The Iconic Savage Stevens Model 311 : Your Grandpa’s Shotgun - Remembering the Past

[@PrecisionAirsoft]

It’s funny this video was emailed out today. Just last week I cleaned and oiled my great grandfathers 20ga 311. While doing that I was looking for a video just like this and there was nothing. So thank you.

[@michaelswitzer218]

I have a 1948 12 gauge, originally with the Tenite stock. Everyone hated it. I was told to shoot a groundhog with it when I was 10 or 12 & that experience put me right off the 12 gauge & back to the .410. It was originally my maternal Grandfather's gun (I assume he bought it after he returned from the war), he gave it to my Dad in the late 60s, & Dad hated it. It cut walked up pheasants in half & kicked something terrible. Turns out (by my measuring) it is a 30" gun choked full/ extra full & with the Tenite stock was very barrel heavy. In 2000 due to Covid I was looking for a project, & inspired by some videos I had seen on youtube I rebuilt it. The action worked but was full of "fuzz" & gunk, and while I have a lot of experience working on guns I didn't want to fix what wasn't broken & I boiled the action in soapy water & lubed it liberally with some spray from Brownells. I restocked it with an American walnut British style stock with splinter forend that I bought from a guy in Iowa who has since retired. I took it out to my parents house to shoot it & Dad thought I had bought a new shotgun. With the new wood stock it balances, shoots & handles well, I like it. While the barrels don't pattern at exactly the same spot on a 40 yard NRA target, they are close enough to get the job done & honestly I think it shoots as well as any fancy British High Pheasant gun. Supposedly there were 26" guns choked IC/MOD, if I could find a decent 16 Gauge I would buy it.

[@kevinatwell9781]

I read an article a long time ago that talked about Dub Taylor shooting crows using a Springfield 28 gauge double barrel. He was a western character actor. I didn’t realize the Springfield shotgun was a Steven’s and not affiliated with the Armory. Great video thanks!

[@Jim.Lindsey]

I'm 65. Still have my 311A 20ga I got when I was 8. Fond memories using that one all the way through my teens

[@thomasguditis9747]

Andrew, you do a great job talking about the history of all these guns. You are very informative and are a wealth of knowledge. I could listen to you talk all day about this stuff! Keep up the great work and I look forward to watching all your content. Thank you.

[@texasjoe3261]

Thank You For Sharing Your Knowledge !! Excellent Presentation.

[@leekishbaugh8584]

Thank you for the video and your wealth of knowledge. Appreciate it and it helps us all. Luv your channel.

[@1nfamyX]

These comments are full of everyone sharing info about their experiences with clones or similar side by sides & i love it

[@82lube]

I got mine from dad for Christmas 1974 when I was 12 years old. It has taken at least 20 whitetails & hundreds of squirrels. It may not hold a monetary value equal to my other guns, it has a sentimental value no other weapon could replace

[@michaelsicowitz362]

Paid $180 for mine in 1984. Rust and all, still does it all except for using slugs, love that double, all the miles walking corn fields during October. Greatest memories I have

[@henrylindall-wi8ik]

Y no slugs? I shoot slugs out of mine today brother.

[@gizmocarr3093]

I bought a Fox BSE 20 gauge at the time they were a more premium grade. Mine had a single trigger and automatic ejectors. They were great guns with the exception the weight. The receiver was silver and used a raised rib with 3-inch chambers. The forend was a beavertail with 28-inch barrels. I believe they had some engraving on trigger guard and receiver and ornate opening lever.👍

[@azzir325]

Mine I believe is a 211C choked in modified and full purchased pre 1968. It had lighter colored wood and zero checkering. I was 14 and now I'm 72. I still have it and it shoots fine.

[@Stinger2i]

I'm looking at a 311A 12 ga. currently and thank you for this informative video and answered all my questions about it.

[@johnbozak1662]

My father-in-law has a Steven’s single shot with the Tenerite or plastic stock in 16 ga. He shot a lot of partridge with that gun over the years. Touchy trigger he tells me.

[@EverettBaland]

Looking at a used one now, with three barrel sets. This was helpful, thanks.

[@Giversum]

Thanks for all the info. Just gave a lifelong friend $200 for his 70's made .410. I decided to carefully sand and refinish the wood while taking extra care with the edges and checkering. I am contemplating a professional rebluing. I know original finishes are valued but teenagers aren't the most responsible and it showed. I think the wood is looking richer and better than the original. Nice to know they hold good value. Not nice that .410 ammo is at a premium. Thanks for the video.

