Range Report - Four Classic Riot Guns

[bushmaster1313]

21 yards
Three shells 12 gauge Fiochi LE Reduced recoil 00 Buck
Three shells Fiochi LE Reduced Recoil Slug (Always high, low holes = wad)

Model 1912:

Model 1897

Remington 31

High Standard 18-7

All Four

And the Brown High Standard:

 

[pete-driver]

looks like fun. I just got my Stoeger Coach gun back, I was getting light primer hits. My smith could not fix it so he sent it to Stoeger, only charged me $40 shipping. Can't wait to g out and try it.

 

[bushmaster1313]

My subjective ratings:

#1 High Standard 18-7
Most positive feel and best ergonomics.
Very easy to feed and operate

#2 Winchester 1897
Very positive feel
Easy to feed and operate.
Very cool to be shooting a design that came out n 1897.
Would be my #1 but it is from the 1937 (making it 75 years old) and things could go wrong

#3 Remington 31
Feels great to operate and swing
Very pleasing to be shooting a rare old gun
Only 4 rounds.

#4 Winchester 1912
A manufacturing work of art
But the worst ergonomics
hardest to feed the magazine

 

[mpi]

i have an i1897 takedown riot gun, it;s one of my favorite shotguns!

 

[chud333]

I would'nt trust the 1897 either my friend and by the looks of the slug group it has lost some accuracy. Send me a PM and i'll gladly take it off your hands for a fair price.
All kiddin' aside, they are great fun to shoot and theres no better gun
to have in your hands for defense.

Chuck

 

[bushmaster1313]

I would'nt trust the 1897 either my friend and by the looks of the slug group it has lost some accuracy.

I know.
The inherent inaccuracy resulted in that dreadful cloverleaf pattern centered over the red dot.

 

[Deacon KC]

It's interesting how the different guns fit each person. The Model 12 is super comfortable for me, but the 97 bites my hand when that bolt comes back. Never handled the High Standard, after your review, I will have to watch for one!

 

[bushmaster1313]

It's interesting how the different guns fit each person. The Model 12 is super comfortable for me, but the 97 bites my hand when that bolt comes back. Never handled the High Standard, after your review, I will have to watch for one!

High Standard 18-7's can be had in very good condition on Gunbroker for about $300.

Just make sure the barrel is at least 18" before you take it home.

I measured three times and mine were each 18 1/8", but you cannot be too careful.

 

[Muley Gil]

"Would be my #1 but it is from the 1937 (making it 75 years old) and things could go wrong."

I doubt. After all, how many times a year are you going to shoot it?

A '97 is my home protection shotgun. I used to carry it in my police cruiser. Mine was very accurate too.

The PD shotgun qual involved shooting 5 slugs at 50 yards and 5 buckshot at 25 yards. One year, by mistake, I shot my buckshot rounds at 50 yards. I told the firearms instructor (a former partner) and he laughed at me. He quit laughing, however, when we went downrange to score the targets and he found that ALL of the buckshot (5x9=45) were inside the target. And this was an open choke barrel that I had cut to 18 1/4".

 

[jkc]

Try some of Federal's buckshot loads with their "Flyte-Control" wads, and expect awesomely tight patterns...

 

[cwo4uscgret]

Here's my pair of High Standard K1200 Riot Guns. Both barrels measure 18-1/4"; the deluxe version (with the rifle sights) is vibro-engraved "CPD #5" supposedly for the Chesterfield Township (MI) Police Department. They are great shooters; I paid $150 each for them...

 

[bushmaster1313]

Here's my pair of High Standard K1200 Riot Guns. Both barrels measure 18-1/4"; the deluxe version (with the rifle sights) is vibro-engraved "CPD #5" supposedly for the Chesterfield Township (MI) Police Department. They are great shooters; I paid $150 each for them...

18 1/4" or 18 1/8"?

 

[charlie sherrill]

At a gun auction here a few years ago a PD sold 30 High Standards with consecutive serial numbers. These guns looked unused. One guy bought 10 of them with consecutive numbers for $900. The rest were scattered around to different buyers and the prices ran from $80-$120. I had one back in the early 70's. I picked up an Ithaca 37 and sold the High Standard to a fellow officer. He used it to kill a gun store burglar. Shot him off the roof as he was aiming a stolen gun at another officer. The deceased was an escapee who was originally charged with an armed robbery. The shotgun was later stolen out of the officer's patrol car while he was involved in a foot chase. It later turned up being used in an armed robbery about 100 miles from here. He got it back after the trial a couple of years later. He's retired now and still has it.

I carried a 870 Remington for years until I reaquirred my old 8-shot Ithaca a couple of years ago. I like it because it bottom ejects and I shoot long guns left handed. I carry it now and we'll be retiring later this year. Other riot guns I have are: S&W 3000, three Ithacas (one with bayonet lug/handguard) three 870's (one with a pistol grip stock and 12" barrel, yes, I have the stamp) Two Winchester 1300's (one with the marine finish) and an old High Standard (marked "Biloxi P.D. #9 with no serial number)

 

[bushmaster1313]

At a gun auction here a few years ago a PD sold 30 High Standards with consecutive serial numbers. These guns looked unused. One guy bought 10 of them with consecutive numbers for $900. The rest were scattered around to different buyers and the prices ran from $80-$120. I had one back in the early 70's. I picked up an Ithaca 37 and sold the High Standard to a fellow officer. He used it to kill a gun store burglar. Shot him off the roof as he was aiming a stolen gun at another officer. The deceased was an escapee who was originally charged with an armed robbery. The shotgun was later stolen out of the officer's patrol car while he was involved in a foot chase. It later turned up being used in an armed robbery about 100 miles from here. He got it back after the trial a couple of years later. He's retired now and still has it.

I carried a 870 Remington for years until I reaquirred my old 8-shot Ithaca a couple of years ago. I like it because it bottom ejects and I shoot long guns left handed. I carry it now and we'll be retiring later this year. Other riot guns I have are: S&W 3000, three Ithacas (one with bayonet lug/handguard) three 870's (one with a pistol grip stock and 12" barrel, yes, I have the stamp) Two Winchester 1300's (one with the marine finish) and an old High Standard (marked "Biloxi P.D. #9 with no serial number)

IMHO, the High Standard 18-7 is the best value in today's classic riot gun market.

 

[cwo4uscgret]

well actually

18 1/4" or 18 1/8"?

18-1/8" from end to end....

 

[29aholic]

But where's the flowers???

 

[wundudnee]

But where's the flowers???

You asked. My U.S. marked model 12, buba'ed on every end.