Some months back we got into a bit of a lengthy discussion here about SxS shotguns.
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=3997
At the time, I was in the market for a 20 double. I've since been shooting that Baikal 20 so much that it getting to be second nature in it's swing and sight picture.
Well, I just came across another, this time a Stevens 311 H series 12 ga. that needs a bit of cosmetic stock work, but otherwise is in great shape. I traded my .45colt Blackhawk to a guy for this shotgun and some of his cash.
It comes in on Tuesday, and hope to bring it out to shoot on this Sunday for some informal skeets.

Today, on a used gun site I frequent, this appears :eek:
A stevens 530A in really nice shape and, you guessed it, chambered in everybody's here favorite...16 gauge. They wanted $250 for the gun, which, around here, is a great deal considering the shape of the gun and it's 1940's era...
http://www.mwade.net/ogpix/smof3760.jpg

so I bought it :eek:
I did not need it, but I could not let the deal pass....
In the post above, y'all spoke so highly of the 16 that it has just sat in my brain, rolling round & round...taunting me...teasing me, so much that the urge [read impulse buy] overtook me today and, well, looks like I own a 16 now too.

So please tell me more about your 16's and how much you love them....


chris~

You did very well and I hope you enjoy you new acquisition. I am a firm believer that you cannot have too many 16 gauge guns around. All the best...
Gil

Man, you done good. If that gun had appeared around here it would've been priced a lot higher.

Man, you done good. If that gun had appeared around here it would've been priced a lot higher.
Actually, I'm in NJ, the gun is in Utah.
Jersey price for that shottie as shown is about 350-450....depending on how bad someone wants it.
16 gauge however, is like finding hens teeth round here. Just trying to get shells is tough. I am just going to order 2 cases tomorrow, that way I'll have them for what ever. Looks like it also might be time to start reloading shotshells too. I'm alrready doing pistols and rifles....might as well finish the trio! :D

You did good...those old Stevens have served a lot of hunters well over the years (myself included). Solid guns for a reaonable price.

Sought Louisiana is shotgun country; when steel shot becasme the law, a lot of older doubles got sold, traded, or just put away so there were an abundance of them for a number of years. Picked up some nice doubles before the supply started to dwindle. Not super rare here, but back in line with the rest of the nation's pricing.

That ondl gun should clean up nicely...noticed some congealed grease, which is a good sign of a gun that had been well cared for before being put away for a long time. Think you're going to be pleased.

I think so too!!!!

The 311 is in the same type of shape, and where the case coloring is not as vibrant, the blueing is stellar.

Pics to follow.... :D

good deal,its not in bad looking shape,you can tell it by the color case that it did'ent see allot of sun light,by now most of thoes had no color left at all,you will be surprized how well it points and with the 16 you can shoot it all day on that heavy frame.happy shooting and enjoy.

Mercy me I am reading so much about the 16 gauge I guess I should mention my recent accqusition. On the internet I saw a very nice looking mod 12 16 gauge for sale - I bid $350 on a lark because I knew it should bring $450 or so. To make a long story short - nobody wanted it.

My dealer looked at it and said he could get $550 for me and he wanted 10% of that.

This thing is nice, tight, a fun shooter and it goes to North Dakota in 2 weeks to shoot rings. Loel