Savage Stevens 320 Security12 Gauge Pump-Action Shotgun
Welcome to the Stevens 320 Security 12 Guage Shotgun Review! This comprehensive review will explore the features, pros, cons, and benefits of the Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun. We’ll provide you with the information to determine whether the Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun is the right choice for you.
Table of contents
About Stevens Firearms
Stevens Firearms is a historic American firearms manufacturer founded in 1864 by Joshua Stevens in Massachusetts.
The company began as a small operation making single-shot pistols and eventually became a leading producer of firearms in the United States.
Stevens Firearms is well-known for producing a wide range of firearms, including shotguns, rifles, and handguns, with a reputation for quality, durability, and reliability. In 1920, Stevens Firearms was acquired by Savage Arms, and today, the brand continues to produce firearms under the Savage Arms name.
History of the Stevens 320 Security 12 Guage Shotgun
The Stevens 320 12 Gauge shotgun is a relatively new addition to the Stevens Firearms product line, having been introduced in 2011.
The Stevens 320 shotgun is built around a proven pump-action design used in shotguns for generations. Due to its affordable price point and reliable performance, the shotgun has become popular among hunters and firearm enthusiasts. The gun is available in various configurations, including a standard model with a black synthetic stock and forend and models with a pistol grip and folding stock for enhanced maneuverability.
Unboxing the Stevens 320 Security
The Stevens 320 shotgun comes packaged in a cardboard box with foam inserts to protect the firearm during shipping. Inside the box, you will find the shotgun itself, a user manual, and a cable lock for securing the firearm.
The shotgun comes with a barrel that has not yet been installed. So, depending on how much you know about shotguns, it can be a good chance to get introduced to the manual. Don’t worry; installing the barrel will take about 2 minutes. As far as unboxing goes, this one is pretty uneventful, but the shotgun does look great.
Always follow proper safety protocols when handling firearms, including wearing appropriate eye and ear protection and keeping the firearm pointed in a safe direction at all times.
Stevens 320 12 Guage Shotgun
The Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun has a sleek, matte black finish with a synthetic stock. The barrel length is 18.5 inches, and the overall length is 38.25 inches. Be mindful that we will cover one configuration this shotgun comes in; there are many options. The one we are reviewing is a basic budget configuration.
Stevens 320 Specifications
- Gauge: 12-gauge
- Action: Pump-action
- Chamber: 3 inches (accepts 2-3/4-inch and 3-inch shells)
- Capacity: 5 rounds (4 in the magazine tube and 1 in the chamber)
- Barrel Length: 18.5 inches
- Overall Length: 38.25 inches
- Weight: 6.6 pounds
- Stock Material: Synthetic
- Sight: Fixed Sights and Bead Front Sight
- Finish: Matte black
- Chokes: Fixed Cylinder
- MANUFACTURER: Savage Arms
- MFG MDL #: 19486
- UPC: 011356194862
- MSRP: $289.00
Action
The Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun features a pump-action mechanism. To operate the shotgun, the shooter must use the foreend to manually slide the action back and forth. This chambers a round from the magazine tube and ejects the spent shell casing.
The pump-action mechanism is reliable and time-tested, making it a popular choice for hunters and shooters who require a robust and dependable shotgun for various shooting activities. Additionally, the action is easy to operate.
Barrel and front Stock
The Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun’s barrel length is 18.5 inches, shorter than that of other shotguns on the market. This makes it ideal for close-range shooting, such as in self-defense or hunting situations where a quick reaction time is needed.
The front stock of the Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun is made from synthetic materials, which helps to reduce weight and provide a comfortable grip. It has checkering or texturing to provide a non-slip grip. I found the slide easy to use, and the tolerances felt tight and well-made.
Capacity, Gauge, Magazines
The Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun is a pump-action shotgun with a magazine capacity of five rounds. This includes four shells in the magazine tube and one shell in the chamber. The shotgun is chambered in 12-gauge, a common gauge size for shotguns that balances power and recoil.
