Price check on Stevens 311A 20 ga

Brian Newbill · December 8, 2002, 05:17 PM

I am looking at purchasing a Stevens 311A 20 ga 2 3/4" with 28in barrels Modified and Full.

It is called "Extra Clean". I talked to the guy on the phone and he said it had really good blue but a little wear on the case colors. No cracks in any of the wood.

He wants $350 out the door for it.

I have purchased several guns from this store before and I trust him but I don't know about the price.

What is the verdict? Good deal or pass?

ps. I have really been wanting a decent quality 20 ga SXS double barrel for hunting.

OkieCruffler · December 8, 2002, 05:32 PM

I'm showing a blue book value of $350 in VG condition, but my book is a few years old. I've seen them for around $250, but if you like this one and want a good feild gun you won't be disappointed with the 311.

LF&Co. MG · December 8, 2002, 05:34 PM

There is a gunshop in my area that has the same gun in similar condition. He is wanting mid 3's too. THese used to be reasonable guns to buy before the "cowboys" showed an interest. I would say the asking price is right on market value.

Dave McC · December 8, 2002, 06:38 PM

CAS has a lot to answer for, they've driven the price up on nice old doubles like the 311s, and lots of them have commited atrocities on 97 Winchesters like bobbing bbls.

IMO, $350's a hair high unless it's near new in condition, the wood's pretty and you really covet it.

I don't expect 311 prices to drop, lots of folks are realizing there's a lot of value there for a little money.

One caveat, there's occasional regulation probs with these. I'd do a few shots at the patterning board to ensure the bbls shoot to the same point.

OkieCruffler · December 8, 2002, 09:41 PM

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be able to do the CAS thing, but everytime I see one of those 311's or especially a '97 Winchester chopped up like some piece of oilfeild pipe I cringe. I bought most of my 311's several years ago for $200-$250. Now every one I see has a tag on it that says "great for cowboy action shooting" and a price of $300 and up. Brings a tear to my eye.

Dave McC · December 9, 2002, 04:43 AM

CAS seems like a lot of fun to me also, John, and the shooters I've met are a nice lot. But, they've done un-nice things to some gun prices.

Back a few decades, the same thing happened with SA Colts. The fast draw crowd elevated prices into the stratosphere. The prices never did come down.

Big Hext · December 11, 2002, 01:09 AM

I know we have paid sadly excessive amounts for old beater shotguns. We've done horrible things to the 97 market. Have you tried to find an 87 lately? (part of that weight falls on T2 and Arnie)

But it's just too much fun. And even these "high" prices are still pretty low.

So get off the porch and come run with the slow dogs.

Adios,

OkieCruffler · December 11, 2002, 04:26 AM

I can't afford to run with you slow dogs, but if I could I would chop up an IGA or some such.

Al Thompson · December 11, 2002, 08:10 AM

Brian, around here that's a tad high, but not by much. Last gunshow they were moving at 300, asking at 325 and up. You may be able to get a few bucks off, but spending an extra 50.00 bucks and getting a good one may be worth it in the long run.

December 8, 2002, 05:17 PM	#1
Brian Newbill Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2001 Posts: 105	Price check on Stevens 311A 20 ga I am looking at purchasing a Stevens 311A 20 ga 2 3/4" with 28in barrels Modified and Full. It is called "Extra Clean". I talked to the guy on the phone and he said it had really good blue but a little wear on the case colors. No cracks in any of the wood. He wants $350 out the door for it. I have purchased several guns from this store before and I trust him but I don't know about the price. What is the verdict? Good deal or pass? ps. I have really been wanting a decent quality 20 ga SXS double barrel for hunting.

December 8, 2002, 05:32 PM	#2
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	I'm showing a blue book value of $350 in VG condition, but my book is a few years old. I've seen them for around $250, but if you like this one and want a good feild gun you won't be disappointed with the 311. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

December 8, 2002, 05:34 PM	#3
LF&Co. MG Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2002 Location: Lenoir City TN. Posts: 105	There is a gunshop in my area that has the same gun in similar condition. He is wanting mid 3's too. THese used to be reasonable guns to buy before the "cowboys" showed an interest. I would say the asking price is right on market value. __________________ "This was the great abiding lesson of my boyhood, that I was in a world where it was not possible for me to be good" George Orwell

December 8, 2002, 09:41 PM	#5
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be able to do the CAS thing, but everytime I see one of those 311's or especially a '97 Winchester chopped up like some piece of oilfeild pipe I cringe. I bought most of my 311's several years ago for $200-$250. Now every one I see has a tag on it that says "great for cowboy action shooting" and a price of $300 and up. Brings a tear to my eye. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

December 11, 2002, 01:09 AM	#7
Big Hext Member Join Date: May 7, 2002 Location: Dripping Springs, TX Posts: 29	Durn it, it ain't our fault I know we have paid sadly excessive amounts for old beater shotguns. We've done horrible things to the 97 market. Have you tried to find an 87 lately? (part of that weight falls on T2 and Arnie) But it's just too much fun. And even these "high" prices are still pretty low. So get off the porch and come run with the slow dogs. Adios,

December 8, 2002, 06:38 PM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	CAS has a lot to answer for, they've driven the price up on nice old doubles like the 311s, and lots of them have commited atrocities on 97 Winchesters like bobbing bbls. IMO, $350's a hair high unless it's near new in condition, the wood's pretty and you really covet it. I don't expect 311 prices to drop, lots of folks are realizing there's a lot of value there for a little money. One caveat, there's occasional regulation probs with these. I'd do a few shots at the patterning board to ensure the bbls shoot to the same point.

December 9, 2002, 04:43 AM	#6
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	CAS seems like a lot of fun to me also, John, and the shooters I've met are a nice lot. But, they've done un-nice things to some gun prices. Back a few decades, the same thing happened with SA Colts. The fast draw crowd elevated prices into the stratosphere. The prices never did come down.

December 11, 2002, 04:26 AM	#8
OkieCruffler Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2001 Location: Denison Texas on the banks of Texhoma Posts: 1,556	I can't afford to run with you slow dogs, but if I could I would chop up an IGA or some such. __________________ John A. Monroe, Never Forgive, Never Forget, Blood Pays Blood

December 11, 2002, 08:10 AM	#9
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	Aside from the thread veer.. Brian, around here that's a tad high, but not by much. Last gunshow they were moving at 300, asking at 325 and up. You may be able to get a few bucks off, but spending an extra 50.00 bucks and getting a good one may be worth it in the long run. __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/