Stevens 311 problem

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horseshoe

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I have a problem with an old Stevens 311 side-by-side that maybe someone can offer advice about.

It was a hand-me-down that my great-grandfather bought when he was a young man, and neglected for a very long time.

Earlier this year, I took it to a local gunsmith to have it "restored", and due to it's sentimental value, paid more than it's worth to have it cleaned up, checked out, new stock etc...

I took it out for a test fire afterwards, and found it has a major flaw I never saw before.

The "rib" that runs down between the barrels is kind of bowed down, so there isn't really a sight plane, you can see the receiver and the bead at the end of the barrel, but the middle bead is completely hidden from view.

The most consistent "sight picture" I can get is by just setting the bead on top if the receiver, but all my shots at 20 yards hit a full 10-12 inches low. The first grouse I pulled the trigger on learned this the hard way...well, what was left of him anyway...


I'd hate for this to become an expensive sentimental wall-hanger. Sure would be proud to walk for chickens with my great-grandpa's gun every fall.

Does anyone know a way to "build up" that rib so I have a level plane again? Or any other tricks that might help?
 
A lot of the Stevens 311's had crooked ribs even when new.That's why I passed on buying a 20ga as all three the store had were poorly done.
 
Though not ideal an over sized middle bead could help, perhaps someone with more experience with shotgun work might offer a better solution.
 
If it's shooting low then you don't want to build up the front of the rib. You need to built up the REAR of the rib. Shooting low in any gun means you need to go to a shorter front sight or taller rear.

Or is it a case of you're supposed to sight along the top rib such that you see the middle and front beads as a figure "8"? If the mid point bead is in a dip and you sighted it this way that would raise the POI.
 
If the POI is low on any shotgun then you need to raise the "rear sight" that being your eye. You said it was re-stocked and maybe the comb of the stock is now lower than the original was. Use some leather or equivalent to build up a pad on the comb of the stock until it shoots where you look. Based on your comments that could be 1/4" or a bit more. At that point I am sure you will be able to clearly see the middle bead too. Good luck.
 
Thanks guys.
I forgot that the stock being changed might have an effect. I'll have to look into that!

I still wish I could find a way to fix the "rib", as it's unusual for me to not see it as a visual reference when aiming...
 
Well, I don't think I've seen any shotgun with a rib which was NOT straight. Have you laid a known good straight edge along the rib to see if it truly is curved?
 
BCRider said:
Well, I don't think I've seen any shotgun with a rib which was NOT straight. Have you laid a known good straight edge along the rib to see if it truly is curved?
Click to expand...

Oh, yeah. It's bowed down, a lot.

Between the receiver and the mid-bead is the worst place. I can roll a .22lr brass under the straight edge...
 
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