Winchester Model 42 410 pump

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paducahrider

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Howdy!
I own a Model 42 Winchester, 410 bore, full choke, pump shotgun that is as near perfect as any I've seen. The stock is without dents or scratches, as is the metal, bore and blueing. The action sideplate has never been off the gun.
The serial number dates to 1958 and I've had it since 1958 or 59, when my Dad bought it, brand new, from Sears Roebuck. I still have part of the box of #6 Peters field loads that Dad gave me with the shotgun. It as been fired less than twenty five times, and only by me or my Dad.
It's a field grade gun, without checkering, but has an oil finished walnut stock and forearm, instead of varnish, as is the case on every other one I've seen.
It is the only .410 I've ever seen that looks and feels like it was designed as a .410, from the beginning.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this specific firearm or the Model 42 as a whole?
Thanks for your time.
1/21/2010
 
I also owned a Winchester model 42 shotgun. Sold it because it was passed down to me and I didnt do much skeet, trap, or hardly any shotgunning. The S/N was 114,8xx and it was a 3'' chamber in 'very good' condition. Not entirely sure what kind of choke it had. The gun's book price was looked up by a friend at $800. When the auction ended on Gunbroker, the winning bid was $1,054.00, Which was quite surprising. I can't tell you too much about the gun but by the results of my auction, its a hot collector/shooter item :D
 
It's basically a scaled-down M-12, and it's one of the best pump (in my opinion THE best) shotguns ever made. A 42 in the condition you describe would be worth big money in Cabela's gun room...
 
i too have a model 42, also full choke. mine was used some by my grandfather, a lot by my father, myself, and now is being used by my adult son. they are excellent shotguns, and if yours is in the shape you describe (95-98%) you have a treasured weapon. if i were you, i'd make that model 42 my primary shotgun for squirrels and rabbits. i'd never sell it!
 
OOOPS! I Blew it!!

Since this was my first attempt at "THREADING", I managed to get into the wrong group. I'll try again. The writer who suggested that I never sell the gun is right on the mark. I have NO plans to sell it, and any squirrel hunting will be done with an even older, but still pristine, J.C.Higgins, Model 31, .22 semi automatic.
Both were gifts from my Dad and have stood the test of time.
Dad sure knew how to pick'em.
The remark about the Mod 42 shooting like a rifle, is also spot on.
I remember one of the last hunts I went on, with my Dad. I bagged about as "mixed bag" as possible that day. I ended up with a quail, woodcock, and a rabbit. The rabbit was flushed by our dog and, since I was straddling the rabbit path in high sage grass, it ran between my legs. I had to wait until it got far enough away to shoot but not blow it apart. All the pellets hit it in the back of the head.
The very last hunt we went on together was for doves. The last shots we took together were at two doves coming in from our left, pretty high up. He said he'd take the front one and I took the rear. Two shots,,,,two birds down.
The little 410 would reach out and touch'em, but you definitely had to know where to aim.
Thanks for your time.
 
Model 42's in a condition that you describe, (if accurate) are VERY collectible to some folks and will command some very nice 4-figure prices.

Even though you are not going to sell it, and depending on your homeowner's insurance, you might want to look into a rider on your policy to fully protect the value against loss from fire/theft/etc.......

Nice gun - go enjoy it
 
Just a side note on the Model 42.

It is not just a smaller scale, .410 Model 12.
It was just styled to look like a Model 12.

There actually is nothing in common in the two action designs.

The Model 12 was designed by T. C. Johnson and introduced in 1912.
The Model 42 was designed by William Roemer and introduced in 1933.

rc
 
Don't EVER sell that little gun! When I got mine I didn't know anything about them either. All I knew was it was the best pointing little shotgun I ever had. After I found out what I had it just made the gun even sweeter! Highly collectible and highly sought after by Winchester collectors. Most in even 80% condition will bring $2000!

