Winchester Model 97 Riot Shotgun

Check chamber length. Some old 12ga guns had a 2-9/16" chamber. I dont know about the 1897.

Check for barrel bulges, pitting, or obstruction.

Dry fire to make sure it all works. Does the action lock up nice and tight? Hammer cock when pump is cycled?

Lastly, watch your thumb and face as you cycle the action while shooting. The carrier slides way out the back of the receiver.

The 1897 was made up until 1957 with over a million produced. Some early guns had the shorter chamber which increased the amount of felt recoil. The gun does not have a disconnector so it will slam fire as you chamber a round with the trigger held back. The weak point is the left extractor sometimes breaks. Replacements are available but have to be hand fitted to work properly.

SavingNolanRyan said:

I will have to watch the trigger, too as apparently this one can be slam fired. Good tips...Thx BBlue

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Yep. If you need pics of anything just ask, i have two 12s and a 16ga. The 12ga ones are older than the hills and need attention before i decide to shoot them. The 16 runs like a champ.

Be aware there are solid frame and take-down versions.

The above recommendations are excellent. You should also check to see if the mechanism is significantly worn before you decide to slamfire it. Open the bolt, confirm the firearm is unloaded, pull and hold the trigger, and slowly close the action. Watch to see if the hammer drops before the bolt is fully in battery. If the hammer drops before the bolt is in battery, and you decide to fire it without repairing the firearm it could very well blow that bolt back through the back of the receiver should you slamfire it, either purposefully or accidently.

These guns really should not be slam fired. Its just a quirk of the design, not a built in feature. It is hard on the old internals.

SavingNolanRyan said:

What considerations might be needed before I put a shell into an old Winchester M97 shotgun? I know head spacing is a big concern for old service rifles, but what should I check before shooting an old shotgun?

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Replace the sear, sear spring, and possibly trigger and hammer if the hammer follows the bolt when normally cycled. (after the finger releases the trigger) This is the most common problem with 97's.

ALL 12 gage Model 1897 shotguns were made with a 2-3/4" chamber. None of the 12 gage 1897s had a short chamber. It is a different story with the other gages.

SavingNolanRyan said:

I will have to watch the trigger, too as apparently this one can be slam fired. Good tips...Thx BBlue

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Yes, my model 97 and most model 97 reproductions are capable of slam fire.

citizenconn said:

Yes, my model 97 and most model 97 reproductions are capable of slam fire.

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As are older Ithaca 37's.

Marauder (from cowboy action shooting) has a list of things to look for on his website in ‘97’s so you aren’t looking at a lot of money in repairs. To his list, I add, with the gun cocked, can you safely lower the hammer to half cock. (The safety features should work - there is no safety besides half cock. If you can’t put it to half cock, you must unload it each time to be safe. )

So realistically any old Winchester 97 can be shot with any normal off the shelf 2 3/4” ammo?

Mosin77 said:

So realistically any old Winchester 97 can be shot with any normal off the shelf 2 3/4” ammo?

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Yes. But preferably light target loads. They dont need hot stuff run through em, like uncle billy's XXX coyote loads.

I have a 12 ga. take down with two barrels, both SN's match the receiver. The last time anyone shot it was in the 60's. She's a kicking fool. I did have a gunsmith go thru it about 20 years ago and he said it was GTG. Built around 1917 I think.

CoalTrain49 said:

I have a 12 ga. take down with two barrels, both SN's match the receiver. The last time anyone shot it was in the 60's. She's a kicking fool. I did have a gunsmith go thru it about 20 years ago and he said it was GTG. Built around 1917 I think.

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Are the barrels different choked?

BigBlue 94 said:

Are the barrels different choked?

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Yeah, cylinder for the 20" and full for the 30". Must have been a special order. I've read that cyl was popular for slugs and buck shot back in the day. Maybe a deer hunter ordered it. My dad bought it from a neighbor in TX in the 50's. He was a rifleman so I don't think he was the original owner. Just a guess.

Speedo66 said:

As are older Ithaca 37's.

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And Winchester Model 12s.