should i restore my, western field model 30 12ga

troy fairweather · May 20, 2019

i picked up this model 30 a month or so ago. it's in ok shape. the action arm will slip out from the bolt if i twist the forend, think i can just weld the hook and file to fit better. the wood is not bad. looks like there could more then one layer off the finish. checking looks worn some but maybe it filled in with the stock finish. no big cracks, there maybe a very small one behind the top tang it looks more like the shalace or what ever they used is cracked.

the butt looks fine. all metal is good some ware on the high spot. no dents in the barrel. i do see the firing pin has broke, i read that is common with these. i will jut weld it up like new. everything works or looks fine for the age. from what i found this gun is from 1925 to 1929. the bore is mint, looks like it' brand new in there.

the barrel is 32'' full choke. i was thing of cutting it to 30 or 28, i will see what the bore diameter is if i cut it there. for the bluing, i have a full bottle of rust bluing solution. i will have to make/find a boil tank.

id like to see what yo think, i plan to shoot this a bit. i picked it up for $110 otd, these tend not to bring much and have no collectors value. tho it has browning patents and a very good take down barrel. making it a trench gun crossed my mind, but i was just looking for a decent old pump, don't have the money for win model 12 or a ithaca.

newfalguy101 · May 20, 2019

So long as you are realistic about the value, I dont see why not.

At the very least, its more practice, and at the end of the day, you will have the nicest Westernfield m30 around.

kudu · May 21, 2019

The choke is generally in the last inch of barrel, 2" cut off will give a cylinder choke more than likely. I would leave the barrel full choke and have a trap gun or take 6-8" off for a shorter handier gun.

PapaG · May 21, 2019

You won't hurt the value on this by leaving it alone. It won't go down much with a refinish. Cutting off the choke would be the most detrimental unless you go down to 18 or 20" and make a HD or riot gun. In any case it is just a nice old piece of Americana and worth having for an example. Dollar value is not much no matter what you do.

Sovblocgunfan · May 21, 2019

These guns are great ones, although they dont have a collector following or much appreciation. They were not terribly expensive when new, and although quality firearms, they were quite often horribly abused. I dont see very many that are pristine. Built like tanks, though and have that natural sight plane that JMB liked to employ. You can see some design cues in common between this gun and the original BAR.

I have one of these shotguns. Was missing some parts when I bought it. Found those at Numrich and also made a buttstock repair.

You can still find replacement parts for these so I wouldn’t hesitate to restore it to your liking. I took mine dove hunting last year.

Also found a separate front end and cut that one down to 20” and fit it to my action. Looks like something that Frank Hamer would have wanted in his car!!

troy fairweather · May 21, 2019

Yes very much like a bar. I'd like to find a barrel. I like trench guns. But don't want to cut this barrel since the bore is so nice. The gun has some good heft but points good for a 32'' barrel. I'd like to find or make a takedown case for it.

jmorris · May 21, 2019

I haven’t done a thing to mine. It’s in the same condition it was when it sat in my Grandmothers kitchen pantry.

Jackrabbit1957 · May 22, 2019

Fix it, use it, enjoy it!

mingo · May 22, 2019

Yep, times 2 on fix it and use it. It would make a great Turkey gun with a nice tight choke and a long barrel.
It was meant to be used and used some more.

troy fairweather · May 22, 2019

mingo said:
Yep, times 2 on fix it and use it. It would make a great Turkey gun with a nice tight choke and a long barrel.
It was meant to be used and used some more.

Ya have to see how she patterns. Do they make 2 3/4 turkey loads? I would load up some #5 loads with the brass shells,but don't want to mix them up with the black powder one's.

Nathanael_Greene · May 22, 2019

I love "department store" guns.

I have an SS Kresge (Boito) o/u 20 gauge, just for fun.

And a Westernfield version of a Mossberg 500, C-lect choke and very nice furniture.

They won't fund my retirement, but they're nice to look at.

So I say, if you like it, fix it. They ain't making any more of 'em.

Jackrabbit1957 · May 23, 2019

Hey Troy yes they make turkey loads in 2 3/4 shells. I would be more concerned about the chamber having a short forcing cone, makes the gun kick like a mule.

troy fairweather · May 23, 2019

Jackrabbit1957 said:
Hey Troy yes they make turkey loads in 2 3/4 shells. I would be more concerned about the chamber having a short forcing cone, makes the gun kick like a mule.

Ya there looks to be very little cone, the chamber looks square and not a cone.

Jackrabbit1957 · May 23, 2019

Brownells has a reamer to lengthen the forcing cone. Or you could check around and see if a local gunsmith can do it. I would strongly recommend it, think of the forcing cone as a single door with 20 fat guys trying to get through it at the same time, something has to give. The door becomes a double door after the cone is lengthened and reduces recoil and helps save your shoulder.

mingo · May 23, 2019

Nathanael_Greene said:
I love "department store" guns.

I have an SS Kresge (Boito) o/u 20 gauge, just for fun.

And a Westernfield version of a Mossberg 500, C-lect choke and very nice furniture.

They won't fund my retirement, but they're nice to look at.

So I say, if you like it, fix it. They ain't making any more of 'em.

I have a Sears 20ga double barrel that is like a I believe a Savage fox model B. Really nice wood and a lot of grouse, woodcock, and pheasants were bagged with that gun. Not worth prolly more than a few hundred bucks, but the memories are priceless.

should i restore my, western field model 30 12ga

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