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Winchester 1897 Got a New Forend

2K views 5 replies 3 participants last post by  Firpo 
#1 ·
Hi All,

Well I checked the mail this morning and there it was. My replacement "Action Slide Handle" that I ordered from Numrich. I was so excited :D. As you can see from the pictures someone had replaced the original, broken I'm sure, and fitted another from a different make shotgun. To me it looked like heck. The barrel is an original Cyl, not a cut down 30" which I think is pretty cool too. Now that everything looks as correct as it can I think I'll take it to the skeet range for a round or two. Not to sure how much life is left in the gun as I'm on the last adjustment notch to keep the receiver/barrel connection snug. If anyone has fixes on that problem I'm all eyes.
 

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#3 ·
Looking good, Firpo! I went just about the same way as you. I have a 1932 Mfr 1897. Had the long (32"?) full choke barrel. I got the riot barrel from Numrich, and also replaced the cracked fore arm. What I did at first was to swap out the barrel extension parts from the long barrel to the riot barrel.

I ended up wanting to be able to do a quick swap back from riot barrel to the longer full choke hunting barrel. I bid on a complete action slide and mag tube, bought a couple of the barrel adjusting sleeves and now have two quick change barrels for it. If you decide to ever pick up a long full choke barrel and do this yourself, PM me and maybe I can help out some. I have a decent 12 gauge long full choke barrel and adjusting sleeve along with some misc parts left over.
 
#4 ·
Jim,

That is VERY kind of you to offer but guess what? I have two 97's with the second as a factory full choke, guess it's 32" and not 30". That's a great idea of making a combo set.
 
#5 ·
Those adjusting sleeves seem to have been made to different specifications. You said that the one you have is at the end of it's adjustment? I think I used 2 or 3 different ones before I found the one that snugged my barrel to the receiver and had the adjusting notches line up properly.

A lot of shooters seem to think the 1897 clunky and dated. I like mine a lot. The action is slick and it's faster than lightening. It sees use every night out here for coyote duty with the riot barrel and 00 buck (had to give the M1 Carbine a break because my shooting eye 'went south' and until Doc fixes it I rely on the '97 for night duty).
 
#6 ·
It's kind of hard to argue that it isn't clunky and dated. Heck, my two are closing in on a century. That doesn't mean they aren't completely cool. I can't imagine anyone not wanting at least one in their gun safe. Here's a picture of the two that I have and enjoy thoroughly. I'll be taking the shorty out to the skeet range this week so we'll see how I do. It's been a few years since I've taken a shot at the skeet range.
 

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