Winchester 12 Ga. 101 XTR?

[Flynt]

While cruising the local pawnshops, I found a 12 ga. O/U that I liked, but I've never heard of it. (I'm not a big shotgun guy.) It's a Winchester 101 XTR. In perfect shape, for $800.00 -- but I could probably get the price down a little. I've looked for it on the web, but with no luck. The receiver was blued and without engraving. Can you guys tell me what you know about this model, and whether $800 is a good price? (I really liked the way it fit.) Thanks.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Very good shotgun, good price.

The 101 doesn't get the attention it should.

 

[JohnBT]

First, I'm no 101 expert. Having said that, does it say 101 XTR on the barrel or only on the price tag? I should be marked on the barrel. The reason I ask, I thought all of the XTR's were engraved, although there were all sorts of variations made including quail, lightweight, pigeon, etc.

In any case, all of the field model 101's I see for sale are $1000 or $1200. The more heavily engraved Pigeon models run on up in the $2k to $3k range.

There are quite a few experts, including more than a few at shotgunworld.com, who like the 101 better than any of the Citoris, etc. Some like them better than anything almost anything that isn't a London Best gun.

John

 

[auschip]

SSSHHHH you guys are going to let out the secret on the 101, and prices will go up again.

 

[Flynt]

It says 101 XTR on the barrel. Anybody know what XTR stands for? Thanks.

 

[JohnBT]

It's Winchester-ese for Extra. Better wood and finish, etc. Of course, there's XTR and then there are the Pigeon XTR guns that are much fancier and expensive.

I'm still looking for breakdown of the 101 models while I work (the computer is doing most of the work actually.) Somewhere in the back of my mind I think I read that the 101 XTR's had silver/coin-finished receivers with engraving, but I can't find a reference. Maybe the early ones were blued.

$800 still sounds like a very good deal no matter what kind of 101 it is, as long as it's in very good condition.

They are light guns and kick according to a lot of folks who prefer to shoot heavier guns.

John

 

[JohnBT]

Still can't find a comprehensive list of the models.

The Model 101 was introduced in 1963.

Along about 1978 Winchester starting selling guns with the XTR label. You could get XTR Model 70's, Model 94's - just about anything. Some folks said it was just a little glossier finish to compete with what Remington and Weaterby were doing.

John

 

[Flynt]

So this gun may be a 70's or 80's vintage gun. I wish I had noticed whether it said, "Made in Japan" on the barrel. I can get the serial number. Is there a source for looking up manufacture dates for Winchester serial numbers? Thanks again, guys.

 

[JohnBT]

SN list:

www.midwestgunworks.com/merchant2/m...GY&Category_Code=winchester-model-101-history

 

[Gordon]

101's are really, really good shotguns IMHO. I like my old 20 ga imp/mod gun as well as $4-$5 k current ones I've tried.

 

[mswestfall]

The Winchester 101 is a great shotgun!

Some of them can kick rather hard; straight back.

It is a gun with true, classic lines, is durable and generally nicer looking than guns in the same price range from the same era.

I've shot a few of them and liked them all.

 

[Flynt]

I plan to use the gun for sporting clays and a little skeet. Do you guys think it would be appropriate for those uses? (I'm a beginner and don't quite understand why some shotguns are marketed as "skeet," of "sporting clays.")

 

[Dave McCracken]

Flynt, Skeet guns have open chokes and/or interchangeable tubes. Sporting guns are fitted with tubes almost exclusively to allow different spreads for different presentations.

Exceptions can exist. I know of one Sporting course that could be shot well with a skeet choke, but most places have stations that need more constriction.

Trap guns are usually tightly choked and set up for trap. As a loose rule, they're not too adaptable to the other games.