Bought a winchester 1897 off of somebody here and, as with other takedown models, the barrel to receiver fit was a bit loose. From what I've gleaned online, the solution is simple and an actual feature built into these shotguns. I took down the shotgun, rotated the teeth one notch over, and now it's on its last (it was obviously well used). If it starts to loosen again I've read about buying a replacement adjustment sleeve and also barrel shims from Brownells (http://w ww.brownells.com/shotgun-parts/barrel-parts/barrel-related-parts/winchester-1897-12-barrel-shims-prod1617.aspx). Does anyone have any experience here with either of those solutions?
Winchester '97 tightening barrel
- Thread starter Alex_Zues
- Start date
The replacement interrupted-thread collar is available in 5 graduated levels. That is to say, there's the original bushing that came with the gun from the factory and, when the gun gets to the point where it can no longer provide adjustment, you replace it with a #2 bushing. When it in turn has used all it's adjustment, you go to the #3, and so on up to the final #6 sleeve.
I have and have owned and sold numerous Winchester 1897's over the years. 3 of them reached the stage where a #2 sleeve was required. The replacement sleeve worked flawlessly and without fitting or other fussing in all 3 cases. I own, but have never needed, #3 sleeves.
My first 1897 was originally purchased by my grandfather and remains in the family to this day. It went 85 years (with constant use) before it needed a #2 sleeve. By my calculations, using the available sleeves, an average 1897 should be good for at least 500 years before it needs the talents of a machinist/gunsmith.
I have and have owned and sold numerous Winchester 1897's over the years. 3 of them reached the stage where a #2 sleeve was required. The replacement sleeve worked flawlessly and without fitting or other fussing in all 3 cases. I own, but have never needed, #3 sleeves.
My first 1897 was originally purchased by my grandfather and remains in the family to this day. It went 85 years (with constant use) before it needed a #2 sleeve. By my calculations, using the available sleeves, an average 1897 should be good for at least 500 years before it needs the talents of a machinist/gunsmith.