[@noexcuses6727]

I have a 311-D which my dad bought used in a pawn shop in North Georgia in 1966 (for him) along with a Cresent Davis (used) in 20 g for me. I refinished the wood 30 years ago and use it every year. She's a shooter in 12 g with a mod and full chokes. It's a heirloom to be passed down to my grand kids. I have retired the Cresent Davis due to small cracks in the wrist of the stock.

[@vankelley4662]

I have a jstevens tool co. model 365 in 16 gage and love it. I clean and hold it at least ones a year.

[@callawayken650]

Thank you. I have this model. 311H made in 1979.

[@jake300win]

I picked up a 16g Springfield 315 last year. Its a fun gun to shoot i do with the chokes were more open though.

[@DonaldRussell-g9t]

I've got a 311 12 GA i got it two weeks ago.

[@TitleII]

Great information, I have a JC Higgins 101.7 in 16ga that says 5100 on the side with no date code. The research I did says it's made between 1941 & 1948.

[@chrislewis1877]

They did make a short model with 181/4" barrels open bore the 311R . it may have only been the last year of production mostly marketed to prison guard and police use. The R was riot. I have two of them. I also found an ad for them online they also made a short pump gun the same year.

[@ShepFL002]

Thanks - looking at one for a grouse hunt this fall. All my other SxS are 12 ga. and my buddies are saying to much gun.

[@ted356]

I would like to find a good, detailed history of these Model 311s. There is a lot of sketchy info, and I think it’s because they made so many of these for so long…that it’s hard to pin down exact details on the pre1968 models. Thanks for the video!

[@williamkilby5438]

I had the same model that was labeled JC Higgins model 101.7 or something like that. It was 12 gauge and had 26 inch factory barrels. I always thought it was choked imp cyl and modified. Can't remember if it was actually stamped. It was not cut down, factory 26 inch barrels. It did kick! Never shot it especially well. Probably on me!

[@doughahn1355]

I would like to see a video on the Stevens model 315 sxs. My guess is that the information would be very close to the 311. However, I would imagine that they are different in some ways.

[@ditzydoo4378]

Love the old 311, have used several sub-models. a question if you please: Will you be going over the Winchester 101 early models to include interior?? ^~^

[@timbell7893]

When I was a boy, you could find these guns everywhere. Nowadays, they are not found much at guns shows or for sale. I wonder where they have all gone to?

[@badmouthadventures7473]

Hiding in closets ………

[@stevenschreiber191]

I recently bought 16ga 311 on auction. Its has surprisingly nice engraving on the receiver, lever and even the small metal piece on the forearm. I contacted Savage historian and sent pictures to no avail. It looks like it was a safe queen. It has high quality wood and checkering. Not your standard 311. Highly doubtful someone bought a 311 and had it engraved. The gunsmith I had it sent to said it was high quality engraving and not an amature. It has nice dual pheasants on each side. Letters FX and A and G with circles. Stevens Savage Chicopee Falls Mass. I post this in hopes of someone having an idea. Thanks.

[@BucksBoarsandBibles]

I have picked up a Stevens Savage Chicopee falls 12ga. 311 with the 5100 on the right side and what looks like an hour glass stamp on the bottom where the date code would be. Looks like the markings on a black widow spider or two w's facing each other. most of the coloring is worn off the sides.

[@billybaroo366]

I have a 410 with same markings

[@hiltonmcconnell2563]

Thanks for the great video, I would like to see one on the Boito A680 Double Trigger 20GAx3" 28" bbl . I have just got one but can not find much about them, other they are made in the same place as Stoeger.

[@BTORange]

Boito is made by the E.R. Amantino company in Brazil and the same models are imported into the US by Stoeger under their brand name. Stoeger is owned by Benelli, and E.R. Amantino represents Benelli products in Brazil, so there is quite a bit of cross-business between those brands. We do have some Stoeger-branded Amantino shotguns in the store so we will do a video on these in the near future!

[@taasch2505]

Yep my grandfather passed away and it was mine. Crazy

[@williamd6967]

Bought a 311 D about 20 years ago along with a SKS still in Cosmo Len for 400.put both in safe never shot the Stevens until this vid.Its probably 90% 26" barrels 12 gadge no marks of any kind for a date code.any idea what the D series is?Kind of like to date it.always thought the receiver was case hardened wow cyanide!

