Can the Winchester '97 action EVER be as smooth as a Remington 870?

[MCMXI]

I recently bought a Winchester '97 "riot" gun made in or around 1921, and a brand new Remington 870 Express Synthetic model 25077. The 870 action is unbelievably smooth. I don't know if I got a good one or if this is normal but it's incredible. In contrast, the Winchester action is no where near as smooth. When I took the Winchester apart yesterday, it's an engineering marvel but there are lots of places for the action to hang up or bind. So my question is, can I ever get the Winchester action to be as smooth as the 870 or am I just "whistlin' Dixie"? Or put another way, what's the best I can hope for with the Winchester?

Thanks.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Maybe. I've not shot a 97 that extensively, but I have done a few shots in the last couple years trying out other folks' 97s at the range.

A couple were goodnsmooth. Some seemed a bit sluggish, but I've no idea when they were last deep cleaned. Might have been during the Harding administration.

The one I used some in the Military was smooth, but I was young and strong then. There is a kinda two stage feel to the stroke, like a 98 Mauser trigger.

Run a few thousand rounds through each of them and get back to us.

Thanks....

 

[MAX100]

There is plenty of info on the net how to smooth them out. They are use by many Cowboy Action Shooters. If you don't think you can do the smoothing and want it smooth send it to one of the Cowboy Action Gunsmith. I would only let someone with a lot of experience with the 1897 shotguns work on it. It's going to cost around $100 + shipping.

GC

 

[ArmedBear]

Just get a brand-new 870 Express and run it bone dry.

 

[JNewell]

Problem with the 97 is that blood is corrosive and rusty parts run rough and unless you're a good bit slicker than I am (which you might very well be) you're gonna be doing some self-inflicted blood-letting with a 97.

 

[Gordon]

The Model 12 Winchester was a lot smoother action than the 97 ever was.The 97,good as it is has a lot of steel pieces moving a long ways in different directions. The Model 31 Remington "Ball bearing corn shucker" was in it's time (pre 870) acknowledged to be smoother than a Model 12. The 870 is ALMOST as smooth as the Model 31, but a heck of alot cheaper to build. The Model 31 is way under appreciated in my opinion.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I agree Gordon, and ssshhhh! Otherwise people will start asking Model 12 prices for them.

 

[Cameronafter8]

How does Ithaca rate?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Ithaca? Top quality and smooth....

 

[streakr]

IMO No. The 97s have far more parts but can be made very smooth.

streakr

 

[Mike Franklin]

While the '97 might be faster than a SxS, they are prone to jamming or at least sticking. Every match I see at least one of'm fail in some way.

 

[JNewell]

Perhaps this should be expected? Many of the originals are now very high-miles guns, and the repros are, well, not necessarily made to the original standards.

 

[MCMXI]

There is plenty of info on the net how to smooth them out. They are use by many Cowboy Action Shooters. If you don't think you can do the smoothing and want it smooth send it to one of the Cowboy Action Gunsmith. I would only let someone with a lot of experience with the 1897 shotguns work on it. It's going to cost around $100 + shipping.

Thanks, I've found some information on improving the '97.

Thanks everyone for your replies. It'd be good to know what I can reasonably expect after hours/days of cleaning, filing and polishing. If an incredible amount of effort could get it close to an 870 then I'm ok with that. If the limit is determined by the design and no amount of polishing is going to change that, then that'd be good to know too.

 

[ScottsGT]

Got any links on improving the '97? I bought one a few months back, feels good, especially for a gun of that age, but I feel that it can be improved. Anyone ever look at what is done to "tune" a cowboy action gun? One I saw could have been considered worn out. And this guy paid big bucks to have this done to a new rifle. (It was a Uberti '73 rifle replica)
I see this and understand how they can sometimes jam.

 

[rantingredneck]

Did someone mention a Remington 31 ?

I've got one that was my granddad's. Slick as owl snot that one is.

 

[MCMXI]

Got any links on improving the '97?

I've found this web site to be helpful ....

Winchester '97 tune-up

I just sent the barrel and receiver of my '97 to The Squibber (mentioned on this web page) to ream the chamber and lengthen the forcing cone ...

More information

 

[ScottsGT]

Great links! Thanks!