stevens 311 not locking up all the way

[jmm1245]

I have a Stevens 311 16 ga that was given to me in return for a favor I did for a good customer. I have shot that little gun till my shoulder hurts and it never failed me. That is until I shot something other then 7 1/2 low brass. After I shoot, the gun will not open. You have to take the forearm off and resent a lever. I think there is some wear that is not allowing the gun to lock up correctly.

Any help on this would be great. Is this something I could do on my own or should I find a 'smith to handle the work

joe

[Smokin Joe]

Joe, check and see if the firing pins are the problem. My 311 pins don't retract until the cocking sequence begins. Is the lever you refer to the cocking plunger? Check the diagram at:

http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=089Zz311


Does it open if you crack it over your knee?

See:

http://jimj.mystarband.net/stevensmod.htm

[The Gamemaster]

Take it to a Gunsmith.

[gunnut69]

There are several possible problems but it's likelt the firing pins hanging in the fired primers. the retractor springs may have failed or simply rusted away. This is not a job for anything less than a skilled ameture and I would suggest a competant gunsmith.

[jmm1245]

Smokinjoe5150

Yes it is the cocking plunger, after firing the gun won't open. When I take the forearm off, the cocking plunger is over the lobe and not under it. I thought I had read a tread in this forum stating to add material to the cocking plunger as a fix this problem. How did you fix yours?

Gunnut69- the pins are in fine working order, i apologize for my lack of part knowledge but i appreciate your input. Do you know any gunsmiths in the Capitol region of NY
 

[Smokin Joe]

I didn't fix mine. I have to open it over my knee. I think I'd see the gunsmith as the innards are tough to work with.

Here's some smiths:

http://www.yellowbook.com/Category/gunsmiths/New%20York/

[gunnut69]

Is there significant wear on the cocking plunger? Is the gun on face(won't shake with barrels locked and fore arm removed)? The 311 like most box locks are not easy to work on.

[jmm1245]

The gun is on face- solid as a rock- the wear appears to be minimal(I don't have anything to compare it to, but if I had the tolerances I could measure) , if I fire low brass or target loads I'll have no problems at all, even after 3-4 box's of shells. Fire 1 round of #4's and the gun won't brake. I don't know if the increased energy is enough for the end of the plunger to travel above the lobe (or vis-versa). I can tell you the top tang is left of center when looking from above with the barrels pointed away from you.

[gunnut69]

The reason the gun is not unlocking is the position of the cocking plunger. You stated in a previous post that part number 35, the cocking plunger, was above the tail on part 29, the cocking lever. The why is what I'm after just now. Are the springs on these parts both good? Is there any significant wear on the bearing surfaces of these parts? Since you added that it appears to be a recoil related occurrence I would bet on a weak spring..most likely in the cocking lever(29) but possible I suppose for the plunger spring also,. Check the cocking lever carefully for chips or a broken tail.

Whoops! forgot the link to the diagram!
http://stevespages.com/ipb-stevens-311.html