winchester mod.50 12ga

[Chopperhead]

Just picked one of these up this afternoon for what we thought was a good price ($140). I checked the serial number and the Date of manufacture appears to be 1956. the gun itself is in pretty good shape with most of the blueing still present and the wood it self is in good shape but the finish on it is starting to go. shooting great, put about 40 shells through it tonight and no hiccups.

think It was a good deal?

couple questions for anyone who knows but the mag only holds 2rds is not normal for a semi? I always thought it was 3? the mag looks like it should hold 3 but it won't and there is no plug (that I could find anyway) so my question is, should this gun hold 2 or 3 shells???

also we baught it too go duck hunting next year do you guys think it's a good gun for that? it says it's got a full choke but I don't know what the diffrence in chokes are so I don't know if thats helpful or not.

(I can take pics if you wanna see it)

thanks
Kyle.

 

[dave_t73]

I have a Model 50 with a full choke. My mag holds 4 I think but its been a long time since I've had the plug out so I don't remember now. Should hold more than 2 though without the plug.

Like any older shotgun designed for lead, it won't pattern steel as fabulously as the new shotguns with their fancy chokes, but it'll get the job done. Its my favorite shotgun and has never failed me yet. Just reblued and she's looking like new again!

It should work well for you on ducks, geese, upland and just about everything. Quite a steal at $140 IMO.

 

[madtrapper143]

Model 50's only were made to hold two rounds in the magazine. There is no provision for a plug. They are great old guns. Timing is critical for these old girls or they will beat themselves up. Make sure the buffer tube and spring are clean and lubricated with a teflon like product. The timing is easy to check. Lock the action open and then see how far back you can push it further. There should be about a little less than 1/4" movement. If it is more than that have the timing set. With this job done that 50 will last forever.

cheers Darryl

 

[Chopperhead]

Model 50's only were made to hold two rounds in the magazine. There is no provision for a plug. They are great old guns. Timing is critical for these old girls or they will beat themselves up. Make sure the buffer tube and spring are clean and lubricated with a teflon like product. The timing is easy to check. Lock the action open and then see how far back you can push it further. There should be about a little less than 1/4" movement. If it is more than that have the timing set. With this job done that 50 will last forever.

cheers Darryl

ive never had a semi auto anything before so forgive me for being ignorant but what the heck is the buffer tube?? and im scared to take it apart to clean it good cause like i said i don't know anything about semi's. i started to do it, took the forestock off started to take the barrel off but then the action started to get loose and i stopped myself cause i don't wanna have to try and figure out how to re assable it if it falls apart on me.

 

[madtrapper143]

Locate the web site called "Shotgun World" via Google. Once there do a search for Winchester model 50. There is tons of info on the old 50. That's where I got my knowledge about them. They can be tricky to take apart but after a few times it's not too bad.

cheers Darryl

 

[sillymike]

I think you did good. I've got one of their "trap" model, it has to be one of the softest shooting shotgun I own. Personnaly I wouldn't put steel shots thru a full choke that wasn't design to handle steel... Try Bizmut instead.

They can be a little chalenging to take apart, so make sure you have some kind of parts diagram with you the first time you try it.

As long as you keep the floating chamber clean, they will work great.

 

[the_big_mike]

I dont know if I understood what you wrote but...

a full choke gives you a better pattern at longer ranges then other chokes

 

[tiriaq]

Older guns with full choke barrels may have the muzzle damaged by steel shot. In addition, steel shot usually patterns better from a more open choke.

 

[sillymike]

As shots goes thru the forcing cone and the choke, they get compressed. The thighter the choke, the more compression you will have.

Lead is pretty soft, when going thru a full choke, a certain amount of deformation would take place. Unfortunatly, steel shots do not compress as much as lead. Using steel shots in a barrel that wasn't design to handle the extra pressure/stress in the choke area might result in barrel failure.

As with anything else, it your gun and your safety, so you do as you please. You can call me wimp, but I would go hunting next to a guy shooting steel shots thru a M50 full choke barrel...