Swaybacked '97

[p38buff]

I bought a Win 1897 a while back. I haven't had a chance to do any serious shooting with it yet, but I did take it to the range to get a pattern check. I was very pleased with the mild recoil (hard plastic butt plate) and tight pattern at 25 yards. It's a takedown model and while looking through the barrel after cleaning, I noticed a slight upward bend. Is this normal? It didn't seem to be shooting high at the range. How hard is it to straighten?

Any feedback would be appreciated.

[p38buff]

I guess I'll answer my own question. The previous owner must have been a trap shooter. The stock and forearm are from Herters and appear to be a trap set. (Not to be confused with a drum kit. Rim shot, please!) Upon scouring other forums I discovered that back in the day, trap shooters would simply bend the barrel up to raise the POI. Sounds crazy but I guess it works. So I'll leave it alone.

[aghauler]

I guess I'll answer my own question. The previous owner must have been a trap shooter. The stock and forearm are from Herters and appear to be a trap set. (Not to be confused with a drum kit. Rim shot, please!) Upon scouring other forums I discovered that back in the day, trap shooters would simply bend the barrel up to raise the POI. Sounds crazy but I guess it works. So I'll leave it alone.

Well it was good you were able to get some conclusive info, I wouldn't have had a clue. Thanks for sharing that info.

Is that "P38" as in the pistol or the plane?

[p38buff]

Both!! Plus the GI can opener (long time Scouter).

[aghauler]

Both!! Plus the GI can opener (long time Scouter).

My late father-in-law was a mechanic in the 9th USAAF, 474th FG, 428th FS in WW2 landed in France D+ 10 I think then operated from forward air bases 9read dirt and mud) all the way into Belgium and Germany in including the Ardennes Offensive. If you are interested in literature or videos re: the P38 Lightning PM me I think I have list around here of P38 stuff you may or may not be interested in. Gotta get up at 0300 for work so have to curtail operations here. for now.

There was a larger can opener wasn't there a P51 or something like that?