I did a search and didn't find an answer, so here is my question. Is the 1897 shotgun action strong enough to handle occasional slugs, or should it be avoided? Also is there any difference in strength between original winchesters and modern repros? Thanks
1897 Action Strength
- Thread starter fwm
- Start date
A qualified "yes". Any 1897 that was chambered for 2 3/4" shells will be able to fire rifled slugs (not sabot slugs). Most 1897's were full choke, so accuracy will vary between slug brands. Recoil should be crisp.
1897's made prior to approximately 1912, were chambered in 2 9/16". Many people who have these guns don't realise that the chambers are slightly shorter. When fired with 2 3/4" shells, these guns don't generally have a problem, except that the crimp opens into the forcing cone, driving up pressures beyond what was intended by the shell manufacturer, and increasing felt recoil noticeably. You don't really want to be shooting 2 3/4" slugs through those older '97s.
Those manufactured with 2 9/16th chambers generally have "Model 1897" engraved on the action bar. Those chambered for 2 3/4" usually have "Model 97" engraved on theirs. However, examples of both have been seen that don't conform to the norm.
In any make/model of shotgun with a rifled barrel, one uses the solid slug "sabot" slugs. With any smoothbore, rifled or Brenneke-style slugs are used. When shooting for accuracy, most shooters prefer guns choked modified or thereabouts.
Oops, forgot to answer the question.
The action is plenty strong, but not the major determining factor (see my previous post). The barrels are plenty strong, too, but more open chokes and minimum 2 3/4" chambers are highly recommended.
Modern repros are toy guns compared to the original (with the possible exception of a copy made by Chaparral, which I've never handled).
The action is plenty strong, but not the major determining factor (see my previous post). The barrels are plenty strong, too, but more open chokes and minimum 2 3/4" chambers are highly recommended.
Modern repros are toy guns compared to the original (with the possible exception of a copy made by Chaparral, which I've never handled).
Google "1897 dates of manufacture". You'll find a bunch of sites that have that info. One example:
ht tp://oldguns.net/sn_php/windateslookup.php?file=win1897.dat
