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Forums10
Topics38,934
Posts550,858
Members14,460
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Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
I could never quite figure the "Value" of a vent rib on a field gun. Just a place to gather debris & moisture should you get caught in a rain etc. I think the addition of the V-rib would be my cut-off point for buying a model B, unless it was Extremely cheap, as in paying me to take it.
As Larry said the earlier B's were better guns, all they really needed was a little more atention to detail, rather than adding Freu-Frau. Even so an early B with slim forend, two triggers & extractors is not a bad field gun & as I recall they all did have walnut stocks, even if rather plain wood.
Miller/TN I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 466
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 466 |
Question: I know when 'classic' is mentioned one thinks of Parker, Smith, Fox etc. but do you consider the 311 a classic.
One of the dictionary definitions is ; 'enduring'. That it certainly is, 50 odd years in production and alot still being used and I've heard many say they hunt their old 311 once in a while for nostalgia and tradition because it had been handed down in the family.
I personally believe it is the 'working man's classic'.
Don't sacrifice the future on the altar of today
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,109 Likes: 39
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,109 Likes: 39 |
This an aging hooker, actaully a Steven 5000. I'm not sure if the upgrades were done at the factory or not,I imagine the cyanide colors are original but the wood, BT forend, Redhead pad and twin ivories?
My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income. - Errol Flynn
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,715 Likes: 114
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,715 Likes: 114 |
Rob, who says make-up won't improve the view??? That is a great looking stock!...Geo
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,064
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,064 |
Don't knock the early Model B's. I have the first year's production 20 ga. with slim splinter forend, cut checkering, very nice but plain walnut woderfully finished, double triggers and NO VENT RIB. They really ruined this gun in later years as they started adding clubby, Browining style beavertail forends, vent ribs held on with phillips screws, single triggers. Mine Model B weighs 6 lbs. 7 oz. and handles worlds better than the later junk coming out of Westfield. Wish I knew how to post photos of it. And yes, the Stevens guns built before the 60's were pretty nice, too. Chopperlump.
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 466
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 466 |
Last edited by Patriot USA; 09/18/09 04:54 PM.
Don't sacrifice the future on the altar of today
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,026
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,026 |
I'm with Chopper on the earliest Model Bs--not a Fox by any means but a solid, well enough finished gun that worked. I had a 28" 16 that served me well for some years. Wood was even pretty nice; coarse checkering that did what checkering is supposed to do (That is not PRIMARILY to look good....).
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,109 Likes: 39
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,109 Likes: 39 |
Rob, who says make-up won't improve the view??? That is a great looking stock!...Geo Looks good on the butt George but the grain flow through the wrist isn't great and the checkering is awful. I have thought of having the butt grafted onto another stock some day....
My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income. - Errol Flynn
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,232
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,232 |
I shot Dad's 311 12 gauge on my first dove shoot of the year and borrowed Grandpa's 20 gauge for the second. Both still served the intended purpose very well.
Destry
Out there at the crossroads molding the devil's bullets. - Tom Waits
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,985 Likes: 894
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,985 Likes: 894 |
A gal on my trap league had a 16 gauge 311 her father bought for her back in the day (she is an older gal). It hasn't had exactly perfect maintenance over the years, actually no maintenance would be closer to the truth, but, she has used it every season for league, followed by a healthy schedule of duck and pheasant hunting with her brothers in both South and North Dakota. She shot a deer with it, one year, but says sitting on her butt isn't hunting she enjoys. It was far from new when she got it, about 1960, she thinks, and it has never acted up or failed to go boom. It is a nice handling double trigger gun. I think her Dad did well by her. Best, Ted
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