Springfield Model 511 12 ga. - What do you know?

Texas Rifleman · January 8, 2009, 10:34 AM

I've never heard of this shotgun. Someone is offering it to me wrapped in camo tape for $150 cash in working order. I was looking for a project gun. Do you know anything about these?

BigJimP · January 8, 2009, 02:31 PM

I don't know hardly anything about them - except I seem to remember that most of them had markings on them that they were made by Savage or Stevens / but I don't how many different models of guns were made under the Springfield name / or which company specifically made the model 511's.

I'm not sure what you mean by a project gun / or what you want to do to it. Its probably chambered in 2 3/4" . I don't know if you'll have any luck finding parts for those guns or not. Seller is telling you it is in working condition and that's kind of relative ... / it could mean he was using it as a boat paddle - but it still fires.... so it might not be worth $ 150.

I like tinkering with shotguns - but I see a lot of abused guns ( even expensive ones ) - and while I'm always looking for a deal, personally I would stay with guns and models that I was real familiar with. In my case that's Browning Pumps and Over Unders - and I don't stray too far from my comfort zone.

Texas Rifleman · January 8, 2009, 02:38 PM

I told the man I'd pass. I haven't seen that particular gun yet and there is almost no information on them which means parts are probably hard to find.

BigJimP · January 8, 2009, 02:41 PM

I think you're being smart.

What kind of a " project " are you trying to find / what do you want a shotgun to do for you ? Are you looking to fix up something for a kid - or what's on your mind ?

Texas Rifleman · January 8, 2009, 02:44 PM

I'm just looking for ANYTHING to tinker with. I have a little of everything but I'm always looking for a firearm to work on. Something cheap that needs fixin'. I like to make something that looks horrible into something beautiful.

BigJimP · January 8, 2009, 03:09 PM

I understand.

I see a lot of shotguns at the gun shows/pawn shops that would fit that category / and the bigger the name, the easier they are to sell once you clean them up. I think its pretty hard to sell these off brand guns / Springfield or whatever ...

If you can do some simple gunsmithing and you're into woodworking - I'm seeing a lot of older pump and O/U's out there that are all beat up. I wouldn't recommend buying anything other than a gun that has screw in chokes - but if you take a good solid gun like an 870 Wingmaster / Browning BPS pumps - or even an older Browning Citori lightning model field O/U - take them apart, fix anything that is worn or looks bad / then really spruce up the wood - they're all prettty easy to sell if you keep the pump guns around $ 400 / the O/U's around $1,000. The reason I would stay with the guns that already have the screw in chokes - is it makes a good gift for a kid or somebody - as a gun that can do anything ( hunting, a little skeet, trap, sporting clays, etc ). Package the gun with a few chokes / have an inventory of chokes - so the buyer can add a few more ... If you stay with one or two mfg's - you keep your spare parts and choke tubes to a minimum ...

Getting that shiny Browning stock look - is not easy at home / takes a few extra steps to polish the finish / lay a few deep coats of finish on the wood ... but there is a pretty good product sold by Brownells called Pro Custom Oil Gun Stock finish - its a Tung Oil and Urethane mix that dries really hard and builds up nice. It isn't something you can do at the kitchen table in a few minutes - its takes some time and effort / about 4 coats to really get it nice / 6 or 7 days total - but its worth the effort.

Lee Lapin · January 8, 2009, 03:27 PM

TR,

It's an American made boxlock SXS in the same family with the Fox Model B, Sears 400, 101.7, 5100, Stevens 530, 311, 511, 5100, etc. in various grades with fancier or lesser wood, some walnut, some birch, some Tenite (an early plastic that tends to get brittle). In other words, the quintessential working man's double barrel for most of the 1900s.

For $150 in good working order I'd grab it... I'd guess a 511 would have walnut furnuture under the tape.

hth,

lpl

Chuckusaret · January 9, 2009, 10:42 PM

Neighbor has one, its a side by side and it does what it was designed to do. Hey, if its in good shape you can't beat the price. Lee Lapin is correct, this one has nice wood but some had plastic furniture

troy_mclure · January 10, 2009, 12:09 AM

ive got one thats sawed off to 18.5".
its a good shooter.

