Winchester 1887 clone

I have one. What do you want to know?

I never thought much of those clunkers when they were marked Winchester and I am not sure I would like a copy any better. I can understand repros of CW guns and the SAA, but the 1887 wasn't a big seller at the time (only about 64k sold, compared to over a milllion 1897's), looks funny and is awkward. Its only reason for being is that Winchester wanted a shotgun with a lever on it, and JMB gave them what they wanted. It was not one of his better ideas.

Jim

Clunker???

You called it a clunker??

I agree completely.
The Winchester lever-action shotgun was a clunker.
The lever travels well past 90' degrees, and most peoples wrests don't work like that.

There was never a reason for anyone to buy one after the Browning designed Model 1893 Pump, and later much improved Model 1897 Pump guns came on the market.

They were much stronger, lighter, faster, and more reliable shotguns, all the way around.

rc

But Arnold had one !

I had one. There was nothing wrong with the gun per se. However like others have said there are issues with the design. Mine didn't see a lot of use. Even for playing cowboy there were guns that were more fun.

As to century's reputation it dealt with guns they assembled or had to do actual work on(or contracted the work out perhaps) these like many other century products are merely imported by them.

If you like the design or want a unique toy go for it.

These are made in China I believe hence the cheap price, if you really want this style plus some more options then try out the one made by chiappa. More pricey but a big step in quality.

As far as being made in China, while I am not a fan of most Chinese made products, several guns made in China, including 1911's, M1A's, SKS's, and 1897 shotgun replicas have been decent firearms.

Speedo66 said:

As far as being made in China, while I am not a fan of most Chinese made products, several guns made in China, including 1911's, M1A's, SKS's, and 1897 shotgun replicas have been decent firearms.

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Your absolutely correct, I ain't hating on that fact just know that some people are wary of MIC when it comes to weaponry.

I remember the first Chinese 97s. They can copy things perfectly. Send them a worn out 97 to go by, and you get brand new worn out 97s.

Yeah, Arnold had one but they had to put an aluminum barrel on it so the strong man could twirl it.

The only reason anyone has even heard of this design is because of Terminator 2. Lever action shotguns were irrelevant 125 years ago and even more so today.

MAKster said:

The only reason anyone has even heard of this design is because of Terminator 2. Lever action shotguns were irrelevant 125 years ago and even more so today.

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So are blackpowder guns but they are still fun!

If you are a fan of lever actions I would say go for it. I have a chiappa and it's a lot of fun to shoot. Not a lot of people have them, so they are always a conversation starter.

I've handled (not fired) a couple originals and they wouldn't be my first choice as a bird gun. They're a clumsy 2x4 that goes bang.

But if you wanna play cowboy have fun.

The day the Winchester Model 1893 rolled out every other repeating type of shotgun that had gone before was obsolete, and other than semi autos, the pump is still far better than anything else in repeaters. That action works with you, and the required motion requires no repositioning of the hands or change of mount.

Let's see:

Reward Communists.
Buy one of the most awkward (THE most?) shotguns ever made.
Buy into zero practicality.
It ain't even a 10 Ga.


Nah, I'll pass.

I've had one for several years. It's a fun gun to shoot. I've taken it to several skeet shoots over the years and folks will line up for a chance to shoot it. After learning what it needs to work properly (work the action like you're trying to break it) I've had no problems with mine other than the forearm slabs have a tendancy to slip foreward with prolonged shooting.

The Chinese 1887s were plagued with problems that Coyote Cap had to travel to the orient like five times to make the manufacturer upgrade materials and production techniques just so that importing them into the U.S. wouldn't irreparably wreck the reputation of the importer.
Then, to make these shotguns satisfactory for any measure of Cowboy competition required an additional $400+ gunsmith upgrades to be capable.
Great guns, if appropriately fixed, but they are definitely "clunky" until paid the needed attention....

Chiappa

Is the Chiappa made in Turkey? I've see nsome videos of the Chiappa and it seems to get decent reviews.

jimeast said:

Is the Chiappa made in Turkey?

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Mine was made in Italy - but then, I live in the UK. Don't they have an output in the USA? Are they *made* there as well?

I've see nsome videos of the Chiappa and it seems to get decent reviews.

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I use mine quite a lot for PSG. Not ideal. At least, not *competitve*. However, *I* like it:

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/topic/233403-review-of-the-chiappa-1887-lever-action-shotgun/

Regards,

Mark.