1897 questions

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NORTEXED

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Just received a 97 at Christmas time (My younger brother passed away in July, and my nieces came over to my Mom's Christmas day and brought it to me. Said they wanted me to have a rememberance from their Dad, pretty special). I dated it to 1920 manuf., and it is a takedown, pretty decent shape but reblued, and Little Bro had the 30" cut back to 20" by a professional. I saw a heatshield /bayo lug attachment (real nice one) in a gunshop Tuesday near Houston for $119.00 and like it, but wonder what that does to the takedown function, and if the bottom of the barrel has to be grooved for the cross screws. It'sall original except for the blue and cut down, tight and mirror bore. He did not have the barrel d/t for a bead, which I understand the originals with heat shields did not have either. Was probably looking for a shield himself. I do kinda cringe at the thought of grooving the barrel though. Comments/ suggestions???
 
I do kinda cringe at the thought of grooving the barrel though. Comments/ suggestions???
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It's already re-blued with the barrel cut and no front bead and if you want to make into a trench gun that you will enjoy I would go for it! It not like you are destroying anything IMO.
 
Thanks, still toying with the idea, sure like the looks though. Next question, I am having a fit trying to break the gun down. The mag tube is a bear to rotate, (by hand of course, would not use a cheater), and even rotated, the mag tube doesn't slide up. I have soaked the junction of the mag tube and take down joint with liquid wrench, which helped a little, but not much. I printed out takedown instructions, but am having a hard time being sure which way to rotate (looking at it from the end of the barrel). Clockwise from end of barrel, right? Slide forward, and tube should slide out slightly and the slide move forward more?
 
I printed out takedown instructions, but am having a hard time being sure which way to rotate (looking at it from the end of the barrel).
Click to expand...

These can be really stuck on some of the older Winchesters. It is very easy to make the bottom of the magazine tube egg shaped getting it out if you don't have it quite lined up correctly. When in doubt let someone who is very knowledgeable with either a M97 or a M12 try to get it apart for you. If you get the bottom egg shaped the rounds will stick in the mag. tube and not feed out correctly. You can guess how I know! Mine would up going to a gunsmith.
 
Also, can you bump the slide (by hand of course) pretty hard to get the tube to slide up? Instructions say slide tube up first then move slide up to disengage.
 
Personally I would go for it. You'll end up with a nice trench gun. You can probably look around and pick up a second barrel if you need one for a spare.

Great guns and I envy you. I've been looking for a 1897 or M12 trench gun for a long time.
 
Finally got it apart, the mag tube was really stuck in extension, but lots of liquid wrench and gentle coaxing finally got it to move. took apart and cleaned and lubed and still snug, but working. Next question is, I am on the last notch in the adjusting sleeve and it's still a tiny bit loose. Would a shim correct this (Brownells has them) but I'm not sure where it goes. Does it fit between the barrel and receiver extension, or between extension and adjusting sleeve?
 
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Finally got it apart, the mag tube was really stuck in extension, but lots of liquid wrench and gentle coaxing finally got it to move. took apart and cleaned and lubed and still snug, but working. Next question is, I am on the last notch in the adjusting sleeve and it's still a tiny bit loose. Would a shim correct this (Brownells has them) but I'm not sure where it goes. Does it fit between the barrel and receiver extension, or between extension and adjusting sleeve?

DSCN1352-1.jpg
 
Nice!

Go for it! Makes me fantasize about cutting mine down, but it's a 32" full choke TD and I would be cast into the lake of eternal castigation... Love those short-barrelled 97s!
 
If it were me, I might have a bead professionally installed, or not, but otherwise not change a thing. It's got a story now, and if you want pimped out tactical shotgun you could easily find one or make one up. "My little brother's Winchester 1897" is something you're not likely to find again.
 
Got the shims from Brownells today, used 1 shim, and backed the ring back to 1/2 way (which centers the threads in the receiver). Tight fit, but locked up by hand, and is tight as a drum now.:)
 
Finished the "refinish" on my 97 butt stock. It was such a "dirty piece of board", and after Defarris' reccomendation of Minwax Antique Oil Finish, and 2 weeks of work, I'm happy:

Before:
1897stockbefore.jpg

After:
1897stockafter-1.jpg

1897stockafter-2.jpg

I do like the black pad on Red Cents 97 on the right. Thats the next step, can you tell me what it is (Looks like a Pachy Leatherface)
 
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