I rescently was given a Winchester 1897 pump was told the year is 1915 but havent researched it yet it is in fairly rough condition. I am wanting to have it restored to fully working order. I did a BIG no no when I got it (without having it inspected by a gunsmith wich i would recomend to anyone wanting to shoot old guns ) although in rough condition it looked safe to shoot so I put shooting glasses and ear protection and loaded 2 2.75 inch Winchester cheap target loads. Fired first shell seemed fine so pumped it and it ejected the spent shell but did not load the shell out of the mag tube. So now i have a live zhell stuck in mag tube i have looked All over but cannot figured out how to get it out. A friend of mine said that you can only shoot paper shells in theese old guns I never have herd that but is that true if so can u still get paper shells if so where. Does any know how to get the live shell out of mag tube. Thanks
Winchester 1897 ?Help please!!!
nuts4ducksjw
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I rescently was given a Winchester 1897 pump was told the year is 1915 but havent researched it yet it is in fairly rough condition. I am wanting to have it restored to fully working order. I did a BIG no no when I got it (without having it inspected by a gunsmith wich i would recomend to anyone wanting to shoot old guns ) although in rough condition it looked safe to shoot so I put shooting glasses and ear protection and loaded 2 2.75 inch Winchester cheap target loads. Fired first shell seemed fine so pumped it and it ejected the spent shell but did not load the shell out of the mag tube. So now i have a live zhell stuck in mag tube i have looked All over but cannot figured out how to get it out. A friend of mine said that you can only shoot paper shells in theese old guns I never have herd that but is that true if so can u still get paper shells if so where. Does any know how to get the live shell out of mag tube. Thanks
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Don't know anything about the gun, but Wikipedia says:
The gun could not be opened until a slight forward movement of the slide handle released the action slide lock. In firing, the recoil of the gun gave a slight forward motion to the slide handle and released the action slide lock which enabled immediate opening of the gun. In the absence of any recoil, the slide handle had to be pushed forward manually in order to release the action slide lock.[
The gun could not be opened until a slight forward movement of the slide handle released the action slide lock. In firing, the recoil of the gun gave a slight forward motion to the slide handle and released the action slide lock which enabled immediate opening of the gun. In the absence of any recoil, the slide handle had to be pushed forward manually in order to release the action slide lock.[
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Thanks bbnumber1 I'll check into that I apreciate your help
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That's my plans exactly thanks for your help?
Youtube has a bunch of videos on breaking them down, looks pretty simple.
Heres a simple one, but there are many other more extensive ones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrNFle6ICCI
Heres a simple one, but there are many other more extensive ones.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrNFle6ICCI
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Thanks for that video I watched it and others should help me alot can't wait till I get back home from work Friday and can take it apart
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Gun Digest has a volume on Shotguns, Assembly and Disassembly, and the '97 is included. I have used a '97 for years in Cowboys Action Shooting and have used modern day shotgun shells, light target loads.
There are gunsmiths who specialize in tuning up the '97.
There are gunsmiths who specialize in tuning up the '97.
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You probably know all this stuff anyway. You said the gun was “rough” so maybe wouldn’t hurt to “restore” it. But if gun has any special features, (high grade wood, engraving, ribbed barrel, “pigeon” or “black diamond” grade), you wouldn’t want to refinish the wood or metal since that would reduce the value of the gun considerably. On the other hand, if it’s a “plain Jane” and really rough, and you want to keep it as a shooter, no harm done.
Also, you shouldn’t ever shoot steel, tungsten, Hevi-shot unless it has a pretty open choke, or it will damage the barrel and render it useless. There are some soft non-toxic alternatives for waterfowl hunting with older guns, Bismuth, Kent Tungsten-Matrix, ITX for reloaders etc. if any duck hunting is in the plan.
Also, you shouldn’t ever shoot steel, tungsten, Hevi-shot unless it has a pretty open choke, or it will damage the barrel and render it useless. There are some soft non-toxic alternatives for waterfowl hunting with older guns, Bismuth, Kent Tungsten-Matrix, ITX for reloaders etc. if any duck hunting is in the plan.
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Thanks for the help. No it isnt anything special as far as I know. It was passed down to me from my Wifes family my father inlaw has six girls and no sons he said as far as he's concerned I am his son. I have three brother inlaws thAt have been around alot longer than me so it made me feel really honored and special thAt he chose me to hand it Down to. So there is more sintamental value than cash value. I just want to clean it up have opporational if possible. I am wanting to start CASS just for fun. I'm not going to shorten the barell or anything fancy like the big time shooters do just have it tuned up a little to cycle faster. I'm kinda worried about a littel crack in the receiver that Somone sodered i dont know if that's a problem or not. It might just be a wAll hanger and if so that's fine. Thanks for all the replys they have been helpful
I really cant see how a shell can be stuck in the magazine tube.
Is this ol 97 a "Take Down" model,, or is it the solid frame??
You can tell if its a Take Down by looking at the end of the fore arm. Does it have what looks to be a "pin" at the end of the Magazine tube?
Gooser
Is this ol 97 a "Take Down" model,, or is it the solid frame??
You can tell if its a Take Down by looking at the end of the fore arm. Does it have what looks to be a "pin" at the end of the Magazine tube?
Gooser
Look Here!
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/Model97down.html
Is the shell really stuck in the MAGAZINE tube,, or is is stuck underneath the carrier?
The Carrier is the "flipper" you see when you look at the bottom of the action.
You should be able to "Take Down" the barrel assembly that will include the mag tube. If the shell is "stuck" because of dirt and grime ect,, you should be able to taks some WD-40 and spry around the stuck shell base. Use a wooden dowel to push back and forth on the shell.
