1897 Winchester fires prematurely

[Jake Roberts]

I have a 1897 Winchester that fires when you slide the pump action closed. I read an article several years ago about a simple fix for this problem. I can't remember what this article said. Does anyone know how to correct this problem?

 

[Ron James]

Taking your finger off the trigger usually keeps a slam fire from happening.

 

[lesjones]

To expand on what Jake said...

Semi-automatic guns have a disconnector. (I know your gun's not a semi. Bear with me.) After you pull the trigger and the hammer drops the link between hammer and trigger is disconnected. To fire the gun again you have to release the trigger and pull it again.

Modern slide actions have a disconnector, too, but some of the early ones did not. If you keep the trigger pulled and work the slide the trigger is still connected to the hammer and the hammer will fall again and fire the gun.

So, yeah, release the trigger if you're done firing. Here's the Wikipedia article on disconnectors, and it specifically mentions the Winchester 1897 as lacking a disconnector.

A trigger disconnector is a type of safety in a firearm, which prevents the trigger from being held down after a shot has been fired. This disallows either automatic fire or deliberate "slam fire", depending upon the particular firearm's action. Notable firearms that lack this feature include machine guns, the Winchester Model 1897, the Winchester Model 12, and Ithaca 37 shotguns.​

 

[Jim K]

Sounds good, but it is not quite true. The 97 does not have a disconnector as such but it does disconnect. If it did not, the hammer would simply follow the bolt down and would have to be cocked for the next shot.

What actually happens is that the trigger and sear are designed so that if the trigger is held back while the action is worked, the trigger interferes with the sear on closing the bolt, and trips the sear, causing the hammer to fall. That is not accidental, it is part of the design and was apparently intended to work that way.

But wear or parts work over the years can cause the sear to trip when the bolt is closed even if the trigger is NOT being held back. So I would not automatically assume that a 97 firing when the bolt closes is due to the trigger being held. The gun needs to be looked at by someone who knows those old guns.

Jim

 

[jpcampbell]

True excesive wear is probably the culprit or a weak spring, but i would look for crude as well sometimes it is the simplest thing like a little rust or dirt causing the problems.

 

[Clark]

I built a 97 from parts salvaged from two 1897s.

The AGI videos are sometimes good, and the 97 Win AGI video is really good.

There are 100 parts in a 97, more than any other gun.

With the video, I can take them apart down to the last part and put them together.

 

[1911Tuner]

'97 Winchester

Apparently it was designed to work that way....agreed. The Model 12 shares that little feature, and has been used many times to demonstrate that a practiced man with a pump can effect a faster rate of fire than with a semi-auto. Some of the demonstrators were so fast with the '12 that they could empty the magazine in what almost sounded like one continuous roar.

But...A '12 or '97 that fires on bolting without holdin' the trigger ain't good.
Get it fixed. You'll come to love the antiquated '97 Winchester. I know that I always have.