The Stevens 311's never seemed that heavy or ill handling to me. I have one in 16 gauge choked IC/M . . .
I have my dad's old Steven's 311 in 16 ga M/IC . . . It obviously has sentimental value, and is the first shotgun I ever fired as a young boy. It is still a fine, trouble-free quail/dove/pheasant/duck gun. 16 is the ticket with this shotgun. It is slim, sleek, and relatively light weight.