1897 Winchester Slam-Fire Shotgun Need help...

[Pureform]

So i purchased this 1897 Winchester shotgun today for $250 otd dated 1910 and I'm confused... I bought this thinking I'm 100 percent sure i can shoot 2 3/4 shotgun shells but now I'm not so sure...Doesn't even have a marking what shell I can chamber... Reading online people say yes and some say 2 1/2... Also it has a full choke but its safe to shoot 00 buckshot right?

[Junk Yard Dog]

It should be 2 3/4" unless it's 2 5/8" Every one I have ever seen was 2 3/4", the older 1893 shotgun had the smaller shells, one of the 1897's improvements was to open it up to use the longer shells. Nice find, and a good price.

[Pureform]

It should be 2 3/4" unless it's 2 5/8" Every one I have ever seen was 2 3/4", the older 1893 shotgun had the smaller shells, one of the 1897's improvements was to open it up to use the longer shells. Nice find, and a good price.

How can i tell its 2 3/4 or 2 5/8? It has alittle pitting inside the barrel looks maybe alittle deep but not sure hard to tell... Also people say shoot light loads and dont shoot 00 buck in the full choke.. Its fine to shoot right?

[entropy]

AFAIK, all 97's are 2 3/4. As for the slam fire; They do not have a disconnector-one can hold the trigger down and fire it by pumping until empty. Perhaps this is what you meant? The WIn. Mod. 12 had the same feature. They were (and are) popular trench/riot guns because of this.

Full choke is Ok with buck-not with slugs.

I find them for that price or @$300 a lot, always with 30" full.

[Jbob]

Man that sure is a nice Winchester, trench gun was the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw it.....I'd probably reload something light for that one myself or have a good Smith look it over and see what he says.
I'd bet JYD has a trencher or maybe even more.

[bunkysdad]

If you want something light then I would think the Winchester and Federal target loads that Walmart sells in the 100 pack would be ok. Why do you want to shoot buck shot, are you going hunting with it? Home defense? How long is the barrel? I love these shotguns

[Junk Yard Dog]

Man that sure is a nice Winchester, trench gun was the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw it.....I'd probably reload something light for that one myself or have a good Smith look it over and see what he says.
I'd bet JYD has a trencher or maybe even more.

I do have a '97 trench gun, and it only eats ordinary 00 buck 2 3/4" shells. I am sure it could eat slightly more powerful shells but the ordinary buck is what I buy in bulk, it's cheaper. I also have a Model 1893 bird gun, and a Model 12 trench gun.

[Pureform]

If you want something light then I would think the Winchester and Federal target loads that Walmart sells in the 100 pack would be ok. Why do you want to shoot buck shot, are you going hunting with it? Home defense? How long is the barrel? I love these shotguns

Well cause i cant always get to the outdoor range where we aloud to shoot any shotgun ammo... All my indoor ranges only allow 00 buckshot so i dont really have a choice.... So wanna make sure im good cause another forum people say only light loads and im thinking this is auch a strong shotgun why only light loads...

Plus i saw rust in the barrel so i cleaned it out real good and has alot of pitting but what worries me is the rust around the area where the shell opens up...im guessing thats the chamber? Should it still be ok....

Otherwise i love this rifle too and love the brown patina this whole rifle has......

[bunkysdad]

Hmmm, I am not really sure but I have bought buck shot 2 3/4" rounds that were not magnum loads. I would continue to seek out more info from someone who can say for sure or perhaps contact Winchester. I just think it is a wonderful looking shotgun. When you do make it to the outdoor range you will have a blast shooting clay pigeons with that one.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Not a rifle, this is a gun, if the pitting is light you should be OK, but craters of the moon pits and it's a wallhanger. I have shot countless rounds of 00 buck in mine, this is the round a military trench gun uses. This isn't part of my milsurp collection or some museum relic I keep under glass, I use this gun as a defensive weapon, it's the best shotgun I own and can lay down a field of fire faster than my autoloader.

[Pureform]

So i fired the 2 3/4 00 buckshot about 50 rounds and they fired fine but i had ejection issues... looks like they wont eject fully unless i pump it real hard and barely come out... kinda looks like the shells are alittle to long and getting stuck? What you guys think?

[Junk Yard Dog]

2 3/4 and 2 5/8 shells are what they used, mostly 2 3/4. Something is out of whack with the extractor or ejector, examine them carefully for anything that looks weak or worn.

[entropy]

Polishing the chamber might help, then I'd look into replacing the right extractor, plunger and spring, then the left extractor.