Author Topic: winchester 97 question (Read 964 times)

DB Leath · « **on:** February 10, 2003, 01:08:11 PM »

Really I guess shotgun type doesnt matter much. I found me a dandy 97 in a gunshop last week. I am going to get up the courage to lob some of that 32 in barrel off. My question is do I need to have a choke installed? Do I need a front bead? I would think at the distances we shoot the choke wouldnt matter much. I would have the choke done but most of the gunsmiths around here take months to get stuff done. I have a band saw for metal so I can get the barrel cut with no trouble.
Also what length do you guys think would be best. I am thinking 22 inches, if I endup putting a choke in sure would make a dandy rabbit, quail, dove gun. I dont want 18 in I am sure of that.
DB Leath

Jax Orebetter · « **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2003, 01:20:11 PM »

Now before you go cuttin' that barrel ya might want to take it out and shoot it in a vouple of matches. The only real advantage of a shorter barrel is style and easier movement in close quarters. Those long barrels with chokes just drop those fallers like they were hit with a sledge hammer. If your club has any of those poppers that throw stuff in the air you can really dust 'em.

If you really have to have a shorter barrel, I would but a new one and have it installed and keep the original.

If you decide to cut it- do you need chokes, no, but sometimes they sure are nice.

Do you need to get a new bead installed- I would say yes. The targets may be close, but you still need to aim at some of them. :grin:

Just my opinion, since you asked.

Cheyenne Ranger · « **Reply #2 on:** February 11, 2003, 05:02:12 AM »

I think that a time or two at the range would be worth it before sawing the barrel off. You can always do it later. The longer barrel is supposed to lessen recoil, too--this is something important to me as I dislocated my shoulder last week.
CR

DB Leath · « **Reply #3 on:** February 11, 2003, 07:02:53 AM »

Fellas,
I have been shooting both of them the last 2 times. One has a 32" and the other 30" barrel. Its really not so much an issue with the overall length and being able to use it in confined spaces. There is only one stage at our club where this is an issue. The biggest reason is weight. When you reload a 97 you are supposed to keep it up in your shoulder held with the strong side hand on the buttstock. Then load from the weak side. Well I am in sorta the same boat as Chyenne Ranger. I have dislocated my left shoulder more times than I care to remember. So holding the gun up with that arm is difficult. I shot one that had a short barrel 20" I think. It was just easier to hold up than mine. I really want to start using just one shotgun and stick with it. I will put the bead back on for sure. I just wish I could find someone that could choke it within a few weeks.
DB Leath

Mainspring · « **Reply #4 on:** February 11, 2003, 09:59:27 AM »

This is a little OT, but it got me to thinking...how is it that the 1897 Winchester is SASS legal, but the 1895 Winchester isn't? Or is this one of those "Don't ask" questions?

Jax Orebetter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2003, 10:05:43 AM »

Mainspring,

The 1895 doesn't have a tubular magazine, so it doesn't meet the requirements for a SASS lever action Rifle.

Mainspring · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2003, 06:00:53 AM »

Yeah, I was just wondering what the justification is. I've seen plenty of old pics of the era with '95s in them. Just a thought I had.

Jax Orebetter · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2003, 07:21:22 AM »

It is purely arbitrary. :wink: The Wild Bunch made the rules and that's how it goes. I think the '97 looks about as cowboy as a Benelli, but they are allowed. :?

I guess it is a good thing I don't shoot some of the other CAS sports. I think some of those double action revolvers are pretty cool. I would just have all that much more to decide on!! :-D :-D

Mainspring · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2003, 08:07:42 AM »

...which brings us back to it being one of those "Don't ask" questions. Gotcha. :wink:

Keokotah · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2003, 12:29:48 PM »

Hi All ,,,,,,,,If you decide to cut it I wouldn't use a band saw.Put tape around where you are going to cut it and use a pipe cutter then file the inside to take the burr off I didn't put the bead back on mine :grin: ..... Keokotah

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #10 on:** February 20, 2003, 11:40:56 PM »

My take on this is from VERY limited experiance with 97s.

I own a Norinco with a Coyote Cap Action Job and a screw in choke system. I'm not a huge fan of trombone guns, but I won this one at the Iowa State Championships last year and the Action Job came with the gun. When I sent it in for the action job I had Cap put the choke system in it too and I think it's the best thing I ever did for a scattergun! With the modified choke it absolutely pounds those reactive targets to the ground and poppers and clay birds don't have a prayer! The full choke is overly tight for my shooting style (which is not very good BTW :oops: ) but it will be fabulous fer turkey hunting!!

Another comment: There have been recent reports of 97s shedding thier screw in chokes. This happened to TG Reaper recently. The concensus seems to be that this is happening with Briley systems. Cap thinks this is because the Briley chokes use a coarse/deep thread and the barrel walls on 97s are too thin to leave enough metal around the Briley chokes. Cap uses Tru Choke systems which have a much finer thread and none have been reported to have blown out yet with this system.

Last remark: If you want a great 97, send it to Cap! You send him a Model T and he sends you back a Pro Stocker that's ready to take on the pack at Daytona! He's that good! REALLY!!!