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Winchester 1897

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  • DANNO45

    New Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Nov 14, 2008
    11
    1
    Fort Collins, CO
    I have an old Winchester model 1897 that I bought in a pawn shop back in the 70's. I am toying with the idea of cutting off the barrel to 18-20 inches and using it as a home defense gun. What think ye?
    DK Firearms
     

    kawi jm

    Member
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    0   0   0
    Oct 12, 2008
    72
    1
    It really depends on the shape of the gun. If the action and stock are pristine, you might consider it a collector gun as is. If the stock is rough & the action has some rust or scratches.....go for it. The gun as a HD platform is very good. Rock solid and nothing will stop it from firing (for the most part).
     

    kawi jm

    Member
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    0   0   0
    Oct 12, 2008
    72
    1
    In that case, chop away! Pics of the beast when your done would be awesome. Does it have the 8 round tube on it?
     

    phatcyclist

    Active Member
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    Feb 22, 2008
    882
    21
    Austin, TX
    I'm not 100% sure, but I believe they have no disconnector. I think you can hold the trigger down and pump the action and it will fire each time the pump is fully forward.
     

    Joat

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Apr 28, 2008
    381
    11
    Kenefick, TX
    phatcyclist is correct in that the 1897 does not have a disconnecter and can be slam fired. Hold the trigger back and work the action and it turns into a pellet hose.

    I have cut many of these old shotguns down for cowboy action shooting and not felt bad about a single one of them. If someone wants to give you grief over cutting down a "valuable collectors piece that's worth $XXXX", give them the option to buy it from you at that price. When they refuse, tell them to mind their own business and cut away. 19 to 20 inches is a good length for this gun as they handle real well at that length.

    I would suggest that before relying on a gun that is (at least) 52 years old for HD have it checked out by a smith that knows these old guns. There are a few things that can break or jam up on this design that will either render the gun unreliable or turn it into a single shot.

    There is even an old school modification that can be done that will allow you to have it broken down (if a take down model) with a fully loaded magazine tube. All it requires is a drill bit and a grenade pin

    Joat
     
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