Which Winchester for Social Work?

[Michael Zeleny]

I am looking for an old Winchester riot gun. I want the genuine article in an excellent condition, not a Norinco knockoff. I don't want to pay the going rate for a trench gun, though an aftermarket reproduction heat shield seems like a good idea. My field gun is a 1957 28" modified choke M12, and I have toyed with the idea of fitting it with an extra 20" front end, but NOS factory receiver extensions have dried up. Since I will be shooting this gun a lot, I am contemplating the durability advantages of the solid frame M97. What other factors should I consider?

 

[sm]

Where is the "one of each" option ?

This is a tough poll. These are all great guns. Nope, gonna suggest you collect all 3. The M12 "might" be the easier of the 3 to locate.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Tough call. All top guns.

I'm no authority on 97s. But,IIRC, the TD 97 if left assembled, is as stout as the solid frame.

Buy the first one you see, this is a Win/Win/Win situation....

 

[Michael Zeleny]

Buy the first one you see, this is a Win/Win/Win situation....

Thanks for the encouragement. I just bought this Model 1897 12 ga. 20" CYL. bore takedown riot gun manufactured in 1946:

Will report back after I take delivery.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Great, looking forward to the range report....

 

[Brian Williams]

I recently saw a win 12 riot gun in a local shop looking for around 4 bills???I think.

 

[0luke1]

I've seen NOS M12 riot forward assemblies for almost $400.

From what I've seen, the trench guns are out of site and the riot guns (real ones) are over $1k.

Why not take a good m97 and cut it down (or get a new barrel for an old assembly)?

I have a nice e model m97 TD and it's really tight. As long as the village idiot hasn't worked on it, the TD adjustment works fine and I can see no reason why the package isn't as strong as the solid frame.

 

[Michael Zeleny]

I would gladly pay $400 for a NOS M12 riot front end or better yet, a tight M12 riot gun. I see M12 riot guns sell upwards of $700 and M97 for over $1,000. Since I am looking for a gun in excellent original condition, circumcising it is not an option. This weapon will survive me in its original configuration.