Functionality of antique reproductions?

[Collector0311]

I need to pick up a shotgun for use with central Texas fowl. I am really into the styling and feel of antique weapons and would like to use a reproduction for hunting but have no knowledge of their quality or reliability. I looked specifically at the Cimarron 1887 lever, 1897 pump, and the 1881 hammerless. If anybody has experience with any of these weapons, or the like, your knowledge would be much appreciated
-Brandon

 

[Fred Fuller]

The CAS (Cowboy Action Shooting) shooters seem not to have too much trouble with the repro guns. I don't think the lever action shotgun would make you really happy as a field gun, but I don't know. I have the 1897 Riot gun repro and love it...

There are lots of later manufacture genuine 1897s on the market that are 'shooter' condition - why not go for the real thing? Model 97s were made into the late 1950s...

 

[rcmodel]

They are all working firearms and would serve you for hunting, except for one thing.

Most are 20" riot gun configuration, and Cyl bore with no choke.

I see one model of the 1897 (1897SG) that supposedly has interchangeable choke tubes, but that is all I see.

Then again I don't know what a Texas "Fowl" is.

Quail could be hunted with a Cyl choke.
Turkey, not so much.

Migratory waterfowl require non-toxic steel shot by Federal law, and some degree of choke.
And I don't know if any of these guns are steel shot rated.

rc

 

[One_Jackal]

A reproduction is ok for second gun or an addition to your collection. I wouldn't want my only gun to be a reproduction. If I could only have one shotgun it would have a 28" barrel, screw in chokes and a vent rib. The double hammer coach guns are real popular around here. Someone would have to pay me well to spend a day in the woods hunting with one.

 

[VA27]

I have an '87 clone. I haven't hunted with it, but it's always an attention getter at a skeet shoot. People will stand in line to have a go with it.

One of the Chiappa guns with the long barrel in modified would take about anything that flies, I'd think. With all the stock drop it will hammer you with high brass shells.

 

[Virginian]

Watch out for some of the early reproduction '97s. The Chinese are great at copying things, and they copied a worn out '97 perfectly. The guns were worn out out of the box. Shoot a lever action shotgun before you buy. You will understand why they didn't go out of favor; they never even made it to popular. If you like a '97 it will definitely work fine in the right configuration, but I don't think the reproductions are available in a decent hunting configuration. You might need to look for a used one.

 

[Texan Scott]

We have fowl?

 

[Virginian]

We have fowl?

I just got back from Houston, so I know y'all have some foul. Must be at least a few fowl over there too.