A friend has a model 530 A in average condition, I think it is a 12 ga. He asked me what it might be worth. I know I haven't given much description but thats all I have. Could you give approx. values please.
Good tough gun, I've seen them range from $150.00 to $350.00 (that last figure may be a bit high) in 12 gauge but not much more. Worth more as a shooter
Is the 530A anything like the Stevens 520 --- aka Ranger, Western Field, etc. etc. hardware store brands? Chopper
I saw one at a show over the weekend; I believe they had it priced at $300.
530A is the same thing as a walnut stocked 5100, I believe. Stevens 520 is a humpback pump made on the Browning patent. I have a Westernfield model 30; same gun as Stevens 520.
May Researcher will be along; sure he knows.
Those humpbacked pumps on John Browning's design may be ugly but they're damned good shooting irons. I have a 20 ga. Ranger with the suicide safety (inside trigger guard) and I can't seem to miss with it. I call it "ugly gun" but it's my go to gun for nasty weather or trips where I'm likely to take a fall (most of them}. On one of the other boards some "expert" said they were prone to loosening up because of their unique takedown system of milled grooves in barrel extension and receiver. Hogwash. It is a system far less likely to loosen than say a Model 37, an 870, of any other guns relying on tension applied by screw threads. That's about all I have to say except that the old humpback pumps were forged, milled steel, black walnut, coarsly checkered, and had lovely slim corncob forends. I love 'em, ugly or not. Handsome is as handsome does! Chopperlump
Chopper, mine is even uglier; has the original Polychoke with compensator on it; but I love it. First time I took it out, just hammering clays. And I marvel at the machining work on those old 'cheap' guns.
Just imagine what it would cost today to machine some of the parts on these oldies! The barrel stud on which the magazine tube bears is a work of art. And the receivers have recessed flats like a Remington Model 17, 10, or 29 to say nothing of the grand old Winchesters. I haunt the gun shows looking for these old guns. They will always be undervalued because no one less than 60 years old has any idea what they represent. A friend bought a mint 12 ga. from me awhile back. I asked him why he liked the gun and he said "one just like it saved my butt many times in 'Nam. Chops