doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com The American Every Mans Double

all things considered, it is the stevens 311, its predecessors, plus its clone, the ill named fox model B

things, being almost indestructible reliability, low cost to obtain and repair, classic look...

but you also git watt you pay for...

Are you sure you want to go there? I found Nobody & Son (Trade gun of Keeper grade) Bath Street Birmingham 28" 1/2-1/4 chokes 2&3/4" 1&1/4oz proof for $500.

And, what have you got for $500?

Answer, . . . . a gun that, when it breaks, will cost you more to be repaired than you paid for it. No thanks.

Parts are readily available for 311s.

Around 1980, I bought my brother a second hand, but, looked like new Fox model BSE 12 gauge, 30” tubes, single trigger, choked mod and full. My brother was thrilled to have a gun that wasn’t a single shot. He used it every year, until he couldn’t. I worked on both the single trigger and the ejectors, it wasn’t rocket science. Brother used it with slugs for deer, mostly, and an occasional tramp for birds, mostly with my dog and I.

A friend’s dad had the same gun, in 20 gauge. Needed work on its trigger as well, but, I didn’t do it.

Neither of those guys gave a rip about what was classic. They had them because they could afford them (I could afford one, in my brother’s case) had more than one shot, and, usually went bang. My brother used his hard, and it shows, it is on its second buttstock, as Stan pointed out parts aren’t an issue. They are heavy, a bit ungainly, mostly reliable.

I’d vote Nitro Special for everyman’s double gun. This one is a 16 gauge and a bit more svelte.



Best,
Ted

I would take the Brit boxlock for 500$ myself, when they both work, one will be a decent handling gun, the other, not so much.

Jimmy W lays back, kicks off his shoes and watches the party go on this one. 🤐

ah doublegon made in Birmin ham, ang lan, does not qualify as american...

Thanks, this one being in very good mechanical order I haven't thought of that because Anglophiles convinced me they rarely break down. I just need good all-around 🌧 gun. The appeal is I can buy Ameican light game loads from country store and go hunting, no 2" or 2.5" chambered stuff. Unlike decade or two ago hardly anyone stocks short shells. Last time I was at Clark Bros. they only had 16ga 2.5" or 67mm shells, must be for some local Kaisers Boys shooting their Thuringian sticks? I get it, one doesn't stock what doesn’t move.

Given the choice, for $500 equivalent , if I was more concerned with repair bills I’d opt for an AYA boxlock in the best condition that I could find at that price point. They’re invariably a nice handling gun and benefit from disc set strikers, chopper lump barrels and replaceable hinge pins even in the cheapest number 3 and Yeoman models. If I was willing to gamble on the repair aspect I’d find an English boxlock non ejector 30 inch barrelled gun that fitted me well enough and had a balance that set it apart from the average more modern machine made gun. My Greener,Webley and Williamson boxlocks have never needed costly repairs in my ownership and all could be bought for not much more than £500 each.
For example on the uk guntrader site there’s a Greener Empire for sale described as in great condition for £450 that’s where I’d spend my money.
Edit to add £450 Greener Empire now sold ,one described as “in excellent condition” at £565. A search on Guntrader for side by sides filtered price £400 to £600 shows some good options.

Thanks for the link. Our prices haven't gotten that low yet Greener Empire in very good original condition can cost well over $1000. The only stuff I see for $500 around here are old field grade domestic clunkers or beat up English guns from BSA or something similar to beat up Webley & Scott 700.