How tough is it to disassemble Win Mdl 1897 for cleaning?

[bushmaster1313]

I am thinking of getting a Winchester Model 1897 just for the fun of owning it and shooting it occasionally.

Odds are that the gun I buy will not have had a good cleaning of its internals in a long time.

What is involved in disassembling the action and magazine for cleaning.

Is it something that should be left to a professional?

 

[ReloaderFred]

If it's a takedown model, the disassembly of the magazine tube is pretty straight forward, as well as most cleaning. The magazine on a solid frame gun is also pretty simple.

The action is another matter, since there are some really small screws and parts in there. Personally, I leave that part to one of my two Model 97 gurus, since they know what they're doing in that area, and I don't. I'll take most firearms apart, but for some reason the action on the Model 97 is one that I won't.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[ReloaderFred]

I found a link to a manual for the Model 97 that you may find useful: http://stevespages.com/pdf/winchester_97.pdf

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[zoom6zoom]

It's easy to take apart. Putting it back together so that it works again can be the hard part. The 97 is probably the most complex shotgun action around. The average user should restrict themselves to field stripping it. If you want to learn more about the internal workings, you can rent the armorer's course DVD for ten bucks: http://smartflix.com/store/video/454/Winchester-97-Pump-Shotgun-Armorers-Course

 

[rcmodel]

If it works:

Take the stock off.
Hose it out with WD-40, a toothbrush, and dental picks.
Blow it out with an air hose.
Re-lube with Rem-Oil spray.
Drip dry & blow out the excess.
Put the stock back on.
Fugedaboutit!

If it doesn't work:

Find a gunsmith who knows what a 97 Winchester is, which is getting harder & harder to do it seems.

The last solid-frame 97 I detail stripped & cleaned took most of a full day to get apart, clean, and put back together due to a stuck mag tube, and stuck screws.

rc

 

[MAX100]

If it works:

Take the stock off.
Hose it out with WD-40, a toothbrush, and dental picks.
Blow it out with an air hose.
Re-lube with Rem-Oil spray.
Drip dry & blow out the excess.
Put the stock back on.
Fugedaboutit!

If it doesn't work:

Find a gunsmith who knows what a 97 Winchester is, which is getting harder & harder to do it seems.

The last solid-frame 97 I detail stripped & cleaned took most of a full day to get apart, clean, and put back together due to a stuck mag tube, and stuck screws.

Great advice! Leave it along unless you have experience taking them apart. If it needs work only carry it to a smith with a lot of experience with them.


GC

 

[bushmaster1313]

Great advice! Leave it along unless you have experience taking them apart. If it needs work only carry it to a smith with a lot of experience with them.

Understood
Thank you to everyone.