A $173 MSRP shotgun from a respected manufacturer in 2017? While I can’t say I saw that coming, the utility of a single-shot, break-action shotgun in 12 ga, 20 ga, or .410 bore isn’t a surprise at all. New from Savage Arms’ Stevens brand is the 301 Single Shot and 301 Single Shot Compact. Press release follows . . .

STEVENS 301
Single-shot, break-action shotguns remain popular with practical hunters, and the new
Stevens 301 gets even more from the trusted platform. It features a crisp, reliable break
action and modern synthetic stock that stands up to hard use in the field. A variety of
gauges and configurations make it easy to find a model to fit any shooter.

FEATURES:
• Single-shot shotgun
• Break action
• Standard and compact models available
• Rugged synthetic stock

PART NO.    DESCRIPTION                   GAUGE   BARREL LENGTH   MSRP
22557               301 Single Shot                       12 GA         26”                                   $173
22558               301 Single Shot                       20 GA        26”                                   $173
22559               301 Single Shot Compact      20 GA        22”                                   $173
19201                301 Single Shot                      .410             26”                                   $173
19202               301 Single Shot Compact     .410             22”                                   $173

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79 COMMENTS

  2. What kind of moron pays $173 glorified pipe when you can just guy a used pump shotgun for that price?

    Honestly, people should be offended by this crap. It’s like all these idiots out there that still buy $3K break action double barrel shotguns. Come on people… just because it’s ‘from a respected brand’ doesn’t mean you’re still not getting screwed.

    • This moron. Besides that $173 MSRP. Street price and on sale will put that gun at $99-$89, bub.
      I could buy that on my male stripper’s salary.

      • Well $100 for a glorified pipe might be better, but it’s still over priced for what it does.

        And honestly, if you’re budget is so thin you can’t buy a used pawn shop shotgun over a glorified pipe then you probably should rethink your proprieties.

        • I’ve gotten burned on almost every ‘used’ gun I’ve bought. And it’s usually more of a headache than with new guns in getting them fixed.

        • Are you trolling? I mean I’d rather a new SS for $150 than whatever no-name used pump I could get for that.

          Expensive trap guns, yanno, there are people who can make a living at that sport. 5 figures for a gun is astronomical for me but I could see a pro paying it for perfect fit, better factory support and garunteed long service life. There may be diminishing returns but if it helps at all and one can avoid a 9-5 job…

    • If you knew anything about the market for finely crafted shotguns, you’d know that $3k barely qualifies as chump change. Tell us why your Mosin is worth its weight in gold again.

      • Isn’t it funny when people who don’t know a single thing about manufacturing start saying really stupid things?

        Just because a company goes out of it’s way to hand assemble everything in one of the economically inefficient ways possible doesn’t make it ‘finely crafted’. It just makes it more expensive. Since all these guns are still being on the exact same lathes and mills than a used on a modern more automated factory that churns out pump shotguns like their tapioca. What do you think companies like Bennelli do to make those really stupid $3K shotguns? Hire some artisan that’s been carving them out of raw steel and while classical music plays? No, they actually just run them on the same exact machines they uses for their cheapest guns and just build them slower with less people than they would use on something they’re selling a lot of. Bennelli just gets people like you to buy into their narrative about quality and leaves it at that.

        • Yeah. Those Stoeger Doubles are every bit as nice as Beretta Double.

          No difference at all in workmanship or function.

          Hope you’re not in charge of quality control …… anywhere.

          LMAO

        • And another FLAME DELETED enters the ring.

          I didn’t say ALL shotguns are the same any more than I said all brands are the same. My statement is about how brands LIKE Bennellie (that are mechanically simple yet very expensive) are that expensive not because of what they do but HOW they are made. Which is in a low volume and slow compared to most commercially produced firearms. And, again, just because you make it slower and more expensive doesn’t automatically equate to a better gun that can function better than

          And honestly… how many of you Fudds actually both own one of these ‘fine quality’ thousands of bucks a pop shotguns? And if you do… how often do you even use that thing? Sometime tells me not a single one of you put more than a few dozen shells through one EVER. Meanwhile I’ve completely lost count of how many times I’ve taken game and just target I’ve shot with my 70 something year old Mossy 185K bolt action.

