Folks ,
Do many CA shooters use Winchester model 97 shotguns ?
I've got a 97 riot gun and was told to see if it could be used in CA Shooting .
Soup
The answer is yes.
But a genuine ‘97 riot gun may be too expensive and valuable to get beat up in CAS.
DF
What’s the average value of a early 20’s vintage 97 in unmolested and matching serial # decent shape(slight above average but not a safe queen)
Pardon my piggy backing on this thread.
Blue Book, 37th Ed., shows a 98% '97 trench gun with military markings, boyonet lug, vent handguard at $9,500.
I doubt there are many in that condition. Even 60% is $2,500.
So, you see why I made my earlier statement about a real '97 riot gun being too expensive to beat up shooting CAS. And, CAS guns generally take a beating.
Now, one without all the military parts and markings won't be worth that. But in good shspe, maybe still too pricey for CAS.
I picked up a late '30's vintage '97 in good shape. It had already been cut to 24". I had it fitted for chokes and used it in CAS. It already was pretty slick. Seems I have around $600 in it. To me, it's worth that.
Remember, the '97's nickname, "The Widowmaker", didn't happen in a vacuum. It can be a dangerous shotgun to those not familiar with it. It's a great shotgun to those who understand it and handle it accordingly.
DF
Uh I thought the moniker “Widow Maker” was reserved for the Winchester model 1911 shotgun that had the knurled barrel you pumped to chamber the shell. And no it was not a Browning design.
Uh I thought the moniker “Widow Maker” was reserved for the Winchester model 1911 shotgun that had the knurled barrel you pumped to chamber the shell. And no it was not a Browning design.
Yep, I’ve handled them and that moniker fits.
I’ve heard that applied to the ‘97 as well.
DF
Dirtfarmer I had not heard/read that about the 97. Interesting. What part of the functions of the 97 deem this, and does any of it transfer to the model 12? I am assuming that the slam fire abilities are what is coming into play.
The 1893 was the precursor to the '97 and had some issues that were corrected with the later gun.
Marlin made a pump gun and they are considered dangerous. It is my understanding many CAS clubs don't allow the Marlin.
The '97 is safe if someone understands the exposed hammer and handles it right.
Both will slam fire, but to me, the M-12 seems safer and I have both.
DF
Loved my old 1897 until my hunting buddy got his hands on it and promptly blew a crown in the top of my first car. I called it a Crown Victoria from that day, on, except that it was a 1950 Oldsmobile.
Loved my old 1897 until my hunting buddy got his hands on it and promptly blew a crown in the top of my first car. I called it a Crown Victoria from that day, on, except that it was a 1950 Oldsmobile.
Those old guns are not for the inexperienced, IMO.
Even experienced gun handlers need to be extra careful. More ways to mess up with that exposed hammer than with a M-12. At least it seems that way to me.
DF