Winchester 101
- Thread starter Ranger Dave
- Start date
Yes, the model 101 production remains in Belgium. The 101 is a solidly built U/O that can take the punishment of high volume shooting.
Current field grade production consists of a low-profile variant that should offer advantages over the original design. One potential advantage is lower weight. This would be good for a field gun in the uplands, a skeet gun, or a sporting clays gun. The lower profile would be expected to improve handling as well.
I'm not convinced I'd like any of the competition models, though. Ported barrels are all but outlawed in international trap, and a competition gun without an adjustable butt pad is lacking, IMO.
Current field grade production consists of a low-profile variant that should offer advantages over the original design. One potential advantage is lower weight. This would be good for a field gun in the uplands, a skeet gun, or a sporting clays gun. The lower profile would be expected to improve handling as well.
I'm not convinced I'd like any of the competition models, though. Ported barrels are all but outlawed in international trap, and a competition gun without an adjustable butt pad is lacking, IMO.
If it fits you well, buy it. As mentioned above the coponents are manufactured in Belgium by FN, although they are assembled in Portugal to help keep the cost down. FN has produced over unders in Belgium under the Browning name for many years (higher end guns than the Brownings made in Japan). So FN are not new to the O/U game and are known for high quality products. I almost bought one myself until I ran into a bargain on a Beretta the was a couple hundred dollars less.
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I know of two that have been all over the world and fired many,many thouands of shells. I would buy one in a second, they are excellent.
I'd argue that the Japanese browning and winchester O/Us (all the original M101 came from japan) were every bit as well made as the belgian guns in the same price range, and probably better in a lot cases. I don't think the Japanese ever cured their stocks with salt, either.
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I agree that the browning shotguns manufactured in Japan by Miroku are very good guns. When I said that the higher end guns were made in Belgium I meant more ornate models, not necessarily guns of higher mechanical quality. My point really was that Belgian made FN/Browning guns have a very good reputation in Europe and elsewhere, and that with FN's history of producing quality game guns the new FN/Winchesters are likely just as good.
In the interest of full disclosure, my own competition gun is an older 101 Trap model with fixed chokes. I had an after-market adjustable comb and an adjustable butt pad kit installed.
I bought it used, so I don't know total round count, but I've put about 10,000 rounds through it since I bought it. The gun shows no sign of wear.
I bought it used, so I don't know total round count, but I've put about 10,000 rounds through it since I bought it. The gun shows no sign of wear.
If you reread what I wrote you will see that I said that Miroku made shotguns for Browning, not Winchester. I said this in response to a comment that the Japanese made Browning and Winchester guns were not inferior to European guns. I didn't comment on the quality of Japanese made 101s as I have no experience with them and don't like to comment on things I know little or nothing about.
It deffinately is, the general gist though is that the 101 is now made by FN ( who own the Winchester name). The new FN built 101 has little in common with the older guns made when Winchester was independent. As it is FN who now owns Winchester, and produces the new 101 in Belgium it seemed that discussing other FN shotguns, including those made in Belgium under the Browning name would give an idea of what type of quality is typical of FN produced O/Us. The discussion of Japanese made Brownings was started by someone who was under the impression that I thought being made in Europe made the guns inherently better. I know that this is not true, there have been plenty of shoddy European guns, including some Belgian ones.
I think that as the original poster is thinking of buying a new FN made gun, the important discussion point is whether FN builds a quality product. While the old 101s seem to get good reviews they are the same as the new guns only in name, I was also trying to ensure that the advertising ploy of trying to use the 101s historical prestige to sell new guns did not fool anyone into thinking that the old and new 101s the same design.
Win/64
What were you shooting? My older vintage 101 is a heavy piece, no less so because of the 30" barrels, and I find the recoil is largely absorbed. Naturally, I'm shooting 24g loads.
But, I'm still surprised to hear you say this. I know you have tried enough makes/models to know which beat you up, yet this is opposite of my experience.
Winchester 101 over/ under Light shotgun
Bumped for interest.
I got a line on brand new WINCHESTER 101 LIGHT OVER/UNDER.
What kind of money is in your opinion decent deal on these?
Any and all opinions welcome!
With apologies to Dave for jumping in his thread.
I just didn't want open another one on the pretty much same subject, and OP might like to hear few more things on the subject.
Bumped for interest.
I got a line on brand new WINCHESTER 101 LIGHT OVER/UNDER.
What kind of money is in your opinion decent deal on these?
Any and all opinions welcome!
With apologies to Dave for jumping in his thread.
I just didn't want open another one on the pretty much same subject, and OP might like to hear few more things on the subject.
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You didnt say what gauge,the sub gauges tend to be more pricey. I looked at a used but like new 101 pigion grade 28ga a few weeks ago that the seller,who is a long time gun dealer,was asking 3100 dollars. Ive seen lower grade 101's in 12ga sell for less than a grand.
