Hi there recently got a Stevens Model 335 SXS it’s in decent shape locks up tight all I know is it was made sometime befor 1930. you see I bought this gun online and the add said it was a Stevens 311 but when I got it it was a 335 just looking for any info on these guns and if I can shoot modern bird shot through it or is It a black powder shotgun twisted or Damascus steel I see no rings in the barrel but new to the old shotgun world so not sure what’s safe also it has matching serial numbers and the bottom of the barrels has a P in a circle stamped any info would be greatly appreciated hopefully someone on here can help me out thank you
Looking for any info about a Stevens 335 SXS
- Thread starter Bigjon.50
- Start date
Ya just wish there was one around Sydney N.S. but I did a little test I’m no gun smith but I took a 9/16 deep wall socket and an ecstenson and slid it down the chamber and marked as close as I could with a sharpie lol still not clameing I’m a gunsmith but it is about an good 2and 7/8th the 9/16 leaves about a 1/16 wiggle room so for good measure we’ll say 2”3/4 any thoughts on this ?
Without knowing the date of manufacture, it’s likely your gun was not designed for modern powders, which really came into use around 1925 with Winchester SuperX. So it’s not so much the length that is the potential problem but the pressure levels generated.
If you used an appropriate pressured cartridge in 2 3/4” , generating roughly 8,000 psi or less, and the chambers were short, the bump in pressure is going to be around 500 psi. Well within manageable levels.
Just as importable for the well being of the gun is the use of lower pressure shells to reduce recoil which is the major cause of old gun failure.....a cracked or broken stock.
I repeat what others have said. Get it inspected by a qualified smith. There aren’t any near me either but I don’t mess around. I like my fingers and my forearm and my eyes. Note we have all said “qualified”. Many smiths have no clue what they are doing with SxS.
If you used an appropriate pressured cartridge in 2 3/4” , generating roughly 8,000 psi or less, and the chambers were short, the bump in pressure is going to be around 500 psi. Well within manageable levels.
Just as importable for the well being of the gun is the use of lower pressure shells to reduce recoil which is the major cause of old gun failure.....a cracked or broken stock.
I repeat what others have said. Get it inspected by a qualified smith. There aren’t any near me either but I don’t mess around. I like my fingers and my forearm and my eyes. Note we have all said “qualified”. Many smiths have no clue what they are doing with SxS.
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I’ll assume it’s a 12 gauge. Kent makes the Elite target load in 2 1/2”.
Low pressure and very reasonable on cost.
Winchester makes the Low Recoil Low Noise AA Target load in 2 3/4” but with a pressure generated of around 6000 psi, if they fit, they will be fine.
Low pressure and very reasonable on cost.
Winchester makes the Low Recoil Low Noise AA Target load in 2 3/4” but with a pressure generated of around 6000 psi, if they fit, they will be fine.
