So, they really have taken over.

W

Why not?

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Never been a Stevens fan and being Chinese, it gives me the right to be highly critical about the quality control of products made in China, especially those made by Norinco! All kidding aside, things are cheap for a reason. In the past before the flood of imports from China, companies such as Cooey made cheap firearms because raw materials were cheap. Today, it is the global stock markets that control the prices on steel and lumber and believe you me, these things are no longer cheap so the cost savings has to be found elsewhere. Labour? Perhaps but China is no longer a 3rd world country and wages continues to creep up and those savings are offset by shipping and taxes. So quality control it is.

I had a chance to hold the exact shot gun you are talking about. A friend of mine bought it from the local Canadian Tire for that exact same price. I had my single shot Cooey 84 12 gauge with me which I picked up for $50 last year at Shooters Choice. Even though they are two totally different shot guns, the quality of material and construction between the two is eye opening. The Stevens' stock had a plastic feel to it, more so than than a synthetic stock you would find in (say) a Mossberg. I thought my Mossberg felt cheap but the Stevens was worse. The Stevens came with a barrel with a full choak but the taper was only the last couple of inches. Things didn't seem to line up too nicely and the biggest turn off for me was the stamped receiver. OMG, it looked like someone used a hack saw and a can of black spray paint to make it. The tooling marks were rediculous but I guess it doesn't matter as long as it shoots, right!?!

Having said this, I would be shocked if Stevens made this product in North America. If so, it would be a giant step backwards for North American quality control. After all, even my $50 Cooey had a wood stock, milled and flamed hardened receiver and a fully tapered full choak. We were shooting 25 yards with 2 3/4 number 4 and the Cooey had a smaller more consistant pattern. I'll save my Canadian tire dollars for ammo and motor oil.
 
Made in China a long time ago:

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I was more excited when Stevens was marketing those Ithaca knockoffs. I still recommend Maverick 88's for a cheaper than dirt pump gun. I've been considering trying a Stevens just for #%^*s and giggles, dunno if I'd take it anywhere I needed to depend on it.
 
kennymo said:
I was more excited when Stevens was marketing those Ithaca knockoffs. I still recommend Maverick 88's for a cheaper than dirt pump gun. I've been considering trying a Stevens just for #%^*s and giggles, dunno if I'd take it anywhere I needed to depend on it.
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And, where is the best deal on the 88's?

Ted
 
I have stuff made in China. Over the last 20 years, millions of individual items of name brand consumer products. So I know something about Chinese capabilities and the dynamic of the relationship between the Chinese factories and the Western brand that is placing the order (and usually doing the design work).

The Chinese will happily make whatever you ask them to make. To the quality level you demand, if it is within their capabilities.

The issue isn't so much what the "Chinese" make....it's what the label (brand) asks them to make. Blaming the Chinese for poor quality is both stupid and wrong. The product I have made there is, in our retail market place, a medium to upper medium quality product that could not be replicated in NA for twice the retail price, never mind there are no current factories in NA that have the capability. And at twice the price, no one in NA is buying. So the price/quality equation has been defined by the NA consumer, not Chinese factory owners.
 
Why not? said:
And, where is the best deal on the 88's?

Ted
Click to expand...

Locally here, $239 for a 28" with screw in chokes is tough to beat from Cabelas or WSS. Don't have to pay shipping when you live nearby though. I am half tempted to give the Stevens a try, I've been looking at some short barrelled models here, mostly because I don't have one of those at the moment. I know the Maverick will work dependably though.... And quite frankly I'm an 870 guy anyways....
 
I purchased the Stevens 320 security model as did my friend. Mine is older but worked flawlessly uptill now. Still shoots but has a weak throw when ejecting spent shell. Dunno whats wrong in that regard but after a few thousand shells a few stove pipes is a small price to pay.. for what I got out of it. I do wish I had got the field model instead now as I cant put chokes on the barrel it came with and its hard to hit birds with the pattern so wide.

Anyone know what my extraction problem may be ??
 
Well there are lots of copies of the 870 now. I believe Remington's own 870 express is also a chinese copy with a remington name on it.

Just thinking that if you are going to copy something, why not copy a better gun. IIRC the Winchester 1300 was a cheap replacement for the Model 12, and now a Norinco copy of a copy. Just about spiraling into a Who's on first Three Stouges skit....reverse paradox.
 
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