If it's a 311R it's a somewhat rare bird. worse problem I had when I was collecting 311's was bad springs. If they'll let you, take a couple of new snap caps with you and run one in each barrel, the indents will give you some idea of how the springs and pins are doing. I've replaced the springs in one, I'm pretty sure that's what they make you do in hell.

 

Try to get a model number or name. I doubt very much Stevens made any coach guns. All their's had barrel lengths of 28 or more inches.

 

The 311R was made for law enforcement and came from the plant with 18 inch barrels. Most agencies had already adopted the pump gun by that time. However, a ton of 311's have been pruned back, especially by CAS. Terrible thing.

 

Be sure to use snap caps to test the M311R, as Ned suggested. The M311 is one of the guns that will break firing pins by dry firing. Been there and have done it.

Bye the way, the M311R will have cylinder choked barrels and they will measure 18 1/4 inches. They have 3 " chambers and weigh 6 3/4 pounds. This gun is rather rare and was discontinued in 1989 and sold out by 1991.

 

So the gun turned out to be a Stevens 311E cut down to 20 inches. The shop owner argued with me for quite a while telling me that it hadn't been cut. Though, in his defense, someone did a pretty good job cutting it and re-affixing the bead sight. He was also puzzled and fascinated by the snap caps that I brought in. By the time I left, I think he had talked himself into getting snaps caps in several popular calibers for his shop.

Anyway, I got the gun for $250. How'd I do? Please say not too bad.

Haven't been able to find any type of lookup that will give me an idea of the gun's age. Anybody know of anything?

Thanks.

--Bo

 

I think you probably did fine. Last similar model I saw was a cutdown, although well done. Guy had more than $300 on the hang tag and the gun was only in so-so condition. That's only a sample size of two between us, but $300 seems to be the initial asking price on these.

 

I had a Stevens 5100 (the same gun as the 311) with 28" barrels that I paid $300 for in decent condition.

You should be able to tell the age by looking (if I remember correctly) just beyond the barrel hinge, there should be a letter. A is 1949, B is 1950 and so on....

 

Asking price when I walked in the door was $499.99, but this particular pawn shop always has outrageous starting prices.

 

Asking price when I walked in the door was $499.99, but this particular pawn shop always has outrageous starting prices.

Wow!!! I've never seen a 12ga 311 for over $350. The .410s can go into the 700s, I have seen.

 

Forgot to mention...I have photos

 

I can give you some info about the age.....it has a serial number so it's AFTER 1968!

That's a nice lookin' gun.

 

Nice distance between them barrels! That sucker has definitely been cut.