The Winchester Model 50

[MiG25]

The Model 50 along with the Model 12 were my first two shotguns. I still have at least 4 of them and 1 M59. The Model 50's all with vented ribs. I truly like the M50. The Winchester fellas bragged up the SX-1 saying it was superior to the M50 so eventually bought a Trap model with 3 barrels but I still prefer the Model 50's. Two of the M50's are skeet guns and the other 2 deluxe field guns. .One of the Skeets is a12 ga and the other a 20 ga. Here's a photo I have handy of the 20 ga WS-1 Skeet.

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Beauties

 

[Rod]

It's nice to see the Model 50 discovered for the great shotgun it is. A soft shooting shotgun that can be fired with one hand. It was Winchester's first successful semi auto shotgun after working with Browning and helping with the design and patents of his Auto 5. We all know the story there so Winchester worked with Carbine Williams designing the Model 50 utilizing William's floating chamber.

The M50 balances great with two shells in the mag and one in the chamber and even better with a vented rib. It requires very little maintenance when compared to gas operated semi's. The floating chamber needs to be cleaned and lubricated every so often but easy to do as the barrel comes off with a quick turn exposing the floating chamber. The recoil spring when new should measure 13" and 11" when it's tired. Timing is easy; just back off the screw until it won't lock back and tighten in 1/4 turns until it locks and continue to turn until with bolt locked back the rearward travel is an 1/8". After the M50 is cleaned and ready for storage it's wise to loosen off the bolt on the forearm to prevent from cracking on the front sides.

I had a spare moment today so I took a few photos. I had to include the M59 and Super X-1

1. Model 50 Skeet Grade 12 ga WS-1

2. Model 50 Field Grade 12 ga

3. Model 50 Field Grade 12 ga

4. Model 50 Skeet Grade 20 ga WS-1

5. Model 59 Field Grade Modified Choke 12 ga

6. Super X-1 Trap Grade

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[Buckmastr]

What an unbelievable collection! Thanks for the pics!!

 

[the spank]

Beauties!

 

[winchester12]

I'm very impressed with the model 50's,59 and SX-1. Your pics look great as well. I have had a 59 with a fixed MOD choke. It shot my 3/4oz loads effortlessly .

 

[Rod]

Rod,

That 20g Skeet. Would you know how much it weights?
- Gorgeous gun BTW

I weighed it this morning with one of those older spring scales. It showed 7 lbs.

 

[sillymike]

I weighed it this morning with one of those older spring scales. It showed 7 lbs.

Tks
While I'm usually not a fan of semi. But that skeet just looks right!
- Wonder what a sx1 would feels like with a slimmer forend and a straight stock...

 

[the spank]

Tks
While I'm usually not a fan of semi. That skeet just looks right!
- Wonder what sx1 would feels like with a slimmer forend and a straight stock...

SX1 field model has a slimmer forend and to my feel I like the target style forend.

 

[Rod]

Tks
While I'm usually not a fan of semi. But that skeet just looks right!
- Wonder what a sx1 would feels like with a slimmer forend and a straight stock...

I don't shoot the SX-1 as well as the M50's or M12's. The forend is fine but too much monte carlo on the stock. I've been tempted to remove enough so I'm in line with the gun but hate to mess with it.

 

[Rod]

This young crow got a taste of a 69 year old shotgun

You did a fine job refinishing the stock bringing out the fiddleback. It looks great.

Seeing those crows puts me in mind of years back shooting crows off my front porch with my M50.
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The second M50 on the photo shot quite a few pheasants around Vulcan and Blackie. Back then the old Vulcan WW2 airstrip had grown through with tall grass and the pheasants seemed to like running around in it. Different world back then, life was good.

 

[Buckmastr]

Thanks Rod.
Crows are a blast. Walking into an old farmyard you never know what’s going to fly out of the caraganas. I have to leave the owls and game birds alone. Vulcan is some nice country I drive through there every so often.