I came into a Stevens 520 that needs parts, and most of what I need the parts people don't have. Is there anybody that specializes in early Stevens guns? I'm told this is a 1929-30 manufacture store brand 520...
Numrich
Brownells
eBay
-- NDG
Dave: Parts can still be obtained from a number of sources. Numrich comes to mind, the other is that fellow in Arizona (Dave's?). Look for a long sting of posts over on Shotgunworld (shotgun ID and value forum, currently page 3) on the 520. For years...(& largely because of some ongoing nefarious activities in Chicopee Falls) there was simply no cohesive information on these John M. Browning designed guns, making them, sadly, JMB's only red-headed step-children. Good information on them does now exist.
Also on the Shotgunworld webpage, look for Okiemarine's fairly definitive 520 Identification Guide in the Shotgun ID and Value archive section. Also, here:
http://www.gunvaluesboard.com/stevens-520-and-520a-identification-guide-2617.html#comment-7683
Beautiful gun. I love the way this one goes "clack-clink" when you work it "smartly" like the WW2 Army manual says to.
Already been chatting with OKMarine. That's how I got the 1929-30 date. As to mentioned vendors,
Brownell's "doesn't have parts for obsolete guns."
And Numrich and Ebay don't have most of the parts I need. Mine's an early gun, not a 520A or 520-30, and the lifter spring is a V spring. I would very much like to find one place that had the rear trigger guard screw, the V shaped lifter spring, and the slide lock release spring. At $8-10/order, getting the parts from multiple sources can get costly for shipping.
Thank you. That one's a store-branded 20 (made from 1930 to about 1940). About the only version I haven't tracked down and tried is the 520a version (single hump) in 20-gauge. You may have to pony-up for a parts guns if what you need isn't available anymore. Also, what parts you find may need to be field-fit (ie. hand-fitted) to your particular version of the gun.
My advice would be to sell what you have in parts and get another shotgun. Local Cabela's had 12ga 520 in good shape for $200. If you want classic pump gun I would spend $50 to $100 more and buy old plain barreled Ithaca 37. It is better handling gun and spare parts can be had from Ithaca Gun Co. of Ohio.
Also look up The Gun Garage. And Outback Gun Parts.
My advice would be to sell what you have in parts and get another shotgun. Local Cabela's had 12ga 520 in good shape for $200. If you want classic pump gun I would spend $50 to $100 more and buy old plain barreled Ithaca 37. It is better handling gun and spare parts can be had from Ithaca Gun Co. of Ohio.
If you want a classic M37 track down a Remington M17....
Already have a 37. Have had a Winchester 97 and a 12, too. The 520 was the last of the shotguns that'll shoot every time you work the handle if you hold the trigger I didn't have. I have a slight pinched nerve in my left arm, and at least to me the 520 is easier to operate than the 37. Longer pump stroke, though. Thanks for the leads, and I'll see what they have.
I have a 520, it's a nice gun, real puzzle to take apart and put back together. I would probably sell it and buy another if I needed a part.
Boats
