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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 41
Sidelock
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Sidelock

Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 41
did a search and didn't find anything on this model. What are your thoughts, good or not so good.
I found one with a straight grip and double triggers. It's choked a tad tight but I could always open them up or have choke tubes installed.

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Sidelock
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From the 1995 Blue Book. 12 or 20 Ga. 3" chambers 25.5, 26 28 or 30" barrels. Coin finish and engraved. The one in question should be a lightweight with the straight stock and should have 25.5" barrels choked IM/IC for the 12 and IC/M or for the 20 or Winchokes. 6.25-6.75 pounds. Last imported in 1986.

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Sidelock
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Sidelock

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From the listing.
The Winchester Model 23 XTR Pigeon Grade in 12 Gauge. Made in Japan, it has the 3 in chambers, double triggers, 28 inch Ventilated Rib barrels with with fixed full and Modified barrels

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Someone may have altered the stock, or an omission from the Blue Book. Mentions only single triggers, but....

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I have one. It only has a single trigger. Any I have seen all had single triggers but who knows?

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Sidelock
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Sidelock

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How do you like your 23?

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I like it. Mine has 28" barrels and beavertail forearm which doesn't appeal to many but I don't mind it at all on this gun. I have several side by sides and the 23 ,for my build, is one of my nicest fitting guns.

Last edited by gunsaholic; 07/28/20 09:48 PM.
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Sidelock
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With double triggers it must be a European version. All the Model 23s marketed in the U.S. had the single selective trigger.

My canned history of the Model 23 in the U.S. --

Winchester Model 23s -- During 1978 a flier introduced the Model 23 XTR Pigeon Grade in 12- and 20-gauges with 26 or 28 inch barrels and half-pistol grip.

1979 & 1980 Catalogues -- ditto

1981 Catalogue -- Added the Model 23 XTR Lightweight in 12- and 20-gauges with straight grip and 25 1/2 inch barrels. All the guns up to this point shown with black plastic butt plates with a whiteline spacer.

Olin Corporation dumps the U.S. firearm manufacturing business. Keeps the ammunition and the imported shotguns from Japan.

1982 -- Olin/Winchester catalogue same six variations as 1981, but they now have a thin rubber butt pad.


I've got nothing for 1983. Though not cataloged, the Golden Quail in 28-gauge was introduced in 1983 and in 20-gauge in 1985.

1984 -- Winchester Classic Doubles -- same six plus -- 12- and 20-gauges with 25 1/2 inch barrels with Win-chokes and half-pistol-grip stocks; and the limited edition Model 23 Heavy Duck with a capped full pistol grip and a blued receiver.

1985 -- Winchester Classic Doubles -- Same except limited edition is 20-gauge Light Duck.

1986 -- Winchester Classic Doubles -- The original four variations gone -- introduction of the Model 23 Classic in 12-, 20-, and 28-gauges and 410-bore with engraved and blued receivers and gold bird on the bottom -- The Model 23 Custom, a 20- and 28-gauge two-barrel set with gold birds on the sides as well -- The Model 23 Golden Quail in 12-gauge with straight grip and 25 1/2 inch barrels choked IC/M (just the same as the Model 23 XTR Lightweight but different engraving).

1987 -- Winchester Classic Doubles -- Model 23 XTR Lightweights and the original half-pistol grip models with Win-chokes gone -- The Model 23 Classics in all four gauges continue and the Model 23 Custom two-gauge set -- new additions are another Model 23 Custom in 12-gauge 26-inch barrels with 6 Win-chokes and a plain blued receiver profiled like a Model 21, and a Model 23 Golden Quail in 410-bore -- also they still have some Model 23 Golden Quails in 12-gauge and some Model 23 Light Ducks left to move!!

1988 -- Winchester Classic Doubles -- The Model 21 look alike Model 23 Custom gets 27-inch barrels and is called NEW -- The Model 23 Classic continues in all four gauges while they still have those limited edition 12-gauge and 410-bore Golden Quails and the Model 23 Custom two-barrel 20- and 28-gauge sets to move.

Olin unloads the Japanese gun business. I can shoot Model 23s fine if they are the first gun I pick up in the morning. Its tougher if you shoot something with a crisp trigger first and then try a Model 23! Even with the ic & mod chokes, the 28-gauge Model 23 Classic is the only 28-gauge I have ever ran a 100 straight at skeet with.

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Sidelock
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The 23 was, I believe, the first sxs to be fitted with factory choke tubes.

Talking Japanese sxs from that era, the 23 would likely win a contest for most complaints about the gun's single trigger. Compared to Ithaca SKB, Browning BSS, and Parker Reproduction.

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Sidelock
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I own a 23 Heavy Duck and Grande Canadian. I had two Grande Canadians but sold one and will sell this other. I put Brileys in the Grande Canadians. I had at one point I owned a Pigeon Grade XRT for ducks but found the Heavy Duck seemed to have less felt recoil. All single triggers. I like them. If the stock bolt gets loose the trigger tends to act up and I'm not sure about the availability of parts anymore. I did some very high volume shooting in SA with the GCs and they worked very well. On one trip to Columbia the shells shot really dirty, with no problems except digging out the powder gunk from under the extractors/ejectors.

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