January 8, 2009, 10:34 AM	#1
Texas Rifleman Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2007 Posts: 287	Springfield Model 511 12 ga. - What do you know? I've never heard of this shotgun. Someone is offering it to me wrapped in camo tape for $150 cash in working order. I was looking for a project gun. Do you know anything about these? __________________ "The world is filled with violence. Because criminals carry guns, we decent law-abiding citizens should also have guns. Otherwise they will win and the decent people will lose." - James Earl Jones

January 8, 2009, 02:38 PM	#3
Texas Rifleman Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2007 Posts: 287	Yeah... I told the man I'd pass. I haven't seen that particular gun yet and there is almost no information on them which means parts are probably hard to find. __________________ "The world is filled with violence. Because criminals carry guns, we decent law-abiding citizens should also have guns. Otherwise they will win and the decent people will lose." - James Earl Jones

January 8, 2009, 02:44 PM	#5
Texas Rifleman Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2007 Posts: 287	I like guns... I'm just looking for ANYTHING to tinker with. I have a little of everything but I'm always looking for a firearm to work on. Something cheap that needs fixin'. I like to make something that looks horrible into something beautiful. __________________ "The world is filled with violence. Because criminals carry guns, we decent law-abiding citizens should also have guns. Otherwise they will win and the decent people will lose." - James Earl Jones

January 10, 2009, 12:09 AM	#9
troy_mclure Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2008 Location: gulf of mexico Posts: 2,716	ive got one thats sawed off to 18.5". its a good shooter. __________________ There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."

January 8, 2009, 02:31 PM	#2
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I don't know hardly anything about them - except I seem to remember that most of them had markings on them that they were made by Savage or Stevens / but I don't how many different models of guns were made under the Springfield name / or which company specifically made the model 511's. I'm not sure what you mean by a project gun / or what you want to do to it. Its probably chambered in 2 3/4" . I don't know if you'll have any luck finding parts for those guns or not. Seller is telling you it is in working condition and that's kind of relative ... / it could mean he was using it as a boat paddle - but it still fires.... so it might not be worth $ 150. I like tinkering with shotguns - but I see a lot of abused guns ( even expensive ones ) - and while I'm always looking for a deal, personally I would stay with guns and models that I was real familiar with. In my case that's Browning Pumps and Over Unders - and I don't stray too far from my comfort zone.

January 8, 2009, 02:41 PM	#4
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I think you're being smart. What kind of a " project " are you trying to find / what do you want a shotgun to do for you ? Are you looking to fix up something for a kid - or what's on your mind ?

January 8, 2009, 03:09 PM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I understand. I see a lot of shotguns at the gun shows/pawn shops that would fit that category / and the bigger the name, the easier they are to sell once you clean them up. I think its pretty hard to sell these off brand guns / Springfield or whatever ... If you can do some simple gunsmithing and you're into woodworking - I'm seeing a lot of older pump and O/U's out there that are all beat up. I wouldn't recommend buying anything other than a gun that has screw in chokes - but if you take a good solid gun like an 870 Wingmaster / Browning BPS pumps - or even an older Browning Citori lightning model field O/U - take them apart, fix anything that is worn or looks bad / then really spruce up the wood - they're all prettty easy to sell if you keep the pump guns around $ 400 / the O/U's around $1,000. The reason I would stay with the guns that already have the screw in chokes - is it makes a good gift for a kid or somebody - as a gun that can do anything ( hunting, a little skeet, trap, sporting clays, etc ). Package the gun with a few chokes / have an inventory of chokes - so the buyer can add a few more ... If you stay with one or two mfg's - you keep your spare parts and choke tubes to a minimum ... Getting that shiny Browning stock look - is not easy at home / takes a few extra steps to polish the finish / lay a few deep coats of finish on the wood ... but there is a pretty good product sold by Brownells called Pro Custom Oil Gun Stock finish - its a Tung Oil and Urethane mix that dries really hard and builds up nice. It isn't something you can do at the kitchen table in a few minutes - its takes some time and effort / about 4 coats to really get it nice / 6 or 7 days total - but its worth the effort.

January 8, 2009, 03:27 PM	#7
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	TR, It's an American made boxlock SXS in the same family with the Fox Model B, Sears 400, 101.7, 5100, Stevens 530, 311, 511, 5100, etc. in various grades with fancier or lesser wood, some walnut, some birch, some Tenite (an early plastic that tends to get brittle). In other words, the quintessential working man's double barrel for most of the 1900s. For $150 in good working order I'd grab it... I'd guess a 511 would have walnut furnuture under the tape. hth, lpl

January 9, 2009, 10:42 PM	#8
Chuckusaret Junior member Join Date: December 5, 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 708	Neighbor has one, its a side by side and it does what it was designed to do. Hey, if its in good shape you can't beat the price. Lee Lapin is correct, this one has nice wood but some had plastic furniture