Winchester 37 16 gauge

[Lo2w]

I've been wanting to get into rabbit and squirrel hunting, maybe deer and turkey, and found the Winchester at the local shop. It's on layaway but looking forward to taking it out in the woods.

Any suggestions on getting it set up? Looking at adding a sling. Not sure about sights or doing a higher visibility bead.

 

[Sistema1927]

I would be interested in knowing what you paid for it and in what condition.

I had one as a boy, in 12 ga. It was given me for Christmas, along with a couple of boxes of high brass shells. I remember taking it out in the desert on Christmas Day and ending up with a pretty good shoulder bruise after firing off 8 or 10 shells.

 

[Lo2w]

$300 with tax. Looked to be in very good condition.

 

[cdb1]

Shotguns are meant to be pointed, not aimed at squirrels and rabbits, IMO. I'd leave the bead the way it is.

 

[SwampWolf]

The Model 37 is a reminder of a grand era long ago lost; where affordable single-shot shotguns and .22 rifles were found under Christmas trees all around America for deserving youngsters. Along with the Model 37 were single-shot shotguns made by Harrington & Richardson (the "Topper") and Iver Johnson (the "Champion"); all selling for under fifty bucks or so. I am made to wonder why such shotguns (and equivalent rifles) wouldn't have a viable market today?

 

[zb338]

I can answer your question Swamp Wolf. We spoil our kids today. I notice the kids at the gun
club shooting Anchutz .22 rifles that cost as much as my car. When I go to shoot clays the
kids are shooting beautiful Browning 20 gauge over and unders. All they do is ask and it's
under the tree.
Zeke

 

[ridgerunner1965]

i used to hunt bunnies with a single shot. i carried a extra shell between my forefingers on the front stock.crazy how fast you could reload it.

i was a lot hungrier then tho.

 

[F250GUY]

I have a friend that has an M-37 in 12 gauge 2 3/4" only with full choke, he calls it a "Side Letter", W.V.A accent he has. He used to win turkey shoots with it all the time. I have a New England Arms single shot "Long Tom" 12 ga. 3" MOD. choke, if I need to shove a slug out of a 12 gauge. I hunted rabbits with both mine and his shotguns, awesome shotguns.

 

[cdb1]

I am made to wonder why such shotguns (and equivalent rifles) wouldn't have a viable market today?

I don't believe there is much of a viable market today because you can get a serviceable pump new for $200.00.

 

[expat_alaska]

I don't believe there is much of a viable market today because you can get a serviceable pump new for $200.00.

That may be true for the newer guys, but my first shotgun was a Springfield Arms (Chicopee Falls, Mass, now Savage/Stevens) 20 gauge that I killed my first pheasant with in 1965 when I was 13. I used it until I acquired an 870 12 gauge in 1969. My Dad then commandeered that single-shot and converted it to a .357 Max using a barrel from Numrich Arms to hunt deer in Nebraska. There are plenty of folks who use single-shot rifles (Ruger #1, #3, Winchester High/Low Walls, et al) to hunt game.

https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2...s-stevens-301-affordable-single-shot-shotgun/

Single shots just might be an old man's game.

Jim

 

[Lo2w]

Shotguns are meant to be pointed, not aimed at squirrels and rabbits, IMO. I'd leave the bead the way it is.

Single shots just might be an old man's game.

Jim

Or us young uns with an old soul.

 

[cdb1]

I believe single shots are a matter of taste, just like any other firearm. I grew up hunting in the 60's with a single shot 12 gauge and 16 gauge SxS, both ancient. I have no desire too have a single shot or bolt action shotgun, but obviously many people do.