Feedback required: Winchester 1897 Pump Action Shotgun

[amk]

I know nothing about long guns (not much about handguns either) but I've seen this at a dealer and am thinking of buying it. It's a fairly newer model, not the model 10. Condition seems to be original and pretty good. What would be a good price for this? The asking price is 1.75.

Cheers, AMK

[penpusher]

Considering the fact that the IOF PA shotty is being sold for 1.15-1.25,that seems to be a good price.

[amk]

Thanks, now just the question of getting a long gun license remains I'll pay up for this now as I believe these are hard to come by.

AMK

[penpusher]

I'll pay up for this now as I believe these are hard to come by.

Not a very good idea.

[The Doc]

Which model is it ? Just a pump action mechanism should not urge you to buy it. Has the barrel been tampered with ? Will the pump action work smoothly with Indian ammo? Can you take a firearm/shot gun savvy friend with you who can verify the credentials of the firearm in question ?

best ,

RP.

[amk]

Why not penpusher?

I will find out about the model tomorrow. The slide action is smooth, the finish looks good but besides this I have no idea. And no one I know here knows anything about long guns, so will have to take the dealers word or ask the gunsmith to discretely check it out.

[The Doc]

The slide action is smooth, the finish looks good but besides this I have no idea.

Both the above are not major factors that should make you want to grab the PA , stat !!

so will have to take the dealers word

Never ever make that mistake !!

best,

RP.

[amk]

Well, you will never believe but it's not a Remington in any way. This is a 12 gauge Winchester Model 1897, year of manufacture unknown. So still the price holds good? Can the stock be changed to a pistol grip in these models?

AMK

[The Doc]

amk,

The 1897 Winchester model 12 gauge pump was manufactured between 1897-1957. Does this gun have an external hammer ? Also what is the barrel length? Changing the stock to a pistol grip ? Why spoil the classy looks of a Win 1897 ? A valuable firearm as a Win 1897 looks its best in ORIGINAL condition. This of course is my opinion .

best,

RP.

[amk]

yes this has the external hammer and iirc the barrel is either 28 or 30". The weight is quite substantial too. You think 1.75 is a decent price?

[penpusher]

I once had the option of buying one of these for Rs. 20,000/-

[The Doc]

The weight is quite substantial too. You think 1.75 is a decent price?

It would be heavy alright. Try to haggle a bit , see if the dealer comes down on the price . Is it possible to upload a few pics ?

I once had the option of buying one of these for Rs. 20,000/-

You should have bought it penpusher and sold it now at "nine times" the price !! No other investment would have given you as much profit .

best,

RP.

[sudhaiob]

amk is hell bent on buying it,so please give a favourable post. i bought mine, new, Mossberg Pump 5000 series circa 1985 for Rs. 18000/
regs
sudhaiob

[The Doc]

please give a favourable post

I thought I was giving a favourable response !! I really like Win 1897 , the PA, the external hammer, the stock with a straight grip and all . I was just trying to save amk some money .

RP.

[amk]

I'm not hell bent on buying this; hell I've not even got a license yet
Just for you, I'll let this go.... you sell your Mossber ok?

I'll post some pics on Monday if possible and will definitely haggle if/when I do decide to buy. Do pumps come up for sale often, especially in Mumbai? Or should I grab this cause they're pretty rare?

Penpusher, when were you offered this for Rs. 20k?

AMK