Regarding magazines, the Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun features a tubular magazine located underneath the barrel. This magazine holds shotgun shells and allows for quick and easy reloading.
Controls
The Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun has a simple set of controls. First, the pump-action fore-end chambers and ejects rounds from the magazine tube. To operate the shotgun, the shooter must hold the fore-end and slide it back and forth to cycle the action.
The pump action release is located behind the safety on the left side of the trigger guard. It looks like a round button.
In addition to the fore-end, the shotgun features a safety switch on the trigger guard.
Ergonomics
Regarding ergonomics, the Stevens 320 12 Guage is comfortable rising to the shooting position and manners well. I found it rather light at 6.6 pounds unloaded, and overall, it’s well-balanced.
Although there’s nothing to say about ergonomics here, it feels like almost any other quality-made 12 gauge security shotgun. Although I do have to say, the stock feels pretty dam good. The cuts on it, the weight, and the extra padding are all a plus.
Finish
The Stevens 320 Security 12 Gauge Shotgun has a black matte finish on the receiver, barrel, and other metal parts, giving it a sleek and tactical look. I am a fan of the overall finish.
The black matte finish on the Stevens 320 Security shotgun is achieved through powder coating. Powder coating is a dry finishing process that electrostatically applies a fine powder of colored pigment and resin to the metal surface. The coated metal part is baked in an oven, where the powder melts and fuses to form a tough, durable, and attractive finish.
The Stevens 320 Security shotgun’s black matte finish provides several benefits. First, it reduces glare and reflection from the metal surface, making the shotgun less visible and easier to use in low-light conditions.
Secondly, the finish protects against corrosion, scratches, and other types of wear and tear that can occur over time.
Frame
The Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun’s frame is made of durable and lightweight aluminum alloy. The receiver is machined from a solid block of aluminum, providing high strength and rigidity while keeping the shotgun relatively lightweight.
The shotgun’s frame features a standard design common to many pump-action shotguns. The magazine tube runs underneath the barrel and is connected to the receiver at the front of the shotgun. The pump-action fore-end is also connected to the receiver and is used to cycle the action, load, and eject rounds from the magazine tube.
Safety
The Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun features a cross-bolt safety, which many pump-action shotguns also have as a standard safety. The trigger guard’s safety is located on the trigger guard, and you can conveniently engage or disengage it with your thumb or pointer finger.
A red circle is visible on the button when the safety is off. This indicates that the shotgun is ready to fire. When the safety is engaged, the red dot is not visible, and the firearm is in safe mode.
Remember to use muzzle control and handle your shotgun as if in firing mode, regardless of the safety position.
Sights
The Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun features a standard front bead sight that many shotguns have. The sight is a small, round bead located at the end of the shotgun’s barrel, enabling the shooter to aim and align the shotgun with the target.
The front bead sight is easy to use and intuitive. It’s a simple design that allows you to acquire their target and aim accurately and quickly.
Final Stevens 320 Security 12 Guage Shotgun Review Thoughts
Shotguns haven’t changed a ton over time and theres nothing to special about the Stevens 320 until you look at the price. It retails $289.00 but they go on sale regularly.
Price to value this is a solid gun. I see primary use for this shotgun as recreational shooting and security. For just over or under $200, this is a solid chioce. There are many pump action 12 guages in this class out there. Most you can pay a lot more for, that aren’t going to deliver that much more, if any.
This may go without saying but if you are planning on hunting or competitively shooting trap or skeet, this wouldn’t be the shotgun I would choose.
FAQs
I would consider the 320 Field Grade seems to me to be a better chioce .
Yes, the Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun is easy to use, with well-designed controls and a smooth action.
Comfortable and well-balanced in hand, with an ergonomic design that allows for easy handling and maneuverability.
Yes, many users report that the Stevens 320 12 Gauge Shotgun is a highly reliable firearm that functions consistently.
