Is the Winchester 101 a reasonable trap gun?

montaggio

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I've noticed some good 101's around at very reasonable (or so it appears) prices. Was thinking of picking one up for trap. Are they are reasonable trap gun or is there a reason that the prices are so low? Is there any model / setup in particular that is best suited? Any info appreciated - looking to get back into trap shooting after a long (pushing 20 yrs!) absence. Thanks again.
 
I am under the impression that there is a Winchester 101 trap model. Check out this one here it is nice.

http://www.losttarget.com/sale/forsale.html

I have seen a few around but I really don't know much about them. Wayne, a fella I sold a gun to is looking for a pigeon grade trap 101 and I think there may even be a diamond grade as well ??

The only thing I have heard about them is that they kick hard, but having never shot one it is only here say.

Jacky
 
I'm no expert, but I love the 101's.... the 12g models don't kick any harder than any other shotgun that I can tell. I just picked up a 101 in 20g that I have not fired yet, so I can't say about the kick on that, but I have shot 12g 101's and don't think there is any difference.

If it fits you, don't hesitate. They are very well built guns with a long history of popularity among hunters and trap shooters.

There must be 3 zillion different models to choose from though, so it gets confusing trying to sort them all out. Find one with interchangeable chokes if you can. Otherwise, a fixed mod/full with 28" or 30" bbls would work fine for trap.

One of the things I like about them is the mechanical triggers, instead of intertia as most o/u shotguns today have.
 
Winchester made trap model 101s. The trap Diamond Grade is particularly desirable. The problem is trying to pry them from the hands of the owners. :lol:

I've owned a couple of 101s although not in 12 gauge. They didn't kick any harder than simiarl guns. The 101 has a lot to recommend it including the mechanical triggers and the fact the bottom of the action is closed unlike the Citori.
 
I had heard the '101s kick like a mule' warning as well, even from some very knowledgeable shooters. It could just be a fit or recoil pad issue. But they are well-regarded guns.

Another one to keep a look out for is Miroku (they make the Browning o/u guns). Same gun, but No Name price. It is NOT a 101, just like a Browning 525 is NOT a 101.

Grouse Man
 
Grouse Man said:
Another one to keep a look out for is Miroku (they make the Browning o/u guns). Same gun, but No Name price. It is NOT a 101, just like a Browning 525 is NOT a 101.
The Winchester 101 was made by a company called Olin-Kodensha. It was a separate company formed by Winchester and Miroku to make the 101. This is why the 101 is similar to the Citori in many ways but not all.

Among the few unheralded bargains in over/unders are guns branded Nikko or Golden Eagle. They are to the Winchester 101 as Mirokus are to Brownings. The Nikkos and Golden Eagles are the same guns, made in the same place, by the same people who made the 101 but without the red W are available at a lower price.

After Winchester pulled up stakes in Japan, the 101 continued in production for a couple of years under the name "Classic Doubles." Of the Classic Doubles I've seen, they seem to have a better quality of wood and engraving than the standard grade 101s.

Winchester also produced a model 1001 that were made in Italy. They are best avoided. Winchester recalled all of them if I remember correctly but undoubtedly there are still some out there.
 
Some of the 101 field guns had quite a kick to them but it was mainly due to stock dimensions not fitting most shooters. The trap gun had different dimensions and I've never noticed that they kick any more than any other gun and I shot quite a few of them. If you want a 101 for trap and want to know which one is best the answer would the trap version. If your even thinking about being semi serious about the game a proper trap gun is the only way to go. If you want an all around gun get a sporting gun.

Tim
 
I still say the mule kicking thing is an urban legend. I have shot lots of 101's in 12g and 20g (and now I even own a couple) and they do not hit any harder than any other o/u I have owned or shot. I call bull####. :lol:
 
winchester said:
I agree with the heavy kick of the Winchester 101,but if you have the forcing cones lenghtend it tames them right down.

I agree. I have a 101 that has had some weight added to it, an adjustable comb, lazer ported, backbored, and cones done. I have no problem with the kick, and have shot in doubles marathons without getting shell-shock. Used the gun now for three years, and love it.

I often wonder if people who complain about the 101's recoil have had the gun properly fitted for them?

The price of the 101's is creeping upward, as I think they are slowly being recognised as a decent gun. Many are upwards of $1000.
 
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101's for 1000.00?

Wow I could see that for a pidgeon grade, I saw a field model in full and mod the other day for 750.00 at P&D, is this a goog buy?
 
Fassteel said:
Wow I could see that for a pidgeon grade, I saw a field model in full and mod the other day for 750.00 at P&D, is this a goog buy?

That would be about right for a field model in good shape. If it has had any modifications, adjustable comb, backbored, or? etc. it would be a "good" buy. Check to see that it it tight at the hinge, that the rib is on tight, bore is not pitted etc. I can only see these getting more expensive as time goes on, as they are a pretty hardy shotgun. A field model 101 could be converted to a good useable trap gun.
 
Owned several Winchester 101's and Classic Doubles, both in Trap & Skeet configurations. . Particularly liked the Diamond Grade Trap 101's and the Classic Doubles 2-barrel " American Live Flyer" ( actually made a few bucks on that one ). Good guns and quite reliable. The Trap Model Guns in each manufacture, do in fact make pretty good Trap guns ... but they aren't the higher-end Beretta, Perazzi or Kreighoff competition guns in terms of either their quality and/or price. Lengthened focing cones will definitely benefit the 101's. Classic Doubles were overbored ( .740 ) and have long, smooth forcing cones. Recoil was not an issue.
 
I've put over 100,000 through mine and the only problem I had was a broken firing pin. Cursory cleaning every season and that's about it. Shoots flat through the bead (field model). I'm not sure about the trap model.
 
Diamond Pigeon 101 Trap is the way to go

The trap model does not kick like the field models, the trpa model is more thatn on pound heavier the stock fits adn the head is up a little due to the raised rib. Mine has 32" barrrles and hits jsut as well and just as comfortably as the Beretta 682gold E or the DT10, not as lively because he barrels have more weightbut that buck the wind better, not as whippy.
But please don't try to use a 28" field gun because it will hurt you. The diffenece betweent he two guns is night and day.
Then there is the 20 guage, sigh....
 
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