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Posted: 3/10/2015 4:33:45 PM EDT
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Guys, I've got one of these riot shotguns in my safe that I've had for years. Was told that it was an old PD shotgun but can't confirm. Looking down the barrel, I can't see that its been shot at all. Stock has a bunch of dings in it and the finish isn't great so I know its a "shooter" grade gun.
Thats the point.....I'd like to shoot it but just wanted to make sure that it would be safe with some mild 2 3/4 loads? |
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They are built like tanks, I expect because they are a takedown model. I have a 620 in 16ga that i just love. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/johnrippert/Stevens620B_zps82e98b1a.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/johnrippert/Stevens620A_zps39e4a3da.jpg That's a stunner! |
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However...DO NOT shoot steel ammo through these older guns.
They were not made to handle steel shot and shooting any will destroy the barrel. Other than that, these were one of a class of old pre-war design "tank" shotguns like the Winchester Model 12, Ithaca Model 37, Remington Model 20 and other mostly forged and milled all steel guns that lasted forever. If it was a police gun the fact that it looks unfired but is beat up outside would stand to reason. Back then these were known as "Riot guns" and that's pretty much just what they were. Most police departments did not put shotguns in patrol cars they kept them in racks in the station. The guns were only issued out for riots, raids, manhunts, and hostage situations. As soon as the emergency was over, they went right back in the rack. Since they seldom got actually fired, but got beat up from handling, they'd last even longer than normal. In those days a police department didn't buy new guns every few years and sell the old guns. They sat in the rack, in some cases for 50 years or more, until in the 60's violent crime exploded and departments began putting guns in the patrol cars as normal procedure. |
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Just thought of something to add, be aware the 620 did not have a disconnector an thus can be "slam fired" so be careful not to depress trigger while functioning the slide with live ammo, it WILL go boom upon going into battery. That makes them more fun! |
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However...DO NOT shoot steel ammo through these older guns. They were not made to handle steel shot and shooting any will destroy the barrel. Other than that, these were one of a class of old pre-war design "tank" shotguns like the Winchester Model 12, Ithaca Model 37, Remington Model 20 and other mostly forged and milled all steel guns that lasted forever. If it was a police gun the fact that it looks unfired but is beat up outside would stand to reason. Back then these were known as "Riot guns" and that's pretty much just what they were. Most police departments did not put shotguns in patrol cars they kept them in racks in the station. The guns were only issued out for riots, raids, manhunts, and hostage situations. As soon as the emergency was over, they went right back in the rack. Since they seldom got actually fired, but got beat up from handling, they'd last even longer than normal. In those days a police department didn't buy new guns every few years and sell the old guns. They sat in the rack, in some cases for 50 years or more, until in the 60's violent crime exploded and departments began putting guns in the patrol cars as normal procedure. very good point on steel shot. most of your old stuff is 2 3/4 inch only also. I have a good supply of the old JC Higgins model 20's around here. mid 50's to early 60's built. hell Sadly I can't seem to find one the year I was born in 1958.  I have build dates 55,56,59, 2-61's
maybe before I die  and yes indeed I shoot these old scatter guns
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heres an old JC Higgins. NOT original riot tube, newer stock reblued, kinda a parts gun. still a solid milled steel receiver long before CNC machining LOL.
The old girl can still get it if you like to slam fire this is it. 2 3/4 only, no steel shot. she stays loaded here down stairs, slide release and the safety are the same as my winchester 1200-1300, and mossberg Maverick 88's. you can pick any of the 3 up in pitch black and run them through muscle memory. you get older it comes in handy if all your shit runs the same trust your shit ain't what it used to be when your in later 50's of age
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Quoted:
However...DO NOT shoot steel ammo through these older guns. They were not made to handle steel shot and shooting any will destroy the barrel. Other than that, these were one of a class of old pre-war design "tank" shotguns like the Winchester Model 12, Ithaca Model 37, Remington Model 20 and other mostly forged and milled all steel guns that lasted forever. If it was a police gun the fact that it looks unfired but is beat up outside would stand to reason. Back then these were known as "Riot guns" and that's pretty much just what they were. Most police departments did not put shotguns in patrol cars they kept them in racks in the station. The guns were only issued out for riots, raids, manhunts, and hostage situations. As soon as the emergency was over, they went right back in the rack. Since they seldom got actually fired, but got beat up from handling, they'd last even longer than normal. In those days a police department didn't buy new guns every few years and sell the old guns. They sat in the rack, in some cases for 50 years or more, until in the 60's violent crime exploded and departments began putting guns in the patrol cars as normal procedure. Ooh yeah, I totally forgot to mention that. Well you can shoot steel through cylinder bore guns but it will eventually score or ring the barrel so it's a really bad idea. Steel shot is generally harder than the old barrels and doesn't deform like lead. |
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yes ya got to watch on old stuff. hell I am old stuff now myself. alot of old fudd's like me got a little $$$ salted away so they kinda re-live they're days way back when we were youngsters
my dad never was a firearms guy. dang bless me I had 2 uncles that were big into it james is passed on now. I think all he owned was Brownings, big dollar stuff.
Larry is still kicking and bought me a shitload of stuff when I was a pup, 11-12- till I was 15, then he bought a house with cash. when he got out of Nam in 69. he stayed with mom and dad, a welder in the ship yards in lorain. worked big hours and spoiled me. Dang unk was good at poker and cards. I had more shit to shoot than ya could shake a stick at back then.  so an old JC Higgins model 20 pump was thrown in my lap one day. I had a couple single shots, an old Iver Johnson, and some other old single breakdown.
the old higgins then was like new when unk gave it to me 30 in.tube bead full choke pump. sadly I traded it in on a Ruger Blackhawk 44 mag in the early 80's. that old Higgins seen alot of field use trap lines, and small game use. so I come full circle and buy me old higgens pumps on gunbroker,and others.
back then I hand loaded with a little plastic mallet and some old lee stuff  thats the way unk showed me. kinda funny when I look back at those years.
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Shoot it with 2 3/4" shells, it will be fine. I have several 620 and 520 Stevens shotguns, both early and late models, they are all fine. I agree with the stay away from steel shot crowd.
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Other than that, these were one of a class of old pre-war design "tank" shotguns like the Winchester Model 12, Ithaca Model 37, Remington Model 20 and other mostly forged and milled all steel guns that lasted forever. What is a Remington Model 20? I have a Model 10, seen and heard of a Model 17(which is where the Ithaca 37 came from), seen and heard of Model 29(which was a product improved Model 10), own a Model 31 and own multiple 870s....not familiar with the Model 20....? |
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