Help with 1897 copy problem.

[seattledave]

First things first, I know I am an idiot so let me save you the time of telling me so. Here's my problem: I have a newly-purchased IAC copy of a Winchester 1897 with a live round stuck in the chamber. I wanted to see how the gun cycled so I put one round in the magazine. I then loaded the round into the chamber and when I went to use the button on the side to unload the live round, the gun was jammed shut. The hammer was in the full-cock position but the gun won't cycle and I now have a shotgun in an extremely dangerous condition that I don't see any way out of. I can see the rim of the cartridge so it would seem it is not fully into battery but I am far from an expert. Any thoughts on what I can do?

 

[Messenger Guard]

Try ( in a safe area of course) to force it into battery or I have had shottys lock up and a good solid whack down on the butt stock tends to knock them open. This is of course with your hand firmly grasping the pump as you slam the butt into maybe a truck tailgate with a blanket over it.

 

[seattledave]

I took the gun outside to a safe area, held the release button and gave it a good whack on the ground while also grasping the forend... it worked marvelously. Thanks for the help.

 

[whitecoyote]

Safely, push foreward on the forend while pushing the slide release. You should hear a click when you slide the forend foreward. Then you should be able to rack the slide back.

 

[Fred Fuller]

And PRACTICE safely lowering the hammer WITHOUT a live round in the chamber till you're comfortable doing it... exposed hammer shotguns require a different skillset than so-called hammerless (actually concealed hammer) pumps. RTFM - read that fine manual...

lpl