[@joelmonkley6177]

Love own one of these made after the 1950s

[@yeedbottomtext7563]

Gotta replace the left side firing pin spring on my 311a. The pin is protruding about 4mm

[@johnpalmer7272]

My brother called his "Old Nasty".

[@505bandit]

Great video very informative. I have a question maybe you can answer. Thank you so much.

[@mikepurdy3952]

I Successfully had the Auto Safety disconnected on a 20ga. BAIKAL side by side. Recently purchased a 311 (410) and Im wondering if I can get the Auto-Safety disconnected on it as well. Is it a fairly straight forward procedure on the 311 ?

[@BTORange]

Yes. The top snap plunger would need to be shortened so it does not contact the safety button when the top snap lever is rotated to the side. Do not over-shorten the plunger, only remove enough to prevent the plunger from pushing the safety button rearward.

[@andfleagle]

Did they keep producing the 5100 after the 311 came out?

[@alangreenleafsr9615]

I have a Savage Stevens double barrel purchased in 1968.The problem I’m having is with the safety. When you take your first shot the safety jumps to lock position so you can’t take another shot without taking the safety off. Do you know what part it needs? Thank you

[@BTORange]

I really don't like diagnosing a gun I can't see. That said, it is probably the safety spring and/or plunger.

[@Stinger2i]

Where do you get new parts for them ? I have a 12 ga. 311A

[@BTORange]

@@Stinger2i some parts are being remade new by Gun Parts Corporation and Jack first

[@505bandit]

I have a eastern arms 101.15 Sears Roebuck and co USA the right barrel, says select forged steel the Left barrel says proof test a 20 gauge 2 3/4 inch chamber and on the right side of the receiver on the bottom left corner it says 5100 I heard you mention the 5100 may be a 1931 anyway thank you. Look forward to hearing from you.

[@BTORange]

The Eastern Arms 101.15 was manufactured specifically for sale by Sears by the J Stevens Arms division of Savage during the 1940's. The '5100' was not a specific model, but a marking signifying.use of the 'new style' frame at the time. Dating the shotgun would only be generally possible to the mid 1940's.

[@505bandit]

@@BTORange thank you very much smarter than the average bear you got a new subscriber

[@ronaldtechnik8016]

I have a 311R with a short barrel

[@jeevzthegod]

My great grandfathers only has a star stamped on it

[@vankelley4662]

My model 365 is in great shape not sure when it was made.

[@BTORange]

The Model 365 dates around the 1920's. Hard to pin it down further. Please have the chamber length checked, it may well be 2 1/2".

[@vankelley4662]

I have shot 23/4 in it. Worked fine. Just got some buck shot 16 gage and it chambered fine. Not much info on the 365.@@BTORange

[@Johnny-jr2lq]

I have a question 🙋‍♂️ my side x side Stevens had a goose or a duck on the side any history on it would be awesome

[@BTORange]

Stevens (pre-Savage) used the duck-in-flight on the Model 315 and 330, which continued under Savage ownership. All of the markings, pictures, etc, would be necessary to properly identify the shotgun.

[@SP0RTYinCA]

how do i tell the CHOKE ? mine has no markings, guess i need a caliper

[@BTORange]

@@SP0RTYinCA really that's almost the only way. Most of them are either full full or full modified

[@SP0RTYinCA]

googled it looks like 311 in 30 inch if Full - Full

[@stevenfuchs3131]

I have my Grandfather’s Mod 5100 in .410

[@deeaguilar7645]

I have a wards western field 530 sb deluxe in 20 gauge that i want to restore anyone no what any thing compatable with it. Or any info on this ward western field?

[@BTORange]

You bet. The gun was made by Savage for Montgomery Wards and is essentially the same as the Stevens 5100 -frame side-by-side. Most early 311 parts would be compatible.

[@1nfamyX]

5:59 Springfield ARMORY is not Springfield ARSENAL, youre adding to the confusion by calling them the same name.

[@BTORange]

Neither of those has anything to do with the Springfield brand name used by Savage. Even more confusion.

[@1nfamyX]

@@BTORange also true

[@davidstevens2857]

I got one .16 gauge

[@justacentrist4147]

Got one in 12G for 200$ canadian 5 years back

[@DonaldRussell-g9t]

I got my 311 for $300 .