Winchester 1897, what do you think?

[MosinVirus]

$395

12 Gauge; 10% blue, very good bore, very good stock, 30'' barrel, Mfd 1914. Full choke. 2 3/4 chamber. LOP 13 3/4. Finish is mostly gray with light scattered patina. Wood has normal nicks and scratches. Original checkered Winchester hard rubber butt plate. Bore is bright with some light pitting.

Yeah, I know the pics are huge.








I will make her into a beauty

[smle-man]

There are enough around that aren't pitted for not much more, I would pass.

Just an FYI but as a former owner of three much used 97s over the years, none of them were reliable shooters. Their age worked against them and each had chronic issues with parts worn out or springs breaking.

[beerman]

I think you did fine OP...I've always loved the 97s. If that gun could talk!

[Nra-Life-Member]

It looks like a win.

[MosinVirus]

There are enough around that aren't pitted for not much more, I would pass.

Just an FYI but as a former owner of three much used 97s over the years, none of them were reliable shooters. Their age worked against them and each had chronic issues with parts worn out or springs breaking.

Thank you for the info. I personally never shot one and have no idea what it would be like, but I do plan on trying to restore this one. The sales guy said that spotting is just spotting, not pitting.

I think you did fine OP...I've always loved the 97s. If that gun could talk!

Thank you. It would certainly have stories to tell

It looks like a win.

Thank you.

[SimpleCountryActuary]

There are enough around that aren't pitted for not much more, I would pass.

Just an FYI but as a former owner of three much used 97s over the years, none of them were reliable shooters. Their age worked against them and each had chronic issues with parts worn out or springs breaking.

Doesn't gunparts.com (Numrich) have Winnie '97 parts? I have a couple of Winnie '12's and have replacement parts for those.

The '97's were very well made. They stopped making them because the labor cost was too expensive. The half cock safety ... well ... you've heard of the expression "going off half cocked"? Don't rely on half cock safeties.

[huntingsocal]

I recently snagged one too in worse condition, haven’t picked it up yet. Got it at “wall hanger” price so worse case it will go up in my office

Good to know there might be parts out there as I’d prefer to shoot it

[MosinVirus]

Pics, pics, pics. As soon as you do pick it up of course.

[fal_762x51]

That condition looks like mine, and I paid $150 about two years ago.

[MosinVirus]

That condition looks like mine, and I paid $150 about two years ago.

Oh well, guess I am not as lucky.

[huntingsocal]

Pics, pics, pics. As soon as you do pick it up of course.

yeah will do, I didn't have one on my radar at all but snagged it for under $200 OTD so I figured I might as well jump down the C&R shotgun rabbit hole and see where it takes me

[19K]

where are you guys finding them so cheap? I sold mine years ago and I would like to replace it haha.

[huntingsocal]

where are you guys finding them so cheap? I sold mine years ago and I would like to replace it haha.

Mine was sitting in my friends office (FFL dealer), after the third "Hey I'll make you a good deal on that shotgun" I went for it.

[RudyN]

[Pofoo]

Make it a riot gun?