I like old Winchesters, anyone else have them?

WB
[subject]
Saturday, April 04, 2026, 12:23 (7 days ago)

I was thinking of what is in the safe. I sold my Winny M12, love them. I'd sure like to have a M24 double, but shorter 26" barrels. Most are 30". It was made to USE, a working man's gun. You can see it in the design, a neat shotgun. The 16's are tempting but ammo can be a pain.

Considering my shooting inventory of old classics; A M43 in .218 Bee and 6x Weaver. Shoots about 3-4" at 200 yds. not too bad for cast bullets. Backed off a little the brass lasts a long time. Then the M62A hammer pump .22. It's just fun. Visceral and mechanical to use. Brings back memories of the county fair. For 25 cents you could shoot (5) CB caps through one at a little red star. I never won anything though. I have a unique M1910 in .401 WSL. It's fun to make ammo but honestly the .351 would make more sense. Of late I bought a REAL 1873 levergun in .38 WCF. It is so pleasing to admire and hold. I have no doubts it will be a keen shooter. Albeit with the lightest of cast loads, mimic the BP pressure ammo. But a small, pleasurable, price to pay. There is an old mid 40's M64 lever .30-30 that is not too shabby in performance. A bit odd with long barrel and pistol grip stock, but historical and slick. I do not have a "real" example of the M1892 series. But we do have a couple Rossi Brazilian built versions in 20" .45 Colt and 16" .357. Not as slick out of the box as a real Winchester but with some polishing, wonderful improvements.

As mentioned I have kept room for a good field grade shotgun, and I've always wanted a pre-64 bolt gun. No real practical use anymore, I just like them. I've been looking over 1895's, real ones. The .35 is real interesting to me, most I see are .30-40 Govt. We spend our money on something, put it in the bank, why not put it in something you can enjoy while it appreciates?!

[image]

Winchester

ALK
[subject]
Saturday, April 04, 2026, 12:37 (7 days ago) @ WB

I inherited my grandfather's/father's model 94 in 30wcf, serial number puts it 1927. Still shoots a hits very well

Those are real desirable. "Pre-war" M94's

WB
[subject]
Saturday, April 04, 2026, 12:48 (7 days ago) @ ALK

The metallurgy was very good and production had all the kinks worked out. Some say the pinnacle of Winchesters.

I can see you are not looking at the 1895`oggling that

Gary Reeder
[subject]
Saturday, April 04, 2026, 16:11 (7 days ago) @ WB

little buck toothed lovely. She (if still alive) would be your great grandmother.

She sure was something! Passed in 1953.

WB
[subject]
Saturday, April 04, 2026, 16:46 (7 days ago) @ Gary Reeder

Every time I see the photo . . .

ORG
[subject]
Sunday, April 05, 2026, 07:47 (6 days ago) @ WB

. . . of them sitting in the grass, I can't help but wonder: don't they have chiggers where that photo was taken? :-D

They have little sand mites over there butI have

Gary Reeder
[subject]
Wednesday, April 08, 2026, 22:13 (2 days ago) @ ORG

never had any problems with chiggers.

Yep, they're neat.

ORG
[subject]
Sunday, April 05, 2026, 07:31 (6 days ago) @ WB

I have a .410 Model 37 “Steelbilt” Red-letter single, a 20ga Model 24 SxS double, and my grandfather’s 16ga Model 97 pump. I think the Model 24 is the slickest-looking SxS ever made. My dad shot a 16ga he had “permanently borrowed” from a buddy of his. I was never able to find a 16ga I could afford. The Model 97 is well-worn, being a 1940 vintage, but still works quite nicely. With respect to its action, gramps referred to it as his “rattely-bang” gun. :-D

I have one of the most complicated shotguns

Gary Reeder
[subject]
Sunday, April 05, 2026, 13:19 (6 days ago) @ WB

I have ever seen. It is the Winchester model 11 SL (for Self Loading) It has serrations on the front of the barrel. You set the butt of the gun on the floor or ground, hold on to the serrations with both hands and push down on it. The bolt moves backwards and when coming back forward picks up the next round. It you don't do it right when the bolt slams forward it will fire. (one of the reasons they called it the Widow Maker) Even Winchester mentiones this feature in their description. It has no bolt handle, just a couple of buttons on the side of the action. There are a couple of odd features on the gun, one being at the rear of the action. No idea what it's for.
I will try to get some pics of this odd bird.

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