[Gunnerpalace]

Ok I have a Winchester 1897 solid-frame made in 1908, It is a pain to rack the slide upon further exam, I noticed before racking if I twist/turn the fore-end/fore-grip I can hear a audible "click" and then the action goes much easier, Whats going on? I can provide more as you need.

Thanks

[ReloaderFred]

Is this after you fire a round or before? Some '97's require moving the slide forward and then back. The recoil of the round going off will usually not make this necessary, but cycling an empty gun will.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Gunnerpalace]

I was dry firing using snap caps, I have not shot it yet as I was going to have the barrel dropped.

[rcmodel]

Like Fred said.

It's an action lock. All Model 12's and at least most 97's had them.

Without recoil to unlock them, you have to push the slide forward before pulling to the rear.

Recoil from firing a shell does it automatically.

rc

[ReloaderFred]

It sounds like it's working normally.

Did you mean you're going to have the barrel "chopped"? For Cowboy Action Shooting, I have mine cut to 22", which seems ideal for me. My wife's 97 was cut to 20", but I like mine just a tad longer, since they seem to swing better for me with the longer barrel.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Gunnerpalace]

Cool thanks,

Yeah I'm going to have the local gunsmith shorten it down to 20in so I can use it for my trench gun project.

Again, thank you. :)

[Hollywood Marine]

Examples of these old guns in good condition are getting rarer. I would discourage altering one. If you must, buy a modern replica, then at least you are not defacing a historic arm.

[ReloaderFred]

They're not rare in my gun safe. There are 5 of them resting in there, and three of them get shot quite often. My wife's gun was manufactured in 1899, and our newest one was made in 1926. My Black Diamond Trap was made in 1912.

They're great old guns.

Fred