from the forearm into the action always in tension with the hammer springs? This causes the action to always want to shut, thereby keeping the action more closed.

My old stevens 5100 which is very similar and has the cocking lever that cocks the hammers always in contact with the hammer springs. So anytime the gun is open it is trying to cock the hammers and that causes the action to want to close by putting resistance back hinge pin.

That is the best way I can describe it. More expensive SxSs are designed to release the tension between the forearm and the hammer springs once the hammers have been cocked. That allows the barrels and forearm to fall freely open once the hammers have been cocked and allows you to have better access to loading and unloading shells.
 
I shoot two 12 gauge 311-H models, and have never had this problem. Does anyone know what's going on here? Do you guys grease the barrel pivot area? I do, and it's the only thing I can think of that might cause this.
 
I believe it is like Jlnester said, it is overtravel needed to ensure the springs are compressed well past cocked position before coming back to rest on the sears. If the cocking action didn't go beyond that latch point, with a little wear then the sears maybe be only precariously engaged.
 
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