C&R Desecration

[billybob_jcv]

I'm thinking of getting into Cowboy Action Shooting. For the their shotgun, most CAS shooters use either a sife-by-side coach gun or a 20" 1897 Winchester pump - and all the top shots use the 1897 pump. There are a few replicas available, but their reliability and smoothness are not the best, and everyone I have talked to recommends using an authentic 1897. Authentic 1897's are available, but as CAS becomes more and more popular, nice examples of the short-barrel versions are getting more expensive and harder to find. I have recently seen some reasonably priced & nice 28" & 30" versions - but the collector in me says that chopping the barrel on a 50-100 year old gun is the worst kind of unholy desecration. If I had unlimited funds, I would just spend the money to get a really nice 20" 1897 (or 2 of them to make sure one is always working) - but I don't have that kind of money to sink into a new hobby - especially since I will also need 2 SAA revolvers and a lever gun!

So - I ask - would you take the hack saw to an 1897 Winchester just for a game you plan to play once or twice a month?

[1-M-42]

Can you just get an extra barrel??

[Robidouxs]

Here is a $150 barrel you can cut up:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=257192123

[billybob_jcv]

Yeah - that's probably the way to do it - buy an extra barrel to cut down so I can put the gun back in it's original form if I want to sell it that way. I guess the big question is whether it is more cost effective to buy another barrel and have it cut, or find a nice original 20" 1897. Cool - more research - my favorite part!

[morrcarr67]

Not a CAS but I do like Coach guns. If I got in to it I would probably go that way.

But I'm not you. If I were you I would probably go the two barrel route on that 1897.

[TheExpertish]

Would running the longer barrel be that much more difficult? I love my 1897 and wouldn't dream of cutting it's original barrel. I say get what you want, or get an extra barrel to hack.

[gunboat]

Seems to me a double is more authentic. Not many cowboy shootem-ups after 1900 --

[billybob_jcv]

Well, as I said, many of the top shots all seem to shoot pumps because they are supposed to be faster. CAS is certainly all about playing cowboy - but it's still a speed competition - and where there is a contest with a timer - people will only go so far to stay authentic before the need to be competitive takes over...

The reality is that I will NEVER be competitive - so I probably should just get a coach gun - it would be cheaper.

If you want to see why I will never be competitive, check out this video of an AWESOME kid shooting CAS - This 12 year old apparently has the old guys shaking in their boots at the national level! BTW, he shoots a coach gun, so clearly, *IF* it is done right, it CAN be done fast!

[savasyn]

Wow, that kid is crazy fast!

[morrcarr67]

WOW

That's very cool.

[novalondon]

I would love to see him in action and meet his coach.

[cheapblaster]

Don't mess with that little dude!

[1-M-42]

Gawd.....watching that video makes me feel.....old.