Scosgt, that is the "story" on the M520-30 that can be found in print in several places, including Canfield but it's just a story based on a misunderstanding of what really happened at Stevens. The 620 replaced the original 520 in 1927 as the flagship pump for Stevens. The 520 was then dropped from Stevens catalogs in 1929 relegated to trade and store brand production until it was replaced by the 520A in 1940 (also only trade and store brand). It's the 520A, that was new and in full production that was renamed the 520-30 for the military contract. Because you don't see them in Stevens catalogs, people think they were discontinued but over 200K 520 shotguns were made between 1927-39 and 30K 520A shotguns were made between 1940-42. The 520A continued in production after the war until 1948 with over 100K made (including wartime 520-30 production).
Last edited by Keydet92; 03-18-2017 at 05:44.
James,
I'm a collector and researcher of Stevens 520/620 shotguns.