Stevens 511 Spring??

[Paladin UK]

Ho pards...... Gotta question fer ya`ll regardin...Stevens 511  Springs

I am in the process of turning me 511 into a coach gun, as I`m gonna be shootin Holy black outa her I`ve only chopped the barrels ta 24ins.
I`ve done quite a lot to her and she`s comin along fine.
I notice that Brownwells sell a set of reduced springs for it. Now my problem is that Iffn I kin save a few pennies I will!!

With my #92 I followed Maurauders BRILL instructions and I got me a #92 that sings!!! The main cure for most of its probs wuz SPRINGS and was cured by taking a few turns of the offending springs  I`ve followed some of the Stevens info he`s put on his site

So cut to the chase can I do the same with my 511 rather then buy a full set of reduced power springs

Paladin (What likes ta save a penny or two ) UK

[Pettifogger]

Try it and see what happens.  The Stevens/Savage shotguns have pretty much vanished from the American cowboy scene so I haven't worked on one for a while.  The only problem you may have is spring pre-load.  The stock springs are very stiff, but when you put in the hammers and push them forward to compress the spring to get the hammer pin in you only need to push them a little way.  If you cut the springs they may have no pressure on the hammers when they are at rest.  Weaker springs are generally made from smaller wire.  BUT, are generally longer so they will still have adequate pre-load when the hammers are seated.  The guns are simple box locks, but the hammers can be a little difficult to get back in.  What usually works is to put the receiver in a padded vice and to use a standard flat blade screwdriver to seat the hammer.  Put the blade on the sear notch and push in the hammer with one hand while wiggling in the hammer pivot pin and tapping with a hammer with the other hand.  Once one side is done, do the other side.

[Paladin UK]

Fer Pettifogger.
Thanks for that pard, I will give it a go,and let ya know how I get on.
I really like this shottie, What attracted me to it was... its TANK LIKE receiver (`n` the engraved pointers reeel cute too  ) It looks like it will last forever, secondly its  `ALL AMERICAN` Not Ruski!!
I aint the fastest shooter in our club (Never will be usin HB) But I dont care `cos I lurv the smoke `n` fire `sides, I was a top PP shooter so...been there done that!! Now jest shoot purely for fun `n` tell ya what, its a lot more enjoyable!!

Paladin (Whats gonna give his 511 some welly tonite ) UK

[Montana Slim]

Not familiar with the 511, but I have a 311...It needed some attention 10-12 years ago. I fitted new firing pins & installed a Brownells reduced power spring set. I was able to compress the mainsprings (barely), by hand, using an old screwdriver with two ground "V"s in the end to push on the spring. Good thing I was a stout young man at the time. I'm only 160 lbs today...Today, I'd never get them buggers in there.

While I had it apart, I took the opportunity to grind/file out some of the casting parting line which was in the area that the mainsprings operate. This reduced drag & really improved the action. I also had to manufacture a small torsion spring, used to reset the cocking lever. I also slightly ground the cocking lever to allow it to stay open a bit more than factory.

Turned out beautiful & works great...still has the 30" tubes ....but, I find I use one of my hammered guns more often these days.

best to ya,
Slim

[Capt. Augustus]

I did the hammer spring replacement once.  It took 15  minutes to get them out and 11 hours to get the new ones in.  When it became apparent I needed a left sear, which no spares exist on earth plenty of right sears, I parted the gun out and bought a Stoeger.

Another adventure in my gunsmithing career.

[Paladin UK]

Ho Slim.....

Thanks for the input pard 

I am waiting for my reeeeplacment spring set from Brownells (Should be here ikn the next couple of days), the innerds were in a reeel bad state!! I`m gonna to a little piccie show of the whole episode once I ve finished

Paladin (Whats enjoyin makin his coach gun  ) UK