In defense of the Stevens 311's. I agree that the earlier ones marked 5100 might be the better choice. That is what mine is, which was my fist shotgun. And it has not failed me yet. I never hesitate to take it out and put 50-100 rounds through it at the skeet field.
For what a good 311 with cost, you can't go wrong.
And it they do break, there are a lot of parts available.
Now the 311 is not to be confused with the 315. The 315's are much more prone to problems due to their internal design.

B.Dudley