I dont believe there is anything in the tube itself MECHANICALLY that holds the shells in place.. They should just freely slide.
If the shell is stuck under the Carrier!!
That will involve more dis assembly in order to get the shell out.
In that case.. If you have never dis-assembled a 97,, I would take it to a gun shop (smith) and have them help you.
These are fine ol guns. They can have timming problems,, but can be fixed. When operating properly,, there is very little you are going to do to improve the working order of the action. They are glass smooth. hence the reason CASS love them.
Gooser
http://marauder.homestead.com/files/Model97down.html
Is the shell really stuck in the MAGAZINE tube,, or is is stuck underneath the carrier?
The Carrier is the "flipper" you see when you look at the bottom of the action.
You should be able to "Take Down" the barrel assembly that will include the mag tube. If the shell is "stuck" because of dirt and grime ect,, you should be able to taks some WD-40 and spry around the stuck shell base. Use a wooden dowel to push back and forth on the shell.
I dont believe there is anything in the tube itself MECHANICALLY that holds the shells in place.. They should just freely slide.
If the shell is stuck under the Carrier!!
That will involve more dis assembly in order to get the shell out.
In that case.. If you have never dis-assembled a 97,, I would take it to a gun shop (smith) and have them help you.
These are fine ol guns. They can have timming problems,, but can be fixed. When operating properly,, there is very little you are going to do to improve the working order of the action. They are glass smooth. hence the reason CASS love them.
Gooser
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185 Posts
Solid frame I think I'm not at home I'm on the road for work ill b home Friday and take another look at it and try to take it apart. Thanks for all the help
As far as the shells.
Cheap Target loads do NOT have Brass base heads! They are steel that have brass plating.
If Ya dont believe me place a magnet on yer shell and see for your self. Brass is NOT magnetic!!
What Can (and often does)happen with these older guns is the steel shell head expands MORE than what a brass case head does,, so SOMETIMES the steel case will "stick" in the chamber, making it nearly impossible to eject the shell.
You will do yourself a favor, once you get the gun operating correctly, to only shoot QUALITY ammo in that gun.
Only use Ammo with Brass base heads.
These include:
Winchester AA
Remington "premeier STS"
You DO NOT have to only shoot paper hulls!! Although THAT would be cool!
That gun will cycle QUALITY Plastic hulls also!!
Just letting you know of another log laying in the woods waiting for you to stumble over!
I am envious of the gun you have!!
Get her fixed and enjoy her!!
They were made when Guns was guns,, and girls were .....errr,,,,
never mind I kint remeber now!!
Gooser
Cheap Target loads do NOT have Brass base heads! They are steel that have brass plating.
If Ya dont believe me place a magnet on yer shell and see for your self. Brass is NOT magnetic!!
What Can (and often does)happen with these older guns is the steel shell head expands MORE than what a brass case head does,, so SOMETIMES the steel case will "stick" in the chamber, making it nearly impossible to eject the shell.
You will do yourself a favor, once you get the gun operating correctly, to only shoot QUALITY ammo in that gun.
Only use Ammo with Brass base heads.
These include:
Winchester AA
Remington "premeier STS"
You DO NOT have to only shoot paper hulls!! Although THAT would be cool!
That gun will cycle QUALITY Plastic hulls also!!
Just letting you know of another log laying in the woods waiting for you to stumble over!
I am envious of the gun you have!!
Get her fixed and enjoy her!!
They were made when Guns was guns,, and girls were .....errr,,,,
never mind I kint remeber now!!
Gooser
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185 Posts
Thanks gooser for all your info and everyones help
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5,163 Posts
My Dad's Uncle gave him one and it is now mine. It was the first gun I took hunting and I used it for years. I wish I could grab it right now but, i keep it in my brothers' gun safe as it is the only sentimentally valuable gun I own. They are sweet shooting guns. I used mine alot growing up. My dog is named for the ship my great uncle died on in WWII. My tribute to him for giving Dad the gun that started me hunting.
No problemo!
Once Ya get home,, and can look at the gun, Take notice of the end of the magazine tube near the end where the "Pin" is that you move to take the action down .
Yoy will see 3 small set screws there.
They hold the "cap" on the end of the tube.
You can remove these small screws.
be carefull, the spring,, and maybe the 'Plug" (so the gun only hold three shells) is in there.
If you are going to CAS you prolly will want to remove that Plug anyways,, but once you get the magazine tube to this point,,, Its Just a tube,, You will be able to use a dowel to push the shell out of the tube.
You can then CLEAN the tube of gunk, rust,, or what ever with a bore brush wrapped in steel wool,, and chucked up in a cordless drill.
Use some sort of cleaning Solvent (Hoppes, Eds Red ect) to clean it with.
If its a solid frame model,, it may be a little different,, but ya get the idea!
Once Ya get home,, and can look at the gun, Take notice of the end of the magazine tube near the end where the "Pin" is that you move to take the action down .
Yoy will see 3 small set screws there.
They hold the "cap" on the end of the tube.
You can remove these small screws.
be carefull, the spring,, and maybe the 'Plug" (so the gun only hold three shells) is in there.
If you are going to CAS you prolly will want to remove that Plug anyways,, but once you get the magazine tube to this point,,, Its Just a tube,, You will be able to use a dowel to push the shell out of the tube.
You can then CLEAN the tube of gunk, rust,, or what ever with a bore brush wrapped in steel wool,, and chucked up in a cordless drill.
Use some sort of cleaning Solvent (Hoppes, Eds Red ect) to clean it with.
If its a solid frame model,, it may be a little different,, but ya get the idea!
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