The Savage Stevens 320 is a dependable and budget-friendly pump-action shotgun, perfect for hunters and shooting fans who want good performance without spending too much. It’s a great choice whether you’re buying your first shotgun or need a reliable backup.
In this review, we’ll talk about:
- Real user experiences
- Unique design features that set it apart
- Tips for keeping it well-maintained
- Suggestions for both fun and defensive use
The Stevens 320 has a rotating bolt design known for its reliability, with roots in Winchester. We’ll go over important details like barrel options and magazine capacity to help you decide if the Savage Stevens 320 is right for you.
This review is part of our larger series on enjoying the outdoors, which includes helpful information on hunting, fishing, homesteading, and sustainable food practices. Whether you’re into hunting, fishing, or living off the land through homesteading, our guide offers key tips for connecting with nature and leading a rewarding life.
A Short History of Stevens Firearms
Stevens Firearms has a long history that started in 1864 when Joshua Stevens founded J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. The company quickly became a top name in gun manufacturing, creating new designs that greatly influenced American shooting sports.
This legacy is not just about the guns; it also reflects a wider tradition of skill and craftsmanship in the industry.
Early Years and Innovations
Stevens Firearms built its reputation by making high-quality single-shot rifles and pistols. Their focus on precise engineering led to the development of several innovative firearms, like the popular Favorite model rifle and the dependable Crack Shot series. These guns have become favorites among outdoor lovers, including dedicated deer hunters like Olivia Gaeleb, who recently received a scholarship for her commitment to hunting.
Stevens Firearms also meets various hunting needs, whether for [moose hunting](https://northhuntfishclub.com/tag/moosehunting) or [whitetail hunting](https://northhuntfishclub.com/tag/whitetail), making them a popular choice among hunters in different provinces across Canada.
Acquisition by Savage Arms
In 1920, a significant change happened when Savage Arms bought Stevens Firearms. This merger combined Stevens’ skills in making shotguns with Savage’s established presence in the market, creating a stronger brand focused on providing affordable firearms for American shooters.
The acquisition not only broadened the product range but also helped better meet the varied needs of customers. With this new team, Savage Arms was able to compete effectively in the market, ensuring that their firearms became more than just tools—they became part of the treasured memories and family traditions of American shooters.
Ongoing Innovation and Growth
Under Savage’s leadership, Stevens focused on innovation while keeping prices low. The brand reached a milestone in 2011 with the introduction of the Stevens 320 shotgun. This pump-action shotgun was designed for beginners, offering features usually found in more expensive models at a lower price.
The Stevens 320 quickly became popular, especially among new buyers and those on a budget. Its design, based on the reliable Winchester 1300 platform, provided dependable performance while staying true to the brand’s commitment to affordable firearms.
But our innovation journey continues. With advertise with us, we aim to connect with outdoor enthusiasts who value quality firearms and are searching for their next purchase. Our community is full of eager learners and loyal fans in the outdoor industry, making it a great place for brands to make an impact.
Looking ahead, we also see the importance of developing skills in areas like gardening or fishing. If you’re thinking about starting a garden nursery, now is the time to start planning.
Additionally, our community covers more than just firearms or gardening; it’s also a hub for outdoor activities like ATV riding, hunting for bucks, or even trolling on a boat during summer. We encourage members to share their experiences and tips about these activities, creating a valuable resource for everyone.
In summary, whether you’re interested in firearms, gardening, or any outdoor activity, our platform provides a space for you to explore and connect.
Important Specifications
The Savage Stevens 320 has key specifications that greatly affect its performance and flexibility. Let’s look at the main features that influence your shooting experience:
Improving Your Outdoor Activities
If you plan to use the Savage Stevens 320 for hunting or fishing, it’s important to know how its specifications can improve your outdoor experiences. Whether you’re looking for wild game in Ontario or trying to catch big brook trout in local rivers, this shotgun’s versatility can be very helpful.
Checking Out Urban Fishing Locations
If you’re interested in urban fishing spots within the city, the Savage Stevens 320 can be a dependable partner for your outdoor adventures.
Making Smart Choices for Other Activities
Understanding the main specifications of this shotgun will also help you make smart choices for activities like surf fishing or tracking deer in remote areas.
