Winchester 1897

[Davk]

I recently purchased a Winchester 1897, serial number 428***. So it was made in 1909. I'm fairly certain its a riot version. It has a 20 in barrel with a full choke. There are no markings for the chamber size. From what I have read, it should be 2 5/8 or 2 9/16. But either way I have visited every gun shop and chain store like gander mtn. and farm and fleet and have mostly come across 2 3/4 or larger. One gun shop had 2 1/2. Would it be ok to shoot the 2 1/2 shells? Or even 2 3/4 light loads?

 

[bubba15301]

shoot the 2 1/2 shells

 

[NORTEXED]

Should a 1920 manufacture have the full 2 3/4" chamber, no markings on mine.

 

[whitecoyote]

It has a 20 in barrel with a full choke.

If your barrel is 20", and marked "full choke" it has been cut.

 

[Messenger Guard]

I agree, It has been cut down.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

A simple way to check if it's choked is try a dime in the muzzle. If it fits it's not choked...

 

[308win]

Why not have the chamber/barrel reamed to shoot 23/4?

Lengthening forcing cone

 

[451 Detonics]

I would have a knowledgeable smith check the chamber and see just what it is chambered for. Many that were meant to use the shorter shell have already been reamed for 2 3/4. Seeing as yours have been cut it wouldn't surprise me the chamber had been lengthened as well. If not I would go ahead and have it done.

 

[ruddy]

All riot guns had cylinder chokes, so I agree that the barrel has been cut off. All 12 gauge Model 97s were made with 2 3/4" chambers according to every authoritative source I've seen. The 1893s came with 2 5/8" chambers.

An easy way to check is to shorten a 20 gauge empty by an inch and insert it into a 12 gauge empty. If it chambers, you're OK for 2 3/4" shells.

I have a 1901 vintage 16 gauge with a lengthened forcing cone that digests modern field loads with no trouble. I'm sure your 12 gauge would handle up to 3 1/4 dram 1 1/4 ounce loads just fine.

 

[hoofchaz]

I have a 1903 (or 1905 I forget) 1897 that I use for cowboy action. I have fired hundreds of 2 3/4 inch shells through it, mostly rapid fire. No problems so far, it goes bang everytime.
Thanks,
CHAZ

 

[Jack2427]

The 97 is one of the great Browning designs. It does have a couple of weak points however, I have a clutch of them and I always keep a couple of extra ejectors on hand. They tend to be a little stiff for the first century or so.............

 

[Red Cent]

Ruddy, after seven years of cowboy shooting and working on the 97, I have learned that you can find a number of authoritative articles on whether the '97 was a 2 3/4" shotgun. I have read a couple of articles where the author took the middle road and stated that the 2 3/4" chamber started sometime early 1900.
I have owned a bunch of 97s and presently own a takedown model, two solid frames, and a replica '93.
I agree with some of the others. For about $50.00, have the forcing cone lengthened.

 

[ruddy]

An easy way to check is to use a chamber length gauge. The homemade one I mentioned above works as well as any. I learned about it from a gunsmith. Be sure to check with the barrel in the gun.

That being said, I have also read that back in the paper hull days, chambers were cut a bit short to improve patterns.

I've had two 12 gauge M97s (1924 and 1954 vintages), and have used many, many rounds of 2 3/4" 3 dram 1 1/8 oz 7 1/2 shells in both in Cowboy Action Shooting.