winchester 1897 questions

[JTecalo]

I have a chance to purchase a 12gauge m97 winchester and wanted to know what are some things to look for when checking it out before purchase, besides the obvious cracks, missing screws, dents.

the serial I was given indicates it was made early 1911 and was told it is a takedown model with a 20" barrel marked full (internet indicates this may have been chopped), with good blue.

they are asking 475.

any info will be appreciated.

[bohoki]

they are neat but operate kid of weird unless you want it purely for nostalgic value there are better cheaper options

you have to keep your hand low or you will pump the bolt into your web of your thumb

[JTecalo]

...purely for nostalgic value...

This pretty much, I have a Mossberg 500 20" for home.

you have to keep your hand low or you will pump the bolt into your web of your thumb

Yeah I saw an article on how it was winchester's version of the M1 thumb.

Depending on what it looks like when I actually see it I may pass. I don't NEED it, just think it would look cool with my Dad's Whitney-Kennedy 44-40(if I ever get it away from my brother)

[blazeaglory]

New for $450

[FastFinger]

AKA "The knuckle duster"

[JTecalo]

New for $450

I saw those but I think the fact it is over 100 years old and a winchester is what appeals to me.

I'm just looking for some info from guys that have them or have worked on them as to what are the areas to inspect for damage. I would like to shoot it, but it won't be my EDC shotgun

[smokinjohn]

Winchester 1897 questions

I would load the magazine and see if it will feed the shells from the magazine. I would use snap caps or make up some dummy rounds. You can use live rounds if you are in an area that it is safe to do so.

The tube should hold 5 if the plug has been removed. If the gun will feed and eject from the magazine I would check and check the "flag" on the right side of the action, it should drop as you close the action. If it doesn't drop it can cause an AD.

If you plan on shooting the gun use light loads. They all have short chambers and used roll crimped paper shells. I use mine a lot, but I had the chamber and forcing cone lengthened.

Parts are available and you can stoke the magazine and slam fire away!

John

[JTecalo]

I would load the magazine and see if it will feed the shells from the magazine. I would use snap caps or make up some dummy rounds. You can use live rounds if you are in an area that it is safe to do so.

The tube should hold 5 if the plug has been removed. If the gun will feed and eject from the magazine I would check and check the "flag" on the right side of the action, it should drop as you close the action. If it doesn't drop it can cause an AD.

If you plan on shooting the gun use light loads. They all have short chambers and used roll crimped paper shells. I use mine a lot, but I had the chamber and forcing cone lengthened.

Parts are available and you can stoke the magazine and slam fire away!

John

Thanks John, I will be checking it out tomorrow night.

Another quick question... if the original gun was 28-30" barrel FULL choke, then cutting down the barrel to 20" loses the choke and makes the 20" barrel CYL...correct?

[blazeaglory]

Yeah I hear ya. I was looking into buying one as well and someone had told me that the metallurgy from the time period is weaker than that of today so that kind of threw me off.

Also who ever you buy the gun from you should have them disassemble it to make sure nothing is cracked and worn or misaligned in the barrel and chamber area.

I have some pictures of a model 1897 taken apart to show you what to look for. If you want send me an email and Ill forward you the info that was sent to me.

blazeaglory@hotmail.com

[JTecalo]

Yeah I hear ya. I was looking into buying one as well and someone had told me that the metallurgy from the time period is weaker than that of today so that kind of threw me off.

Also who ever you buy the gun from you should have them disassemble it to make sure nothing is cracked and worn or misaligned in the barrel and chamber area.

I have some pictures of a model 1897 taken apart to show you what to look for. If you want send me an email and Ill forward you the info that was sent to me.

blazeaglory@hotmail.com

Thanks for the pictures, now I can see the difference between a good adjustment ring vs a worn out one

[Jeffy]

I'd buy it if the price was right. I like them more then the Mossberg 500 which everyone here seems to worship. Disconnect for the trigger means slam firing fun. Cut the barrel to 20" and turn it into a Riot or keep the long barrel. The take down model means you can break it down pretty small, if the barrel is short.

[JTecalo]

I'd buy it if the price was right. I like them more then the Mossberg 500 which everyone here seems to worship. Disconnect for the trigger means slam firing fun. Cut the barrel to 20" and turn it into a Riot or keep the long barrel. The tack down model means you can break it down pretty small, if the barrel is short.

The barrel is already cut to 20" I'm told. I think the owner wanted to make it a riot gun.

I think with light loads it would be fun to shoot if it's not beat to death from hard use over the last 100 years. I should know tomorrow night.

I like my Mossberg 500 8 shot but there is something about a vintage firearm that really appeals to me.

[kendog4570]

Slightly off topic, but check out "White Heat" with James Cagney, for some good 97 riot gun action.

[renardsubtil]

Another quick question... if the original gun was 28-30" barrel FULL choke, then cutting down the barrel to 20" loses the choke and makes the 20" barrel CYL...correct?

Yes.

Don't use any modern or magnum loads, stick to the light loads for buck shot and slugs (<1200fps) and you'll be fine.

The takedown feature is nice to have but I've taken mine out to camp a few times (I own a Jeep Wrangler with a hide-a-trunk) and the thing that bugs me the most is the Action Slide, it's free to move around on the mag tube and quite honestly I've bent/broken one already because of this, so I'd recommend a nice tight fitting case if you decide to take your apart your 1897.

People pretty much mentioned everything needed to consider. Make sure you look at a few youtube videos on the takedown process to familiarize yourself with it if you want to ask the owner to show you the adjustment rings to see how much life is left there. Remember when you screw back in the Mag tube to the receiver, it should be very easy, do NOT force anything.

Stripping down the shotgun is a total !#$%@# though. I have a complete stripe down guide I found on the net, if you PM me, I'll email it to you. I highly suggest completely stripping it down if you decide to jump on it though as 1) it'll help slick up the action and 2) there's a LOT of gunk in these shotguns built up over the 60+ years they've been in circulation.

[chuckdc]

Slightly off topic, but check out "White Heat" with James Cagney, for some good 97 riot gun action.

Or, check out "The Untouchables" with Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert DeNiro. They have '97s all over the place in that one. And 1911s. And Thompsons. Hard to improve upon that.