doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Win. 1897 as a serious duck gun?

I really don't know where to go to seek information about this other than here. If there is a more appropriate place, please point me there and I will not soil our double gun forum with pumpgun stuff.

But until then ..... nothing about early repeating shotguns screams ducks to me more than a '97 Winchester. Grandaddy told me he used one very effectively drifting the Savannah River for ducks for many years. Even though I am a dedicated and true double gun man, I find myself wanting a '97 duck gun like Grandaddy might have used. But, I know nearly nothing about them. And, I have lots of questions.

Go somewhere else to get my questions answered, or ask here?

SRH

I don't know why you couldn't, except for having to purchase non-toxic shells safe for the barrel.

Almost all M97's were made with full choke. I happen to own a factory "Mod" but it is one of the only I've seen.

But a lot of them are far less than collectible condition, so opening the choke wouldn't hurt value... might even elevate it if you had something like Briley thin wall chokes installed. The stock might crack with high vel. steel loads, or might last forever. But you might do better to run 1200 FPS bismuth through it or handload some ITX.

You'd probably have a great time using one, and if you dropped it in the river or ruined the stock you are only out $500, not a couple $K or more.

I think you will be limited to 2 3/4 inch shells. I don't think they made any with a 3 inch chamber. But my dad killed quite a few ducks with short magnums back in lead shot days. I don't know why you couldn't do the same with 2 3/4 inch bismuth.

Stan, There were A,B and C models. Try to get the B or C if possible as they have smoother and better actions I have been told. I have had several and I love them too as they are the classic end of the nineteenth century Duck guns

Stan,
Sounds like a grand adventure
I see no reason you can not duck hunt with a hammered pump gun
Remember the 3 shot plug
Enjoy and when it happens post pictures.
Thinking of trying my 1887 Winchester, that should be a real hoot.

Mike

What was the latest that they made the '97, and what do you think was the barrel steel in those later guns? If they were good, strong fluid steel barrels what would be the problem with using steel? We're only talking about a $600 gun, in good condition, here. My BSS is not recommended for steel either, but I opened the chokes and have shot steel in it for years with no problems. Just how good was the steel in the '97s?

SRH

I believe 1957 was the last year of production.

Stan they sold the thing up through 1957 I seem to remember. I am sure the barrel steel was whatever they were using through the years. Later mfg. date, probably better steel...Geo

Goillini remembered before I could.

A buddy of mine had a '97 when we were teenagers. I shot it a few times duck hunting. One thing I do remember is that the hammer cut the fool out of my thumb once on a hunt when it "slam-fired"!...Geo

So, how about the receiver and bolting ......... just how strong was it?

SRH