        • As a trained professional in manufacturing, mechanical manufacturing engineering technologist, machinist and millwright, with years of experience I have to say, you clearly don’t have a clue. Your lips are flapping so hard you’re deflating that airhead of yours! Flame deleted? Sorry, but you’d have to actually had been ignited in the first place to have been deleted! Dim bulb would be a compliment! This is a copy of an H&R Pardner. http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/pardnerYouth.asp After Remington ended H&R production Savage acquired the license. They did the same with the Winchester 1300, now offered as the Stevens 320. I have a 320 Field Grade 12 gauge and its awesome! I just ordered a 301 in 20 gauge and I can’t wait!

    • Because some people like the look, feel, and utility of a single-shot break-open.

      FLAME DELETED

      • Well bully for them. And I’m sure some people like digging septic tanks my hand instead of using a back-hoe. Hey, you go right ahead and waste all your time and energy on substandard firearms designs. It’s everyone right to be a FLAME DELETED like that.

        • Well come out with your POS Mossy Bolt Gun and shoot a few rounds of clays against me with a Browning Citori.

          Or we can shoot some pen-raised quail for some live wing-shooting.

          Now I know the Citori is a sub-standard firearm design so you’ll probably win.

          I just want to see you hit that second “running rabbit” clay or that 3rd quail with that Mossy.

          The Citori is worn out because it’s had 4 thousand rounds or so through it. You shouldn’t have any problem.

          Of course you could probably know down some clays with your hubris. What a poltroon!

    • The first firearm I ever shot was a break action .410 that belonged to my grandfather. It is a lightweight, safe, easy to operate and inexpensive gun to introduce a child into small game hunting and the safe handling of firearms.

    • Break-action shotguns have a lot of benefits over pump-action shotguns.
      Sure, the pump-action has its place (home defense), but in many other ways the break-action has it beat.
      First of all, the break-action is nearly five inches shorter, second it’s lighter, third it’s more reliable due to its simplicity, fourth it’s the easiest to use due to its simplicity (no worries about short-stroking), fifth it will handle any length shotgun shells form 1.5″ Aguila mini-shells to 3″ or even 3.5″ magnum shells (if it’s rated for magnum shells).
      Sixth, and most importantly IMHO, as a survival gun, there are fully-rifled inserts available that let your break-action shotgun fire any pistol caliber, any revolver caliber, and a good variety of rifle calibers too including 30-30 Winchester, 7.62 x 39, 22 Hornet, 45-70, etc. (not .308 or .306 due to their higher pressures). These chamber inserts are available in various lengths such as 4″, 7″, 8″, 10″, and 18″, and FYI, none of these RIFLED chamber inserts will fit into your pump-action shotgun! One good source is MCA Sports (www.mcace.com), which lists the following twenty-two different calibers for their shotgun inserts for 12 gauge shotguns, fully-rifled for accuracy, in lengths up to 18″ long:
      22 LR, 22 Mag, 22 Hornet,
      218 Bee, 32-20, 32 ACP,
      32 H&R, 32 S&W, 30 Luger,
      30 Mauser, 380 ACP, 9 mm Luger,
      38 Special, 44 Special, 45 ACP,
      45 Long Colt, 45-70, 410 Shotgun
      30-30 Win, 38-55, 30-40 Krag,
      7.62×39

      FYI, you can’t put a 4″, 7″, 8″, 10″ or 18″ chamber insert into any pump-action shotgun! So, now do you see the utility of a single-shot or double-barreled break-action shotgun?

      • I’m not sure if you’re just referring to the shotguns listed above but my pump action is considerably shorter than the break action I’ve used…

        • Eremeya, what I mean, of course, is for the SAME barrel length, a break-action will be about four inches shorter.
          A 20″ barrel break-action will be about four inches shorter than a 20″ barrel pump-action.
          You’re probably comparing a pump-action with an 18″ barrel to a break-action with a 26″ barrel, and then of course your pump-action will be shorter due to the shorter barrel, obviously!

