[ACP230]

I ran across a 12 gauge Winchester 59 today. The wood was in good shape and the receiver had some line engraving on it. The gun also had a Poly Choke.
I'd never handled one before, but did get to fool with this one a little.
It felt pretty good to me and shotgun aquisiton mode is almost on.

Anyone got some info on these old autoloaders?

I've read they made good grouse guns because they balanced well.

[Dave McCracken]

There's an old thread I started on these. A couple points.

The floating chamber was developed and patented by Marshall Williams, the moonshiner/convict who was the impetus behind the M1 carbine.

The 59 is butt heavy and points fast. Some grouse hunters loved them.Writer Frank Woolner modified his, making it lighter, and toted it over hill and dale for grouse. Others did likewise.

I like the 59. Not enough to sell off any 870s, but they're decent shotguns.

[ACP230]

Woolner's book, Grouse Hunting Strategies is where I read most about the 59.

If I had a few bucks lying around I think I'd already have put the one I saw on layaway.

Butt heavy isn't the descripition that came to mind when I handled it, but it was what I felt when I handled the gun.

So many shotguns, so little money!

[FortyRodRay]

I worked for a gunsmith in the early 60's (that's 1960's) while going to Mississippi State University. He had a model 59 with a model 50 skeet barrel on it. He also had a key to the skeet club where we did testing. This was a great combination. With a little extra weight forward it shot like it had been blessed by the Pope. I don't recall any malfunctions or problems.

Nash Buckingham was given one by Mr. Olin and liked it so much, he wrote favorably about it in one of his books. Not exactly "Bo Whoop", but then it was the only modern gun I remembering him praising.

It was introduced across the table from the 1100 and the A-5 and its clones were selling pretty hot and heavy, so I guess it had a pretty steep hill to climb. The fibreglass barrel was a radical inovation and probably hurt more than it helped. I used both barrels with the one I shot. I also owned a Pigeon Grade model 50 at the time, so I could compare pretty well. Aside from an odd noise when cycling and frequent cleaning, I would rate them high. I believe it was based on the Williams floating chamber.