The 77 is a design that's was around for quite a while. The earlier Model 30 used some of the operational ideas before that.
The Model 77E was made famous by it's 12ga Riot version used in VietNam.
The shotgun went through lots of versions A,B,C,,ect.
The F was available is all gauges including 28 IIRC
Takedown can be a pain at times.
Some of the versions have a fixed bbl (non-TD) so you have to remove the stock and then the trigger group to then get at the bolt and the rest of the parts.
Overall they are pretty good shotguns, not a Model 12 but they hold up pretty well.
A worn shell stop (cartridge stop) sometimes ties up the action functioning. It makes the user depress the slide release each time to open the action after firing a round instead of being able to simply pump the slide to the rear.
A little bending, some cleaning up and it's usually back in service.
It takes a lot of wear and sometimes no cleaning at all to get that way. But some people seem to think all guns are self cleaning.
Firing pins break occasionaly, but no more likely than on most other guns I don't think.
Simple coil spring powered extractors. Coil springs through out the gun.
The butt stocks on the 12ga versions seem to be beset by cracks up by the frame. I think it's operator error and rough handling more than design fault, JMO of course. Doesn't seem to happen in the other gauges very often.
Maybe it's just that there's more 12's out there,,maybe more 12's have been taken apart and the stocks not put back in place securely.
Don't know.
Parts are generally available from Numrich and other dealers. The small bore specific parts are in short supply, but generally the 410 is built on the 'small' action so it's mostly a 20ga gun. There are some 410 specific parts but they shouldn't be things that wear away to nothing with normal use. Things like a bolt, carrier,,bbl and mag tube.
410 anything shotguns seem to carry a premium and so do the Model 77's.
I've seen them priced as high as $400, but I don't know if they sell for that. Seems like the 12ga guns are in the $100/$150 range if in nice shape (except the Riot guns of course).
I would think a 410 Model 77 in nice condition would be priced under $300 if someone really wanted to sell it. $250/275 more realisticly.
The current Mossberg 500 in 410 sells for around $300 to $375 off the rack locally though the retail is $4something.
Depends on how much you like a used Stevens 77 over a new Mossberg,,or do you like any of the new stuff and just like the older stuff like me!
If the gun does not have a ser#,,it was made pre 1968 (they started making them in early 50's I believe.
Ser#'d guns are post 1968 and I think the 77 was made into the early 70's.
