PP/Varmint gun

[wundudnee]

I've been wanting a short barrel shotgun that I could leave out without crying if it happened to be stolen. I was thinking coach gun or an old pump gun. I found this 101 year old Winchester model 12 at Tulsa last fall. It had no finish left on it to speak of and had a poly choke. Just what I was looking for. The old gun was very functional and the wood was good and solid.

I had the barrel cut and a bead installed. I then gave it a rub down with Brownell's Oxpho creme blue. I don't think it came out to bad at all. Now I'll worry about leaving it out.


The top gun was an Army riot gun I got when I was 14 at Montgomery Wards, used for $55.00.

 

[6518John]

Coyote or other miscreant won't know if that load of buckshot came from those old classics or one of those fancy-pants $2500 Benelli M4 shotguns!

Great job.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I'm kind of in the same mindset about Model 97's. The one I use all the time is a 1904 production with some awful military butt plate, a dog carved in the stock and the barrel cut tp 18.1 inches!

I also have a 1954 that is in like new condition. It just sits there waiting for the 1904 to give up the ghost, but these guns are like the Energizer Bunny and just keep going!

I like that Models 12's and 97 take down guns have the magazine removable with the barrel, so when they are apart they end up being short. How short? My 18" can fit in a small cooler, gym bag, or any briefcase! (An 870 or 500 is only maybe 10-15" shorter than wen assembled.)

There is an extra "clack" when cycling a 97 action. This seems to get everyone's attention at a crucial time!

I have used every brand of shells radially available. It seems my gun prefers Federal Paper hulls over all else and doesn't really like MAGTECH all brass at all! It is reliable enough with Winchester AA hulls for SD, Hunting or competition, but really just "sings" with the Federals!

I have used the 1904 extensively for Cowboy Action Shooting, and have the magazine follower conversion to allow six 2 3/4 shell at a time. Neither 12's or 97's have a cut of disconnector when fired, so you can hold the trigger and slam fire until empty. That is kind of fast on close targets!

If I could find a 20 gauge in functional shape with a rough appearance (like me) I would cut it to 18 or 20 inches and use it as a truck gun!

Ivan