I will never give up my 42. As a matter of fact I just bought a .410 reloader so that I can afford to shoot it more.;):)
 
To Red Label:

Red Label,
Thanks for the comments.
I'm not planning to sell it,,,,,,ever!
Daddy didn't raise no fool!!!!!
By the way, I didn't imply that I knew nothing about this gun, I just asked for comments to see how everyone else felt.
Turns out everyone feels the same way they always have,,,,They Love It!!
Winchester advertised it as "Everybodys Sweetheart".
There's really never been anything to compare with it, before it was introduced or since.
I sometimes take it to gunshows, just to have something to pack around, and it NEVER fails to draw a crowd. I've had dealers leave their stands to chase me down, and start offering wads of $100 bills.
I've noticed that many are selling for more than the listed "book price".
This proves to me that the gun's true value is only beginning to be appreciated.
I am dead serious when I say I've never seen a better example.
Once I figure how to get a picture of it onto the site, I'll do so.
Thanks for your time.
 
When my friend Tom got his, he held it straight up and hit the release. It opened all by itself.

Shoots like a dream. Enjoy yours...
 
Rc, i have always thought the model 42 to be the same design, (although smaller), as the model 12. could you elaborate on the differences between the two models? thanks.
 
I can tell you a little bit just from having mine apart a couple of times. I have two M12s along with my 42. The bolts look similar and the lockup is similar but the M42 fire control is mounted into the reciever where the M12 comes out as an assembly. The reciever on the M12 is all one piece and the trigger group comes out the bottom. The 42 has a sideplate to gain access to the inside.

I've had my 12s all the way apart and they really aren't too bad but I haven't had the courage to take more than the bolt out of my 42! It just looks WAY to scary:uhoh:
 
M12/42 differences.

I'm sorta like Red Label, although I haven't got that far on my 42. As I said in an earlier message, I haven't turned a screw on the sideplate in all the decades I've owned it, so have no personal experience in a teardown.
In looking at parts breakdowns and assembly guides, I can see some similarities but, due to the much thinner and crowded receiver, the sideplate was probably an absolute necessity, to access all the internals.
I also agree that it was styled to resemble the M12, since that was a standard of the day, and it would have been easier to market that way.
Since the M42s are takedown guns, I have had the barrel/magazine/fore-end assembly off before, and that part of the design seems perfect and assures perfect lockup with no sloppiness in any way.
I don't believe we will ever see anything built like this again, due to the intricacy of design and quality of finish on everything.
One difference I notice, when I compare my old, original 1958 Model 42, to refurbished models, that have been re-blued, is the blueing itself.
Hot blueing just doesn't compare, so far as I'm concerned, with the cold blue methods in more common use, back then. The old ones have a beautifully subtle, satin-like sheen that makes some of the highly polished hot tank "black/blue" efforts seem like putting chrome spinner hubcaps on a Ferrari. It may shine, but it doesn't really add to the beauty.
Thanks for your time.
 
42

Take it out to a trap range with some guys shooting 12 gauge guns with loads that will rock your socks off. Buy a box of Winchester 410 super sporting clays in 8 or 7 1/2 shot and shoot with them. At 16 yards with that load it will crush targets.
 
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Best advice I can give is, if you have a Model 42 that has never had the side-plate off, then don't even be tempted to take it off unless the gun is broke.

I have the factory service manual, and even with that bit of knowledge, they are generally so well fitted and glued down with old grease, it is difficult to prevent damaging it slightly when you do have to remove it.

rc
 
I gotta go with RC here. The side plate on mine has been slightly sprung, apparently by the original owner as I am only the second. Don't take it off unless you have to. Its a tight fit. You could probably get a business card in mine between the trigger guard and the plate. You apparently don't need to pry too hard:mad: If I'd have done it I'd be ticked!
 
I have the Browning reissue Model 42. I decided one day to take it out on its first outing, a squirrel hunt. I figured it would be a nice lightweight squirrel gun. Well, that's true of the shells, but while carrying it I noticed it didn't seem any lighter than my usual gun, a 20 gauge automatic. Sure enough, the 42 is heavier.
 
Here's a purty one!!! I'd show you mine but my daughter has my camera right now.
 

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be careful

Thanks for the pic. Here's where you have to be careful if anyone was considering buying this gun. I would need to see some more pics but I'm guessing this is a builtup gun from a standard field gun. Looks like an aftermarket simmons rib, someone probably added the Cutts, had simmons reblue it, and then upgraded the wood. It will still shoot like a houseafire. Someone made a nice looking gun but probably took a $2,000 original gun and made it a $900 gun after adding about $800 to it.
 
Sorry, I just picked a quick one off the Cabelas website. There are a whole lot more pretty ones there too:D
 
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