Barrel Length Choices
- 18.5-inch barrel: Great for home defense and moving around in small areas
- 28-inch barrel: Best for hunting and sport shooting, giving better accuracy at longer distances
- Longer barrels help spread the shot pattern better and reduce kickback
- Shorter barrels make it easier to aim quickly and handle the gun
Chamber Capacity and Loading
- Holds 5 rounds total:
- 4 shells in the magazine tube
- 1 shell in the chamber
- Works with both 2-3/4″ and 3″ shells
- Easy loading through the bottom port
- Shell capacity meets hunting laws in most states, making it great for different hunting trips
- Compatible with standard shells, allowing flexibility in hunting strategies, whether you’re targeting deer or other game.
Weight and Balance
- 6.6 pounds when empty
- Balanced design helps reduce tiredness during long shooting sessions
- Light enough for easy handling
- Heavy enough to help control recoil
The Stevens 320’s features offer a good mix of usefulness and practicality, making it great for different shooting needs. These aspects come together to create a shotgun that works well in various situations while keeping the user comfortable and in control. This flexibility is especially helpful for dedicated hunters who need a dependable firearm for hunting different game, from birds to larger animals like whitetails.
Additionally, the light design of the Stevens 320 is perfect for wingshooting, allowing for quick aiming and shooting. The balanced design not only helps prevent fatigue over time but also improves accuracy, which is important for successful hunting trips.
When paired with other hunting gear, like those that help with fish scents or programs like the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation’s initiative to connect hunters with landowners to manage too many nuisance animals, the Stevens 320 can be an important tool for outdoor enthusiasts.
Exploring Design Features and Mechanism
The Savage Stevens 320 shotgun uses a dependable pump-action system, which lets you load shells by sliding the front part back and forth. This setup gives you complete control over each shot and lowers the risk of mechanical issues, making it a reliable option for different shooting situations.
Great for Various Outdoor Activities
Savage Stevens 320 shotgun tough design makes it perfect for many outdoor activities, whether you’re hunting moose in Canada’s forests or catching large rainbow trout in calm waters. The versatility of the Savage Stevens 320 also makes it an excellent choice for ice fishing trips in Ontario’s hidden lakes during winter.
Built to Handle Outdoor Conditions
Additionally, its strong build can endure the challenges of outdoor use, whether for hunting or fishing. This is especially important when addressing wildlife management issues, where durability and reliability are crucial.
Key Design Features:
- Dual action bars prevent sticking during use
- Smooth front-end movement reduces shooter fatigue
- Cross-bolt safety is easy to reach
- Rotary bolt head ensures a secure lock
The rotating bolt design, inspired by Winchester’s successful models, creates a strong locking system. When you cycle the action, the bolt head rotates to engage multiple locking lugs, spreading stress evenly across the breach. This design provides:
- Better extraction reliability
- Easier shell feeding
- Less wear on internal parts
- Consistent lock for accurate shooting
The Stevens 320’s action feels sturdy during quick cycling, although some users notice it gets smoother after breaking it in. Applying a light amount of good lubricant on wear points can help improve performance. The rotating bolt design works especially well with magnum loads, ensuring reliable function under higher pressure.
In addition to its great design features, the Stevens 320 is also a flexible firearm suitable for different hunting situations. Whether you’re catching bass in Ontario or exploring the wilderness with a new hunting rifle from the latest trends, this shotgun can meet your needs.
Moreover, as gun control measures become stricter in Canada with recent bans on certain firearm models, it’s important to stay updated on these changes and how they impact your ownership and use of firearms.
Real-World Performance Insights
Testing shows what the Savage Stevens 320 shotgun can and can’t do. After several shooting sessions with different types of ammo, this shotgun works well with 2-3/4-inch shells, especially with standard birdshot. While birdshot is a common choice, lead ammunition has raised concerns because it can harm wildlife. This problem remains important even though people are aware of the risks of using lead in hunting and fishing.
Pattern Distribution
- At 25 yards: Keeps tight groupings with #7.5 shot
- At 40 yards: Displays good spread with #4 buckshot
- Pattern consistency: Performs well with various shell brands
Field Performance Notes –
Recoil Management
Moderate kick with standard loads.
Trigger Pull
A bit heavy but reliable.
Target Acquisition
Quick with fiber optic sights.
Some users have reported issues that need attention:
- Break-In Period Requirements
- The first 200 rounds may feel stiff.
- The action gets smoother with regular use.
- It’s a good idea to clean it before the first use.
- Common Challenges
- New units may have rough pump action.
- Loading the magazine tube can be tough.
- Sometimes, shells may not feed properly.
