Winchester 42...???

[Ed from Maine]

I am a pistol and rifle shooter, just recently started shooting shotguns, I have a Winchester m.12 in 16 ga. and a 20 ga. Ithaca 37, both from the '40's. I just stumbled across a birth year piece, which for me is 1940, a Winchester model 42 pump, .410...I love the lines, the question is, what can I do with a .410 pump? I am new to trap shooting, not good enough to try it there...it is Modified choke, 28" plain barrel. May not be the brightest idea, but hey....it has a certain emotional retro appeal, and there are not all that many 1940 models out there in addition to me...
An alternative for roughly the same money (or a little less) would be a new CZ Ringneck SxS, in 20, or 28, or even .410, I like the workmanship and fit on these, and the Prince of Wales grip, and single trigger, and the LOP feels right...I have been very pleased with my CZ rifles.
I may take up upland bird shooting, but right now, it is just clay birds.

 

[oneounceload]

Make a good dove gun, fun gun for 5-stand, non-serious fun at the 16 yard line

I do not believe that CZ makes the rifles in the same country (Turkey) as their shotguns

Personally, I would take the 42 if it is in real good condition

 

[TomADC]

I'd go for the 42 and have the choke opened up to skeet and have a ball with it. Old friend of mine has a 42 skeet gun, smooth shooting much smoother then my model 12 28 ga.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

The last 42 I saw for sale was in Tulsa a few years ago. Condition was probably 98%, price was $4800.

If you found one you can afford, grab it, quick!

 

[JohnBT]

The ones I usually see are like this one www.gunsamerica.com/954628157/Guns/...ction/Hunting/Winchester_Model_42_28_Full.htm

97% condition (or worse), full choke and about $1700 (or more.)

They're great guns, I'm just not too big on .410s. I do have a Win Model 37 that I like, but don't use very often.

John

 

[JohnBT]

Here you go, $4695 with "custom engraving"

www.gunsamerica.com/965989754/Guns/...nting/Winchester_model_42_custom_engraved.htm

 

[Ed from Maine]

Passed on it...

Not because I didn't like it, I did...but the stock had been cut back to 13" lenght of pull, and I am 6'3", with 37" sleeve length, and I need close to 15". I suppose I could fool around with slip on sleeves with spacers in them, but...I wonder, could a good smith replace the stock without doing violence to the existing one (so it could be put back into 'found' condition' at some point in the future) and without costing an arm and a leg?
The advice I was getting from a couple of apparently experienced customers was that fit was everything, if it didn't fit, walk away.
They had a small Winchester pump collection that had come in from an estate, but those pieces pretty much duplicated what I already have, a 1942 16 ga. model 12 in nice shape, and a 1949 Ithaca m.37 20 ga., slightly rougher shape, but functions fine, both full choke.
So I saved my money and came home. but i did learn something else, those new CZ doubles, they don't quite do it for me, after spending some time with the vintage pieces in that Winchester collection, I believe the salesman, who said "It has to have a heartbeat..."

 

[Fred Fuller]

"It has to have a heartbeat..."

I can see why some people feel that way. Personally, I generally prefer the "framing hammer" approach to tools, including firearms- as long as it does the job, works well, doesn't cost an arm and a leg, and I can get another one just like it if I need it, I'm good to go.

Just a 'different strokes' sort of thing...

lpl

 

[MG]

"I'd go for the 42 and have the choke opened up to skeet and have a ball with it. Old friend of mine has a 42 skeet gun, smooth shooting much smoother then my model 12 28 ga."

I don't have time to dig out my old manuals / publications, but I think that Winchester "modified" choke and "sheet" chokes are the same, for Model 42 .410 shotguns. And, I think that this holds true for the Model 12 28ga as well.