stevens 311

remchuck · 06-03-2007, 01:17 PM

i just bought an old stevins 311 12 ga.i am going to saw down to 20 in. for cowboy action shooting.i have never done this so i'm asking members for suggestions.i want it to look good when i finish.i would also like to reattach the bead.i will refinish the stock.i have also heard about changeing the springs to make it easier to open.anybody ever done this before?

Mooseman684 · 06-03-2007, 01:39 PM

For one thing,don't "Saw" the barrel off. It is almost impossible to get it straight and then you have a lot of file work to do. Have the barrel turned off in a lathe by a gun or Machine shop...Much better in the long run. Then a good Gunsmith shop can locate, drill, tap, and install a bead with the proper tools for you and trim the excess screw inside the barrel.I would leave the springs alone...
Rich

JoeLee · 06-03-2007, 02:20 PM

Never cut the barrels on a Stevens/Savage/Fox,double barrel shotgun or any other.Barrels are regulated to cross at X yardage you"ll *******ise a fine shotgun.Sell it if you will and buy a Chinese Cowboy shotgun.But please don't cannibalise the 311!4?

samuel · 06-03-2007, 05:54 PM

I thought they had to have exposed hammer for cowboy action. samuel

Mooseman684 · 06-03-2007, 07:00 PM

I should have looked up that model, not realizing it was a double Barrel...Lathe cutting wont work, but a machine shop band saw will cut it.
Cowboy actions should have hammers, so a good Idea is to find another one, or buy a cowboy Shotgun...
Rich

billy · 06-03-2007, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeLee

Never cut the barrels on a Stevens/Savage/Fox,double barrel shotgun or any other.Barrels are regulated to cross at X yardage you"ll *******ise a fine shotgun.Sell it if you will and buy a Chinese Cowboy shotgun.But please don't cannibalise the 311!4?

yeah buy a norinco! they look authentic

remchuck · 06-04-2007, 01:00 AM

i hate the idea of a chinese shotgun.i already own a 311 with 30 in barrels in 3 in.mag.this one is actually a j.c.higgins model 101.7 with 26 in.barrels,and yes they are good shotguns for the money.for cowboy shooting the shotgun can only have extractors,not ejectors,hammers not required.the reason i wanted to change the springs is for quick reloading.i tore it down and it looked complicated.i found the spring set at brownells.i actually hate the idea of anything chinese.

samuel · 06-04-2007, 02:44 AM

Since you say hammers arent required I would go for it.The 311 seems to hold up good and they do a lot of shooting in cowboy action and I know from experience some of this imported stuff doesnt hold up to good.The one thing I would advise,if you are going to saw the barrels in a bandsaw or otherwise clamp them in a vise,clamp the part you are sawing off in the vise and use a rest under the part you want to use. samuel.

Mooseman684 · 06-04-2007, 02:14 PM

Take it to a Qualified gunsmith to have the work done so it will be done properly, I have run into some problems in the past with ribs and Hollow joints after cutting double barrels down...It will be cheaper in the long run than if you screw it up and then want someone else to fix it,trust me...
Rich

JoeLee · 06-04-2007, 04:33 PM

Also you need a new barrel anchorage at the barrels ends.Nothings more Bubba then looking at barrel ends,being anchored with the rib only.If your 311 has a rib?

samuel · 06-04-2007, 06:45 PM

I go with what MooseMan says on this.At least go to a qualified gunsmith and get a price.The rib is hollow on a 311 and when sawed off should be reanchored. samuel.

remchuck · 06-07-2007, 04:45 PM

thanks guys.anybody ever change the springs?

Mooseman684 · 06-07-2007, 09:13 PM

Which spring(s) are you talking about ???
The top snap plunger spring, the ejector rod spring, the Mainsprings ???
Rich

remchuck · 06-19-2007, 02:17 AM

brownells sells a spring kit.trigger springs,latch springs,and hammer springs.i heard they were frustrating to change.

ezearln · 06-19-2007, 01:22 PM

Please please please don't hack up a 311, go for the coach gun or anythingy else just don't whack a good 311 Sniff (Makes me sad)

06-03-2007, 01:17 PM	#1
remchuck Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: nashville Posts: 164	stevens 311 i just bought an old stevins 311 12 ga.i am going to saw down to 20 in. for cowboy action shooting.i have never done this so i'm asking members for suggestions.i want it to look good when i finish.i would also like to reattach the bead.i will refinish the stock.i have also heard about changeing the springs to make it easier to open.anybody ever done this before?