If you’re interested in field performance for hunting or outdoor activities, it’s important to know how these factors can affect your experience. Recoil management, trigger pull, and target acquisition all play key roles in the field.
Also, understanding the break-in period requirements for your gear can really improve its performance. The first few hundred rounds might feel stiff, but it will get smoother with use. Cleaning it before the first use can help prevent common issues like rough pump action in new units or trouble loading the magazine tube.
Besides these performance notes, think about the environmental factors when you’re out in the field. For example, if you’re planning a sub-tropical garden for spring, knowing the local climate and soil conditions is crucial for success.
If you’re experiencing delays due to the recent Canada Publish strike, keep yourself updated on how this might affect your outdoor plans.
Finally, if you take pets with you into the field, having a first-aid kit for dogs is highly recommended. It can be very helpful in case of accidents during hunting or other outdoor activities.
Quick Solutions
- Smooth contact surfaces with fine sandpaper
- Use good lubricant on moving parts
- Check and tighten all visible screws
- Clean well after each use
The Stevens 320 works well for recreational shooting, managing quick shots without serious problems. Its accuracy is what you’d expect from a shotgun in this price range, making it great for both clay shooting and hunting.
Whether you’re into black bear hunting, deer hunting, or need tips for the upcoming season, the Stevens 320 is a flexible tool that can fit different hunting situations.
Versatile Uses: From Home Protection to Fun Shooting – Savage Stevens 320 shotgun
The Savage Stevens 320 is great for fun shooting activities. Its lightweight design makes it perfect for long clay shooting sessions, and the fiber optic sights help you keep up with fast-moving targets. The 28-inch barrel version is excellent for skeet shooting, offering the right balance that casual shooters enjoy.
But this firearm is versatile beyond just shooting sports. It’s also useful for hunting, whether you’re after waterfowl or other animals. Plus, it serves as a dependable choice for home protection.
Outdoor Fun
Aside from shooting and hunting, the Stevens 320 can be used for outdoor activities like beach fishing at beautiful places such as Carlsbad Seashores. This area is known for its stunning views and recreational options, making it great for both fishing and enjoying nature.
Capturing Nature’s Beauty
For photography lovers, the Ontario Northern Boreal region has amazing landscapes perfect for taking beautiful pictures. With clear lakes and vibrant seasonal colors, it’s truly a dream location for photographers.
The Savage Stevens 320 is more than just a gun; it’s your ticket to various outdoor experiences and fun activities. Whether you’re trying out archery, discovering new fishing spots, or capturing nature’s beauty through photography, this versatile shotgun can handle it all.
Benefits of Recreational Shooting:
- Easy to handle with light target ammo
- Comfortable for long shooting sessions
- Fast target spotting with fiber optic sights
- Works well for both still and moving targets
For home defense, the Savage Stevens 320 shotgun has its pros and cons. The 18.5-inch barrel version is easy to maneuver in tight spaces, making it a good choice for home protection.
Besides home defense, the Stevens 320 can also be useful for outdoor activities like hunting or fishing. Its manageable recoil and comfortable handling make it great for various outdoor situations. For example, when surf fishing at Del Mar Beach, the quick target spotting feature can help you find specific types of fish.
If you’re looking to catch big bass, the lightweight ammo of the Stevens 320 can help reduce recoil while allowing for accurate aiming.
Additionally, if you ever need to forage for food in the wild, the comfortable handling of the Stevens 320 during long use can make that task easier.
Home Defense Considerations: Savage Stevens 320
Advantages
- Short length helps prevent overextension
- Easy to use
- Dependable pump action
- Affordable ammo for practice
Limitations
- Basic stock design can’t be adjusted
- Few options for adding accessories
- Safety placement needs practice
- Standard bead sight may need an upgrade
The shotgun holds 5 rounds, which is enough for home defense, but users might want to add a side-saddle shell carrier. The synthetic stock is tough and can handle regular use in different weather and storage conditions.
While the shotgun is great for home defense, it can also be used for hunting and fishing. For example, if you plan to use your shotgun during the fall walleye bite, a prime time for catching this fish, you’ll need to adjust your fishing techniques.
In addition to fishing, you can hunt game like grouse with the shotgun. However, hunting grouse in wet weather requires some changes in your approach.
If you’re going surf fishing after practicing home defense, make sure to have a good cooler to keep your catch fresh. You can check out the best coolers for surf fishing to enhance your trip.
Lastly, if you’re looking for alternative bait for fishing, consider finding great fishing baits at grocery stores and pet shops that are effective and legal.