          • That makes sense. The guns I was comparing was an old Stephens (I think) break action with a 26″ barrel and a Mossberg 500 with 18.5″ barrel.

      • I have a few from Short Lane, and I can indeed put them into my pumps.
        Of course, I need to remove the bbl, insert the adapter, replace the bbl, fire, remove the bbl, and so on. But I can do it.
        They work so much easier in the coach gun, though. 🙂

        • I can put a 3″ adapter in my Mossburg 535 no problem. I can shoot 20 ga. or 410 doing so. work action comes right out.

      • @Derringer Dave

        BRAVO!!! I said basically the same thing, just not as detailed. I immediately responded to IT before reading further.

        NICE RESPONSE THOUGH!

    • 1) Find a “new” condition.410 pump shotgun for that street price. I dare you.

      2) Some of us don’t want (or need) a pump gun.

    • I hunt small game exclusively with a single-shot. It’s compact, light, easy to work, and having only a single-shot at a time makes me a more patient and responsible hunter. And at a reasonable price point, I don’t have to feel bad if it gets well-worn or banged up in the process.

      Did that answer your question? Or was it more of a rhetorical question where you had already established an opinion and weren’t really looking for answers?

    • Amen. Their own pump retails for under $200 new. The only reason I see for this one is when a single shot is preferred for beginners or whatever.

      • Jeff,

        Check out what Derringer Dave and I said and you’ll see that it is not “for beginners or whatever”.

    • @Noishkel

      If it is chambered for 3 inch, modern steel (likely since it is new) and medium choke, THEN you could use as a “muzzleloader” for squirrels and lets NOT forget that there are different caliber inserts you could use that make it a 12 gauge, 45, 357, 22 caliber, etc. That makes that “glorified stovepipe” a very versatile weapon. Why would you want to use it as a muzzleloader for squirrels, an unthinking individual such as yourself may ask? ANSWER: Because 1 lb of blackpowder and 38 caliber slingshot ammo makes ALOT of good “squirrel loads” for a lot less money. OTHERWISE KNOWN AS being a financially efficient hunter. Oh, I almost forgot. Have you ever tried to do that, INCLUDING using inserts, on a pump or semi-auto. YOU CAN’T! The pump or semi-auto might be more macho for someone such as yourself that NEEDS to bolster their own self image (explains your need to insult others with name calling, for example), however they are NOT as versatile. In addition, the single shot has less parts that can fail and is easily cleaned in a stream in the woods, whereas you cannot “as easily” clean a pump or semi-auto. NOW, go stand in front of a mirror, flex your muscle and (try to) puff out your chest and impress yourself, because it doesn’t look like you’re impressing anyone here.

    • There’s a market for this, especially in the youth platform. This would be great for teaching a trap shooting, especially if it ends up selling for $100. I’m considering this in 20GA specifically for that purpose.

  3. I will take a 12 and a 20. When the make a 30-30 and a few other centerfire rilfes, I’ll get those, too.

  4. Bought mine circa 1970. Made by Savage/Stevens for Sears. Has nice wood stock, handles 3 inch 12 gauge, 28″ barrel, modified choke. Paid $40. Good with low brass, uncomfortable with high brass. Reliable gun.

      • At the current price, it really is a bargain. My dad paid ~$35 for my first shotgun – a break action single shot with an automatic ejector. Everything else is about 10x what it was then.

  5. Nice to see a few companies picking up the H&R/NEF slack. These make great snake guns (if you miss on the first shot, you should be carrying a hoe or wearing track shoes instead of a shotgun), and even better teaching guns for beginning shooters. They are much easier than a pump for nearby shooters to monitor and visually check that the gun is empty and the chamber open.

    • Looking at the gun, the receiver looks identical to the H&R/NEF single shots. It wouldn’t shock me if Savage bought the tooling to produce them when Remington ended production.

