Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? - The Firearms Forum

chhcope · 06-28-2011, 08:51 PM

I just bought this 311 20 gauge for $350, I got a hard shell case, the shotgun and about 200 shells. I was told it was pre WW2 but with the limited research I have done that doesn't add up. I am thinking it was made in 1949. Please let me know what you think.

It seems the shotgun has had some custom work done, notice the chokes and the rubber stock end. Pics to follow...

chhcope · 06-28-2011, 08:57 PM

A few more pics...

chhcope · 06-28-2011, 08:59 PM

Last ones I promise...

goofy · 06-29-2011, 05:43 AM

Goodmorning chhcope and welcome to TFF. Well to start yes your shotgun was made between 1949-1989.It looks in very good cond. almost to good to be a earlyer mod. but you never know. It's value is dependent on the market is 100%-$275,down to 60%-$130.Befor the Late 1940s the markings would be marked J.Stevens Arms CO They changed to just stevens in the late 1940s.You can add 20% because it is a 20ga.Looks like you paid (with the case and ammo) exactly what it is worth............GOOFY

Hawg · 06-29-2011, 06:11 AM

The 8H on the bottom of the receiver is the date code. It was made in 1956. The forearm has been replaced, recoil pad and screw in chokes added but since there's no collector interest no harm done. Yeah you paid about what it's all worth.

micromontenegro · 06-29-2011, 06:58 AM

Date codes started in 1949 with A. As Hawg said, H means 1956. Not a collector's item, but a good, strong, if somewhat heavy SxS.

Jim Hauff · 06-29-2011, 08:24 AM

Nice strong, well built but simple, reliable as a laxative - what more could you ask for?
The 20 ga is desireable and in my humble opinion - the screw in choke tubes adds VALUE to that gun. I've been considering having threads installed in my 18.5" shorty. I'm thinking you got it for a good price.

chhcope · 06-29-2011, 09:25 AM

Thanks for all the input! This is actually the first shotgun I have ever purchased. I have shot it since I was a kid and had the opportunity to purchase it recently. I'm glad it is a nice gun. Now I just need to get an over and under to diversify my shotgun collection!!! Any suggestions? Thanks Again!

Jim Hauff · 06-29-2011, 09:34 AM

chhcope,
Suggestions will depend upon the range you are willing to pay for one. There are quite a few O/Us ranging in price from $400 to a "few" thousands NIB. As to used guns, again the price range is relevant. Also, your intended use (high volume target shooting vs hunting vs occasional range uses will help in making suggestions.

chhcope · 06-29-2011, 09:54 AM

I will occasionally hunt, target shoot more than anything, but mainly on weekends. I would like to keep the price around the lower part of that estimate. I would look for something that would be comparable to this shotgun in quality. An economy shotgun, that's fun to shoot. I am young, I don't need to be buying really expensive guns yet. But I do want to learn about them and have quality firearms.

jack404 · 06-29-2011, 10:04 AM

may i suggest a Baikal , they are cheap , reliable and parts available , Russian made , I've many friends who have them and again say they are a great bang for buck gun , yes there are better but you'll also pay more for them ,

Buffalochip · 06-29-2011, 11:10 AM

Mirokus are also a lot of gun for the money, if you can find one. Interestingly, they are usually cheaper than the contract guns they build for Browning and Charles Daley.

Jim Hauff · 06-29-2011, 01:19 PM

Check out the current crop of STOEGERS - they are Turkish SxS and O/U made on Italian (Beretta designed and manufactured) tooling/equipment. Bennelli is the distributor (also owned by Beretta.) I know two gents who have recently purchased examples, one SxS in 28 ga. $325 and one O/U in 12 ga $375. Both are well built and sturdy, nice "Circassian/Turkish" Walnut furniture, metal parts fit well, fit to furniture could be a bit better and both were PACKED full of grease, especially the 28 in the firing pin channels - left barrel wouldn't fire - until the crap was blown out. BOTH after cleaning work flawlessly and the prices were RIGHT in your ball park.

chhcope · 06-29-2011, 01:52 PM

Jim, Thanks for the information, I like the sound of the Stoeger. I am going to look into those. They seem like the best fit. The good news is, I can shoot my new SXS with all the shells I have while I save up for a O/U! Thanks again everyone!