06-03-2007, 01:39 PM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,638 Images: 2	For one thing,don't "Saw" the barrel off. It is almost impossible to get it straight and then you have a lot of file work to do. Have the barrel turned off in a lathe by a gun or Machine shop...Much better in the long run. Then a good Gunsmith shop can locate, drill, tap, and install a bead with the proper tools for you and trim the excess screw inside the barrel.I would leave the springs alone... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

06-03-2007, 02:20 PM	#3
JoeLee Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North New York State. Posts: 1,241	Never cut the barrels on a Stevens/Savage/Fox,double barrel shotgun or any other.Barrels are regulated to cross at X yardage you"ll ******ise a fine shotgun.Sell it if you will and buy a Chinese Cowboy shotgun.But please don't cannibalise the 311!4? Last edited by JoeLee; 06-03-2007 at 03:30 PM.*

06-03-2007, 07:00 PM	#5
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,638 Images: 2	I should have looked up that model, not realizing it was a double Barrel...Lathe cutting wont work, but a machine shop band saw will cut it. Cowboy actions should have hammers, so a good Idea is to find another one, or buy a cowboy Shotgun... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

06-04-2007, 02:14 PM	#9
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,638 Images: 2	Take it to a Qualified gunsmith to have the work done so it will be done properly, I have run into some problems in the past with ribs and Hollow joints after cutting double barrels down...It will be cheaper in the long run than if you screw it up and then want someone else to fix it,trust me... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

06-03-2007, 05:54 PM	#4
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I thought they had to have exposed hammer for cowboy action. samuel

06-04-2007, 01:00 AM	#7
remchuck Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: nashville Posts: 164	i hate the idea of a chinese shotgun.i already own a 311 with 30 in barrels in 3 in.mag.this one is actually a j.c.higgins model 101.7 with 26 in.barrels,and yes they are good shotguns for the money.for cowboy shooting the shotgun can only have extractors,not ejectors,hammers not required.the reason i wanted to change the springs is for quick reloading.i tore it down and it looked complicated.i found the spring set at brownells.i actually hate the idea of anything chinese.

06-04-2007, 02:44 AM	#8
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	Since you say hammers arent required I would go for it.The 311 seems to hold up good and they do a lot of shooting in cowboy action and I know from experience some of this imported stuff doesnt hold up to good.The one thing I would advise,if you are going to saw the barrels in a bandsaw or otherwise clamp them in a vise,clamp the part you are sawing off in the vise and use a rest under the part you want to use. samuel.

06-04-2007, 04:33 PM	#10
JoeLee Banned Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: North New York State. Posts: 1,241	Also you need a new barrel anchorage at the barrels ends.Nothings more Bubba then looking at barrel ends,being anchored with the rib only.If your 311 has a rib?

06-04-2007, 06:45 PM	#11
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I go with what MooseMan says on this.At least go to a qualified gunsmith and get a price.The rib is hollow on a 311 and when sawed off should be reanchored. samuel.

06-07-2007, 04:45 PM	#12
remchuck Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: nashville Posts: 164	thanks guys.anybody ever change the springs?

06-07-2007, 09:13 PM	#13
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,638 Images: 2	Which spring(s) are you talking about ??? The top snap plunger spring, the ejector rod spring, the Mainsprings ??? Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

06-19-2007, 02:17 AM	#14
remchuck Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: nashville Posts: 164	brownells sells a spring kit.trigger springs,latch springs,and hammer springs.i heard they were frustrating to change.

06-19-2007, 01:22 PM	#15
ezearln Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 3,175	Please please please don't hack up a 311, go for the coach gun or anythingy else just don't whack a good 311 Sniff (Makes me sad) __________________ "You can have my Freedom when I'm done with it!"