not sure how the breech ring could be damaged. If you break it down, you should be able to observe the breech ring. Closing the bolt with a blank in the chamber might help see what’s going on.
First time purchase of a Winchester 1897 shotgun
- Thread starter Conanred
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not sure how the breech ring could be damaged. If you break it down, you should be able to observe the breech ring. Closing the bolt with a blank in the chamber might help see what’s going on.
Skidsteer1
Member
Thanks Scribner. Have a new bolt I got from either Outlaw Gambler in WI or Numrich, I can't remember. Anyway wish me luck that it fits. So I will give it a try.
Skidsteer1
Member
Well the new bolt fits pretty well. The shotgun goes into full battery, hammer falls, and it ejects an empty. However it only will eject an Federal Gold Medal with the semi high base and NOT an STS hull. Fortunately, I have over two thousand once fired Federals.Thanks Skidsteer1.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
I bought this 12 gauge 1897, made around 1908 if I recall correctly, when I started shooting Cowboy Action. Sorry, a long time ago, I don't recall what I paid for it.
Later I decided I like a SXS better for CAS, but with its 30" full choked barrel it makes a pretty good trap gun.
And a Model 1897, just like a Model 12, absolutely will slam fire if you work the action with the trigger pulled back.
I bought this 12 gauge 1897, made around 1908 if I recall correctly, when I started shooting Cowboy Action. Sorry, a long time ago, I don't recall what I paid for it.
Later I decided I like a SXS better for CAS, but with its 30" full choked barrel it makes a pretty good trap gun.
And a Model 1897, just like a Model 12, absolutely will slam fire if you work the action with the trigger pulled back.
Skidsteer1
Member
Do you know the chamber length? My guess is that it is 2 5/8 and originally used shells that were roll crimped and not star crimped. But as you are probably using light or CAS loads pressure may not be an issue. Thanks.
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hawg
Member
Bert Hartman on the Winchester collectors site is a historian at the Cody museum in Cody Wyoming. He's an expert on Winchesters.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
According to the Winchester Handbook, by George Madis, "earlier guns were made in 12 gauge only and could handle the two and five-eighths or two and three quarters inch shell."
A couple of sources date mine at 1909 (not 1908 as I stated earlier).
There is no marking on it as to what length shell it is chambered for, but I can tell you that I DO NOT shoot mouse fart shells in it. Standard 2 3/4", 2 3/4 dram 1 1/8 oz #8 trap loads.
Never had a problem, and I won a couple of Cowboy Trap championships with it.
As someone stated earlier, do be careful of your hand position on the stock when you work the action. Don't choke up too much or the bolt will bite you.
Regarding slam firing, what Marauder meant was if the gun is badly worn, while holding the trigger back and closing the action, the hammer may fall before the shot gun is completely in battery. Check this by very slowly closing the action with the trigger pulled back (and the chamber empty of course!) The hammer should not fall until the slide is all the way forward.
It will fall then, as I said earlier, the Model 1897 as well as the Model 12 can be slam fired. There is no interrupter to prevent this.
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CoalTrain49
Member
I have one built in 1917. Runs 2 3/4" shells just fine. 2 5/8" or even 2 1/2" would also work but who wants to hunt that ammo down and pay 3x for it?
$500 is a good price, not great, but good if it's in good condition. Anything more is pure speculation on the sellers part. I would want the 12 ga for ammo availability.
$500 is a good price, not great, but good if it's in good condition. Anything more is pure speculation on the sellers part. I would want the 12 ga for ammo availability.
Skidsteer1
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