  6. More reliable than some of the ARs people are building in their moms basement wearing a SEAL instructor T-shirt ! If someone would spend the time to learn to run one, this would be a formidable home defense weapon. If not, its still better than your fingernails !!

  7. While I love the fact that break action single shots seem to be returning,
    at $175 can we maybe get a bit of value added features ?
    Screw in choke systems ? More barrel lengths ? A variant wit rifle sights or a ghost ring ?
    At least one with a drilled and tapped receiver so we can add our own ?

    • My Stevens 301 20 gauge has single chokes. I like it is lighter to carry around. Trouble free shooting. I got mine new for a 100 dollars with a credit card offer. No complaints.

  9. If Savage ever offers the same service H&R did by fitting accessory barrels to the frame, I’ll buy one of these and a couple rifle barrels.

    One thing I’ll say is I hope they eventually offer one of these single shot shotguns with front and rear sights for better slug accuracy.

    • I hope so. Of note, Henry is also offering a single shot shotgun, but I think that one is going to be a bit more because of the wood stock and forend.

  11. Where is it made? If I remember correctly some of the Stevens line are made in China.

    I don’t know how much they run for now but my single shot H&R is made in USA and I paid 99 for it new in 2008.

    Whoops. Didn’t realize until just now they stopped manufacturing. that sucks.

      • That’s a freaking shame. They’ve been in business for a looong time and I really like my single shot. I’m not anything special shooting clay pidgeons but I’ve always shot better with it than any other shotgun I’ve tried.

        Their pumps and semis were made in china but even those seemed to get good reviews.

  13. With MSRP at $173, I have to imagine that actual retail price at gun stores with good prices will be around, what, $140? That makes for a mandatory buy of at least one for kicks (pun intended, it will be awfully light weight being break-action and all) and probably a second for a trunk gun, survival gun, or a SHTF gun.

    I like single-shot break-action long guns as survival guns due to their simplicity and reliability. The only thing that can realistically fail is the firing pin and/or spring.

  14. I don’t understand the excitement over a single shot shotgun. Here in the mountains, everyone has always had them and the farmers have them sitting around as tools. They are shot little and never wear out if they are cared for. I’m almost 70 and only recently “graduated” to pump shotguns. I found I never shot my 2 single shots once I got my 69 year old J. C. Higgins model 20 and a new Mossberg 500 so I sold them. They were nice but I sold them for $50 each as nobody was interested at $75. One was a H&R and the other was a Savage.

    • I probably bought them. Ha!

      I exclusively squirrel hunt with a single shot shotgun.

      It’s just fun. Takes me back to learning about hunting as a kid.

      • Never underestimate the pull of nostalgia. Us old farts like to remember when we were young and the gear we used back then or lusted after back then.

        We got disposable income and will spend it on things like the cars we wanted back then. Or guns. Or whatever else we were into then.

        • Hell yeah. I can only imagine the video games I’m gonna be buying when I’m in my 60’s and 70’s

  15. I was thinking this may have value as a youth gun if it was sub 100 USD in the wild, but I went and checked the prices on 22 rifles of reasonable quality. A Marlin Model 60 or 795 is less than 140 and the costs will quickly vanish with ammo prices.

  16. I have a variety of shotguns for a variety of uses. Semi. pump, break action. The single shot break action serves a couple of functions for me.

    Rabbit hunting. I walk long distances and the weight of a single pipe and 10-15 shells is easier on my old back. Squirrel shooting is done quite well with a single pipe.

    New hunters. Ranging from kids to middle aged folk. The single pipe is a good break in gun.

    And I’ve never seen anybody brag about using a bolt action shotgun and at the same time calling others a Fudd.

  18. I see a lot of these turning up in evidence lockers as NFA violations for the price point they will go.

  19. I bought a Stevens model 94 (?) with a Tennite stock(early plastic) SN#7, 12gauget30″ full. Only. about 6 lbs. ,interesting with heavy loads. Paid $15 at the hardware store in 1965. I was 13, so they called my parents for the ok.
    Small country town. Great weapon, esp for doves. Times have changed,
    & not for the better. To me it was a great shotgun. It is all a matter of your perspective and needs, so I try not to run someone down just because I do not agree with them.
    Vietnam vet, and retired police, so plenty of weapons exposure .