Tips for Keeping Your Savage Stevens 320 in Great Shape
To keep your Savage Stevens 320 shotgun working well, pay attention to these key maintenance steps:
Shop KingsCamo.com- Cleaning: Clean the barrel, action, and stock regularly to get rid of dirt and moisture. Use a bore brush and cleaning solvent for the barrel, and a soft cloth for other parts.
- Lubrication: Put gun oil on moving parts like the action and trigger. Don’t use too much oil, as it can attract dirt.
- Inspection: Check your shotgun often for any signs of wear or damage, especially the barrel, stock, and recoil pad.
- Storage: Keep your Savage Stevens 320 in a cool, dry place. A gun case or safe can provide extra protection.
By following these tips, you can help ensure your Savage Stevens 320 stays in great shape for years.
Important Cleaning Steps for Your Hunting Gear
- Clean your gun’s barrel after each use with the right-sized bore brush.
- Wipe the metal parts with a little gun oil.
- Take out and clean the magazine tube spring every three months.
- Check and lubricate the action bars once a month.
- Regularly check and tighten all mounting screws.
Following these steps is crucial to keep your hunting gear in great shape for your next trip.
Common Issues and Solutions – Savage Stevens 320 Shotgun
- Rough Action: Smooth out the areas where the bolt meets the action bars
- Feeding Problems: Check the magazine follower for any damage and replace it if necessary
- Sticky Trigger: Use a dry lubricant on the trigger assembly
- Light Primer Strikes: Clean the firing pin channel well
Recommended Upgrades for Your Shooting Experience – Savage Stevens 320
- Add a heat shield for longer shooting sessions
- Upgrade to a better recoil pad for more comfort
- Install a tactical light mount for home defense
- Use a side-saddle shell holder for faster reloads
- Get an extended magazine tube to hold more rounds
Also, if you’re interested in outdoor activities like surf fishing at Mission Beach or trying out surf fishing at Coronado Beach, these upgrades can improve your overall outdoor experience.
Storage Tips
- Store in a controlled environment, similar to the climate zones that affect gardening in Canada.
- Use silica gel packets in your gun safe to soak up extra moisture.
- Keep the action slightly open while storing for better air flow.
- Apply a protective coating before long-term storage to keep your shotgun in great shape.
Make sure to test your shotgun after any maintenance or changes. A well-maintained Stevens 320 can work reliably for many years of regular use.
Final Thoughts on The Savage Stevens 320 shotgun
The Savage Stevens 320 shotgun is a solid choice for an affordable and practical shotgun. It performs reliably and is priced well for both new and experienced shooters. This makes it perfect for outdoor activities like hunting in the Great Lakes region, where its versatility shines.
However, it’s important to recognize the environmental issues that come with these activities, like the invasive quagga mussels affecting the Great Lakes ecosystem. These problems also harm local wildlife, including fish species like the Ontario whitefish, which are declining due to these invasive species.
Still, with responsible hunting practices and awareness of environmental concerns, there are many opportunities for fun outdoor experiences. Whether you’re joining programs like the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation’s Girl’s Outside Weekend or trying bowhunting with safe treestand rigging techniques, the outdoors offers plenty of adventures waiting to be discovered.
Key Strengths:
- Great value for your money
- Dependable pump-action system
- Useful for everything from hunting to home protection
- Easy to use, even for beginners
With the October 2024 solunar calendar for Ontario, you can plan your hunting trips better. The dependable pump-action system makes this product perfect for various uses.
This product is effective in hunting and is simple enough for beginners to handle. This is especially helpful for those new to the world of hunting and fishing, which are our passions at North Hunt Fish Club.
Also, knowing how fish sense vibrations with their lateral line can improve your fishing experience. This special ability helps fish survive and is an interesting point to think about when you’re out in nature.
Things to Consider:
- Some plastic parts may not feel high-quality
- The smoothness of the action can differ from one unit to another
- The finish quality is average
Your shooting needs and budget should help you decide what to buy. If you want an entry-level shotgun that works well without costing too much, the Stevens 320 is worth checking out. For experienced shooters looking for top features or competition-level performance, you might want to look at more expensive options.
The Stevens 320 does a great job of being reliable and easy to use at a good price. It’s a smart choice that shows you don’t have to spend a lot to get a trustworthy shotgun. However, keep in mind that some features, like the use of plastic parts, might make it feel less premium. Also, the smoothness of the action can vary between different units, and the finish is just okay.