06-28-2011, 08:51 PM	#1
chhcope Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6	Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? I just bought this 311 20 gauge for $350, I got a hard shell case, the shotgun and about 200 shells. I was told it was pre WW2 but with the limited research I have done that doesn't add up. I am thinking it was made in 1949. Please let me know what you think. It seems the shotgun has had some custom work done, notice the chokes and the rubber stock end. Pics to follow... Attached Images -->

06-28-2011, 08:57 PM	#2
chhcope Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? A few more pics... Attached Images

06-28-2011, 08:59 PM	#3
chhcope Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? Last ones I promise... Attached Images

06-29-2011, 05:43 AM	#4
goofy Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Contributor Posts: 2,063	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? Goodmorning chhcope and welcome to TFF. Well to start yes your shotgun was made between 1949-1989.It looks in very good cond. almost to good to be a earlyer mod. but you never know. It's value is dependent on the market is 100%-$275,down to 60%-$130.Befor the Late 1940s the markings would be marked J.Stevens Arms CO They changed to just stevens in the late 1940s.You can add 20% because it is a 20ga.Looks like you paid (with the case and ammo) exactly what it is worth............GOOFY

06-29-2011, 06:11 AM	#5
Hawg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,588	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? The 8H on the bottom of the receiver is the date code. It was made in 1956. The forearm has been replaced, recoil pad and screw in chokes added but since there's no collector interest no harm done. Yeah you paid about what it's all worth.

06-29-2011, 06:58 AM	#6
micromontenegro V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 64	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? Date codes started in 1949 with A. As Hawg said, H means 1956. Not a collector's item, but a good, strong, if somewhat heavy SxS.

06-29-2011, 08:24 AM	#7
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? Nice strong, well built but simple, reliable as a laxative - what more could you ask for? The 20 ga is desireable and in my humble opinion - the screw in choke tubes adds VALUE to that gun. I've been considering having threads installed in my 18.5" shorty. I'm thinking you got it for a good price. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

06-29-2011, 09:25 AM	#8
chhcope Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? Thanks for all the input! This is actually the first shotgun I have ever purchased. I have shot it since I was a kid and had the opportunity to purchase it recently. I'm glad it is a nice gun. Now I just need to get an over and under to diversify my shotgun collection!!! Any suggestions? Thanks Again!

06-29-2011, 09:34 AM	#9
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? chhcope, Suggestions will depend upon the range you are willing to pay for one. There are quite a few O/Us ranging in price from $400 to a "few" thousands NIB. As to used guns, again the price range is relevant. Also, your intended use (high volume target shooting vs hunting vs occasional range uses will help in making suggestions. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie

06-29-2011, 09:54 AM	#10
chhcope Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? I will occasionally hunt, target shoot more than anything, but mainly on weekends. I would like to keep the price around the lower part of that estimate. I would look for something that would be comparable to this shotgun in quality. An economy shotgun, that's fun to shoot. I am young, I don't need to be buying really expensive guns yet. But I do want to learn about them and have quality firearms.

06-29-2011, 10:04 AM	#11
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? may i suggest a Baikal , they are cheap , reliable and parts available , Russian made , I've many friends who have them and again say they are a great bang for buck gun , yes there are better but you'll also pay more for them ,

06-29-2011, 11:10 AM	#12
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 766	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? Mirokus are also a lot of gun for the money, if you can find one. Interestingly, they are usually cheaper than the contract guns they build for Browning and Charles Daley.

06-29-2011, 01:19 PM	#13
Jim Hauff Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 2,980	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? Check out the current crop of STOEGERS - they are Turkish SxS and O/U made on Italian (Beretta designed and manufactured) tooling/equipment. Bennelli is the distributor (also owned by Beretta.) I know two gents who have recently purchased examples, one SxS in 28 ga. $325 and one O/U in 12 ga $375. Both are well built and sturdy, nice "Circassian/Turkish" Walnut furniture, metal parts fit well, fit to furniture could be a bit better and both were PACKED full of grease, especially the 28 in the firing pin channels - left barrel wouldn't fire - until the crap was blown out. BOTH after cleaning work flawlessly and the prices were RIGHT in your ball park. __________________ Jim Hauff ~ H&R Collector In Memory of Bill Goforth and Jim Ritchie Last edited by Jim Hauff; 06-29-2011 at 01:21 PM..

06-29-2011, 01:52 PM	#14
chhcope Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 6	Re: Stevens Model 311 Date and Value?? Jim, Thanks for the information, I like the sound of the Stoeger. I am going to look into those. They seem like the best fit. The good news is, I can shoot my new SXS with all the shells I have while I save up for a O/U! Thanks again everyone!