    • Yep. Mine came thru the mail from sears and it was 16 ga. That plastic stock set made it weigh maybe a little less than 6 pounds.

      Interesting with hi brass loads.

  20. I want a 28-gauger of this cut into a 9″ lupara. Not too useful, just as a toy. Wouldn’t be that expensive even with a new gun, stamp and gunsmith service.

  21. The old NEF/H&R break-actions just bowed out or production, so I guess Stevens is stepping in. Looks identical, but with plastic furniture instead of wood.

    These look a step up from the 100 dollar Hatfield break-actions that walmart is selling right now.

    As a trainer, I’d much rather teach a youngster with a break barrel then a pump gun.

  22. Okay, now that that’s all said and done, I have a question for my die-hard shotgunners:

    Can you stuff a .45LC in the .410 and have a decently viable close up deer gun?

    • No, no, and just in case I wasn’t clear, HELL NO!

      At least not with ANY guarantee of safety. Some .410s are almost comically overbuilt, but I wouldn’t risk my arms and face with any of them. In fact, the rounds wont even chamber in my own shotgun.

      Now some reloaders do use resized .45 brass for .410 round ball loads, but that is not the same as what you asked.

    • You can ONLY do that IF the gun was specifically made for it. For instance, H&R used to make a .410/.45LC barrel. It was designed specifically for this. A regular, standard .410 barrel and chamber is not designed to be used this way.

  23. This is the perfect gun for Taofledermaus and all those odd shaped projectiles he loves to shoot; many of which can’t fit in the chamber of his pump shotguns. Now if they’d only offer this in both smoothbore and rifled bore.

