Stevens Browning Model 620 question

[D23]

I have an old Model 620 12 ga. that my dad gave me years ago. Not sure of date of manufacture and can't find any info on that, but was probably built in the 1940's. He told me that I shouldn't shoot modern steel shot through it. Anyone know if that's true? Any other limitations? Also, it had a lot of surface rust which I recently cleaned up with some 0000 steel wool but doesn't have much bluing left now. Any suggestions about that? Thanks!

[wweigle]

I have a Stevens 520. The square back earlier version of your gun. I think you are right, I believe the 620 came out commercially after WWII. Both the 520 and 620 were used by the military during the war. The take down aspects of these guns make them unique . Don't forget that there is no trigger dis-connector in the gun so you need to release the trigger after each shot or it will fire each time with the closing of the bolt. I turned mine into a dedicated self defense gun given the take down capability and the trigger disconnect. As far as shooting steel. If your gun has a modified choke or less restriction you probably can get away with limited shooting of today's steel loads as these guns had reasonable stout barrels, but you may experience some issues with the softer steel these barrels were made of over time. At this point what do you have to loose in trying it given the fact that lead for hunting will be outlawed here in California a few short years. I think the 520 and 620 make better home defense and travel guns than hunting guns compared to most modern guns. Given the take down and slam fire capabilities. That what I dedicated mine too. Nice old gun, no matter what you use it for. The reason they don't make them anymore like so many Browning designs is not the obsolescence of the design, but the cost of producing them.

[D23]

Thanks wweigle!