I've been kicking around the idea of picking up a take down 12ga. for a while but, have been put off on the prices for Mod12's and finding '97's not to my liking. While doing my research and looking through a book on US military shotguns, the Savage/Stevens 620 caught my eye. 12ga pump, easy take down, designed by JMB himself........I had to check it out. Digging a little deeper, I found that these were also produced under the Western Field brand for Montgomery Ward's dept store. A quick trip to gunbroker found a couple of examples. Most had a good bit of patina from years of honest use. last week I found a clean example in TX that already had the bbl shortened to 18.75" and had a newer recoil pad. The controls are pleasantly conventional for anyone raised on the crossbolt style safety of the 870. The latch release is easily engaged with the thumb of the shooters right hand and is located at the rear of the trigger guard.

I just brought her home this evening. Take down is very simple.
1)Pull the pump all the way to the rear
2)Turn the magazine tube counter clockwise until the retaining lug clears its recess in the receiver
3)pull the bbl assembly down about a quarter inch
4)slide the pump with action bar fwd and out of the receiver
5) pull the bbl assembly out the remaining distance and dismount from the receiver.

Now I need to get to the range with some OObuck , figure out how to attach a sling up front , and find a good storage bag.





ETA- Ordered one of these cases from Skinner Sights on 5/24.(borrowed their pics)

Thx for the link to Fortier's article. I remember seeing the original article in G&A and I think it planted the seed in the back of my mind for this shotgun. I cleaned it a bit this weekend and added an Israeli sling that I had sitting in one of my bins. Right now, I used the A2 buttstock adapter from an old Specter 3 point sling and a loop of 550 cord around the lug under the bbl to mount the sling. While it may be possible to add an elastic side saddle with some wide velcro to the receiver , I am on the fence. Prob just keep it simple w/o.

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USA/ref/TM/pdfs/TM9-285.pdf

This is the .pdf of the US Army 1942 all shotguns manual. Might be a good start if you'd done a detail strip. IIRC Wood or someone else has a published shotgun/firearms disassembly manual with a chapter on these guns. I haven't been brave enough to detail strip mine.

I'm sorry I saw this thread, because now I badly want one of these shotguns. I think it would look great with a 18.5" barrel and a bead blasted, parkerized finish. Could you please provide the Montgomery Wards model number? There aren't many of the Stevens 620 or 520 guns for sale.

Have you shot yours yet? How does it pattern with a cylinder bore? Is the barrel of sufficient diameter to have it threaded for choke tubes?

I bought one last month, mine would be the older brother to the OP's model. The front end has been at the gunshop waiting to get the barrel shortened. Very cool shotguns imo, and when you hold one you really know you are holding a solid chunk of steel. Mine needs the recoil pad replaced, but still for $150 I think it was well worth it.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=280035275

From what I have found on-line mine would be the same as a Stevens model 520A and the Stevens 520 would be the model that had the "double hump" receiver.

SB60A Seems to pattern fine. The bbl on mine is 18.75. Looks shorter though. Seems to have plenty of meat for choke tubes but, I'm no expert. The stock seems a bit long but, I'm sure I could get that trimmed back.......now fitting a pad, I'm prob SOL........no idea how to do part

SeanC. Nice catch on the 520. I kinda like the humpback w/tang safety. I paid more for mine but, then again it was already shortened with a fresh recoil pad. I'll look fwd to seeing pics of your when it's finished.

Three???? Thanks for not sharing, lol. Pics please.

Yes I have a Mod 30 same as yours but with the hump back,and they have the winchester 94 type buttstock (top screws hold it on) so you can cut it off

into a pistol grip .

Bob

You guys are going to hate me, but a few years ago at a local gun show,
I bought a Stevens 520-30 U.S. marked 20" blue riot pump shotgun from a
walk-in, I paid him his asking price of $150.00, very nice condition shotgun.
Great day, but I can tell you of lots of gun shows that I have come away with
nothing, but you have to get up and go to the show. A few months back at another
local gun show I picked up a Remington 870 riot shotgun, 1968 vintage, with the
State of Texas metal tag on the buttstock, excellent condition, $250.00. A few weeks
later I found another Remington 870 riot shotgun 1972 vintage, same State of Texas
metal tag on the buttstock, same price, $250.00 from a pawnshop. Right place at the
right time...... Collectors Firearms in Houston, Texas, has or had one exactly like these
two 870's and they are asking $925.00.....

I love these old Stevens take downs. I had an old beater Stevens 520 "square back" and made it a faux trech by cutting to 21 and adding the trench handguard. reparked, added rear military swivel and Garand sling –– looks tough. Its the smoothest shotgun I've got - maybe due to 90 years of putting meat on the table - worn smooth. These are fun guns, very tough. I love the 620 too, Yours looks great - I need to get one. The last 520 I bought was like $100 but needed a new buttstock. They can show up cheap sometimes. In case anyone needs replacement wood - Boyds had stocks for them.

Found a good vid on Youtube that's worth checking out regarding these guns. NOT my vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJc443gdILc

If you get on midway and search for a pachmayr recoil pad, in the description will be links to their selection guide (recommends style for your use) and application chart (lists height and width dimensions for each pad). Once you pick your style, it is just a matter of measuring your stock width and height and choosing small, med, or large pad. You don't want to plan on grinding too much by getting the biggest as a one size fits all attempt, as the pads are not solid and you can grind into the recoil absorbing pockets if you get the wrong size. The grind to fit is pretty easy with the right jig and a vertical belt sander, but if you don't have those it is probably better to just let a gunsmith do it (PM me...)

For a gun like these, I would recommend the "sporting clays" style of pad as they have a hard plastic rounded over insert molded into the top of the pad that slides easily on your clothing when shouldering the shotgun quickly. Thats what I go with on my tactical builds. You can see what I'm talking about on this 1100 I did:

Nice find OP!
I like that bag, mine is currently stored in an old Violin case,
(Due to the fact I cant find a decent takedown case/ bag for a decent price)
It's a 1962 Model 12 Winchester, which I believe was also designed by JM Browning?


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