  24. I had a savage .410, my very first shootgun my dad bought for me in the 70’s. I cherished it. Which late 90’s someone broke in and stole it with other sentimental things.
    It was sweet. Light, little recoil, good for hunting and just easy to carry whereever I went. Snakes on diet roads, no problem. I miss it still today.
    Which I’m like to buy a savage 301 .410, just because it’s so well rounded and sentimental reasons as memories.
    But while I’m here, I’d really like Savage to make a single barrell 10 gauge shootgun. Just where I’ve always desired a 10 gauge shootgun from the earliest age.
    At the least they can make a 3-1/2″ 12 gauge magnum, as I’d like that too. The twelve is so versatille. Shoot 3-1/2″ for challenging game, 2-3/4″ for general shooting, then low brass for birds or just shooting for pleasure.
    But I’d still like to have their .410 shootgun, as it’s light, compact and though not a lot of power, it can do about anything. Be good if they put a variable choke, but the full was good with me. Which there were 2-1/2″ loads. Where carrying it on backroads or waterways for snakes, just too sweet. Fine shot, one is sure to get em. Then little recoil. So convenient. Where I really cherished my .410.
    Which I’d take before a 12, which is more versatile in power and can do more with, but if Savage came out with a 10 gauge, 3-1/2″magnum, I’d really like that too.
    Which if I recall, they used to make double barrels, side by sides. Which a side by side .410 you know would be sweet. But I’d like it where I could select which barrel to fire, and most specifically, the means to fire both barrells at the same time. Interchangeable chokes of course. Then I have this fetish for external hammers, where I have Anyway I always liked external hammers.
    Which apply this to a 12 gauge too. I think it would be a big success. I could be mistaken, but some would doubt, even with marketing analysis, however, I think it’d be something critic’s would doubt, but when marketed, I’d think would sell like hotcakes. As many nice guns that are reliable, they’re also expensive. Which I’d think there’d be a large number of people who would like something more affordable and simpler. Also easier to clean.
    For someone that enjoys the outdoors, a simple shootgun as a double barrel with external hammers, exchangeable chokes from .410 to 10 gauge, shells can be loaded with Rockdale or other material to dying nuisant animals without killing them, to gathering something special for dinner, to a very effective means of protecting ones’self and family, whether using nonletal sounds to lethal rounds. I’m a critical scenario, an auto or pump could hang, all it’s have to be is it to be that one time. With a double barrell, one barrell don’t fire, no time is lost using the other barrel. Which breach the barrel, some had strong electors kicking the hills back over your shoulder, where two more shells in hand fall readily into the barrels without effort and fast, then snap the barrel is closed.
    Which many single barrels and double barrels are light or were. With synthetic stocks with built in recoil protection, I’d bet a double barrel shootgun would be lighter and more comfortable to shoot than pumps and autos. I liked pumps and autos, but there’s my first love also. Which you have a good thing, something new comes along, it’s human nature to desire it. Which starts a marketing/production trend starts leaving the old behind and things get better naturally. But sometimes sweet simplicity and affordable prices are forgotten. Some products have been gone back to but with modernization implemented that makes the old refreshing but better. Look at the 1960 Mustangs, as well as the Shelby. Sleek looking and so much more powerful. Or the Dodge Charger.
    Again, double barrel shootguns with external hammers, selection of which barrel to fire or both, exchangeable chokes, synthetic stock with recoil shock absorber design. The simplicity of it avoiding any crucial shot from a misfire or hang up, where the other barrel can immediately be reverted to. The better metallurgy of today making a lighter stronger barrel, even titanium main assembly which would be lighter and would never rust.
    Hmmmmm, I believe it’s be well liked and word of mouth would sell it. Where I’d like such especially in a .410 shootgun.
    Which savage used to have over and under shotgun/rifle combinations. How that’d go??? Who knows? A deer Hunter with a close shot can use the shotgun barrel for assisted kill, but if whatever game is out of range for the shootgun, revert to the rifle barrel.
    Which a good shooter should have confidence in that one shot. Which a double barrel is so there’s one piece of supper and another one for tomorrow’s breakfast you don’t want to miss. Firing both barrels, well that’s an alternate course, highly beneficial to a .410, but with a 12 gauge or even a 10, the recoil would be more, but recoil stocks would take most of that away, where a long distant shot the pattern would widen our quite a bit, throwing both barrels during as a single shot would hurl more shot, improving the number of pellets that hit, where some have made compromises shots wounding an animal for it to go off and for sometimes, where piling in the pellets could deter that.
    Just seems like that’s be one of the finest shootguns around and at a more moderate price than the pumps and autos, less moving parts to mess up and I don’t think Savage would have any competitors.
    Say it, let’s all want it. Which who wouldn’t like such a shootgun?
    Less bulky too. Which a 20 gauge or 16 for a woman would assure all the protection she’s need and so easy to handle.
    If Savage reads this and takes a chance on it, it’s be nice if they’re remember me.
    As I’d like the bigger guns where the 12 is so versatile, but the .410 is so convenient and shells used to be much cheaper. Snake gun, or if dinner flies over.
    Y’all have a good one and mention y’all would like to have this design for yourselves too and Savage might make it get us.

  25. Remember, we want a line of side by side double barrel shotguns from .410 to 10 gauge with interchangeable chokes, external hammers set we can choose which barrel or both if we choose, with a recoil synthetic stock to remove much of the recoil, then possibly a titanium trigger/hammers-receiver to lighten the weight as well as preventing corrosion, which with fewer moving parts, well machined, hardened and smoothed, reliability would be number 1 of this firearm again smoothed it polished, which can be done at home, so powder and dirt doesn’t stick, which with fewer moving parts, less parts to be affected and even if dirty, it shouldn’t drastically affect performance. Which one other thing, we want a qualitysmooth squeeze for the trigger so the trigger is easily squeezed to fire the shotgun, in contrast to those that he to be pulled, to assure we stay I target when shot.
    Can I get a 2nd on this?
    Only extra item needed and not really needed, but for convenience would be a loader that already holds two shellsto coordinate dropping two rounds in the chamber after the breach removed the spent shells. You know so we’re not fumbling with a second shell that got out of line as we rushed to reload, fingers fumbling over each other.
    Returning to a simple, consistently reliable shotgun that’s more convenient, comfortable and lighter than pumps and autos, where two shots are fired simultaneously, or back to back faster than the pump or auto for 1at two rounds for the average shooter, and not necessarily any criticaltime delay during off two more as m any states limit the chamber to 3, but if your are needed, a fourth has to be loaded in a pump or auto requiring more time than out sweet double barrel.
    Talk to Savage everyone, this would be a fine shotgun. Which should be cheaper, much cheaper than the pumps and autos.

    • “Anybody actually own and shoot one of these?”

      There is a certain amount of time between the announcement of a new product, and when it actually appears on your local store’s shelves.

      • Had a 301 in 12 Ga. bought a full choke and had a fancy sling I painted it cause it seem to rust more than a blued gun, Had it in a floating case BUTT when I flipped over in motor boat I lost it and a few other thing I wish I had secured. I do believe I will buy another. If anyone found it(floating case) they did not tell me. I ran add in Louisiana Sportman. Well I liked gun other than safety. bought the choke cause BUCKSHOT was better from full and Mod. is all I could find. I lost three knives (at least )each cost about as much as that gun, the way I had them dressed. I will get another!

    • Yes, just got my 301 in 20 ga. last week, I opted for the compact model. It is the same receiver as the H&R / NEF break actions, except they have added a (stupid and unnecessary) safety on the left side which I switched off and ignored. Fit & finish are not bad for a gun with a synthetic stock and applied coating. Nice features are push-button forend removal and breakdown, and a Winchoke-threaded barrel with supplied modified choke tube. I have fired some skeet loads, a couple of medium field loads and a couple of homemade wax slug loads through it. It patterns “OK” for a modified choke on a 22-inch barrel with shot, and loves the wax slugs. It’s light so after 10 rounds or so you’re noticing the punch to the shoulder. I paid $170 including shipping & FFL paperwork, and I feel it’s worth it. Hard to have that much fun for that little money.

  28. Can’t believe it but I read all the replies, other than those two micrometer length essays on nostalgia.
    I have all sorts of shotguns, expensive, cheap, in between, pumps, singles, doubles, old and new.
    Each has its own use and appeal.
    No need to blockage in what you know it think you know. To each his own … Opinions and uses.
    My opinion is the new Midland Packpacker at $140 beats this Savage 101 in value and practicality. That’s why I bought the Mid land first.
    But the 101 beats the NEF/H&R because of the choke tubes and button release forearm. So, it’s my next purchase.
    I do love the NEFs, have them in all gauges, so not slamming old school.

  29. I had purchased an H&R Pardner 12ga about twenty years ago for $76.99 + tax… loved it until a guy I was trying help out and get back on his feet decided he needed it more than I did… off to jail he went on multiple charges… I’d been looking for a replacement but the price of the H&R NEF had gotten crazy and the Midland, the Hatfield, and some others just appeal to me… so about 4 years ago when Stevens introduced the 301 I snatched one up for $149 out the door. Swappable chokes in Win-Choke threads, tooless breakdown, composite furniture… hard to beat. Sadly, yes it is made in China (US import laws is why it has that rediculous safety) however if you take a small flathead screwdriver you can tighten the safety set screw to lock the safety lever to fire position and never worry about it becoming engaged. With the transfer bar it’s perfectly safe to keep a shell in it with the hammer down.
    I also have an 8″ rifled insert from Chiappa chambered in 9mm, rotate the insert so the notch is at the 6 o’clock position so the ejector doesn’t interfere and with just the front bead I’m able to place rounds at 35 yds into a 3″ circle and do so fairly quick as you can pull the spent brass with fingers, none of that BS like with Shortlane where the insert needs to be removed and spent brass poked out or having to use a pocket knife to pry the spent brass out.
    Overall it’s a nice set-up and I like as much if not just bit more than my original H&R.
    Well worth $150 for the utility, ruggedness, and features of swappable chokes plus tool-less breakdown.

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