Sellers of the IAC Win1887 lever 12GA

[Black River Smith]

Is there a source or sellers of this IAC shotgun?

Does it only come in one barrel length and is that lever wrap necessary?

[OklaTom]

Is there a source or sellers of this IAC shotgun?

Does it only come in one barrel length and is that lever wrap necessary?

Unfortunately, IAC quit importing this shotgun a couple of years ago.  I carried them in my store right up until they quit.  Occasionally, one can still find one on GunBroker or Guns America, but they are not often inexpensive anymore.  They are almost getting as expensive as the Chiappa 1887 (which, in my opinion, is a superior shotgun).  Here is the only one I found with a quick search.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=306879969

In answer to your question regarding the lever wrap, I took mine off.  It kept slipping forward and stopping the trigger from moving.  My Chiappa did not come with one.

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Ive owned an IAC and a Chiappa.  The Chiappa is a much better firearm.  Can't stress that enough. 

[Black River Smith]

Thanks for the replies.

I did see the GunBroker listings and saw the prices of $700 when I thought they started at $400.  Your info explains that difference.

It appears that I waited too long for this fun shotgun.  A repro for over $1000 is not for me.

Thanks again.

[Pancho Peacemaker]

Thanks for the replies.

I did see the GunBroker listings and saw the prices of $700 when I thought they started at $400.  Your info explains that difference.

It appears that I waited too long for this fun shotgun.  A repro for over $1000 is not for me.

Thanks again.

Even when the IAC's were new and inexpensive, quality was very hit and miss.  A batch in 06 was imported with low grade metal receivers that had micro fractures in the metal.  One prominant CAS gunsmith was recommending that you xray the receivers to look for the cracks. 

Remember where they were being made . . .

[Montana Slim]

You might try guns america or other sites....I've seen these guns listed (used) for around $400.

I tried mine with the lever wrap removed...once.
Then, I re-wrapped the leather so that it did what it was supposed to do (cover a pinch-point).

The problem with the lever is that as a added safety device, they installed a pivot in the lever between the trigger loop and the body of the lever. The lever ratchets over a protrusion extending beneath the lower tang which locks the lever in place. When you operate the lever, it first pivots, thus releasing the lock. Further rotation then operates the mechanism. I expect the gun would operate fine without the protruding stud, allowing the finger lever to be pinned to prevent the rotation (source of the pinch-point).

I've never heard of a receiver failing from a cracked-receiver or otherwise on any IAC, Chiappa, or original 1887 / 1901 shotguns.

I see the Chiappa eliminated the 2-piece finger lever, so I imagine this gun cycles smoother, & with a shorter perceived throw.

Slim

[Pancho Peacemaker]

I see the Chiappa eliminated the 2-piece finger lever, so I imagine this gun cycles smoother, & with a shorter perceived throw.

Slim

Slim,

Your imagination is quite correct on this.

[Montana Slim]

Slim,

Your imagination is quite correct on this.

Thanks Pancho, Nice to know I still have the "gift" once in a while.
It makes me real popular with co-workers...helping others understand how their assigned items (weapons or ammunition) actually function and how the items are manufactured, tested, etc. I even have solutions developed to solve problems that folks don't even know they have (yet)....now, If I could just get them to listen and understand. A background or class in hypnosis would be useful....and, I might just request such from our training coordinator.

If we just had more cowboy-shooters in the "saddle" at my office, we'd cut a wide swath through the maze of problems.

Seriously looking forward to next year, as I hope to be able to travel better and get back into some fun with my NCOWS pards.

Slim

[Duke Henry]

BRS, I was very lucky to find a great one and first thing I did was take that silly wrap off the lever. Just seemed to get in the way of all the for me as well as detracted from the appearance of the gun.
From my xperance the 2 I have needed some tweeking to them to function correctly and alitttle bit of practice to get good at loading down it.

But it is soooooooo much fun to shoot!!!!
I rarely shoot any other shotgun and use it for everything from cowboy shooting to trap shooting and hunting.
Just me .02 cents.
Duke Henry

[Roscoe Coles]

I have been told that they added the wrap in an attempt to keep the lever from pinching the shooter.  This was due to a slight error in the way they manufactured the lever/block interface, which created a pinch point that was not there on the original 1901 (the Chinese lever is a "copy" of the 1901 Winchester, not the 1887).  I solved this, and an issue with the lever being loose, by making a new lever and altering the block to more closely match the original 1901 design.  This made the lever wrap pointless as well as ugly. 

[Black River Smith]

Almost one year to the date (well over one) and I am bringing this topic back up.

Roscoe Coles,  I just saw youtube vidoes of someone doing mods to an older Norinco.  The poster welded areas like the carrier: left-hand ejector plate and also welded the existing lever so that it was solid (he did not remove the catch stud).  The name was 243WW.  He makes references to Coyote Caps mod recommendations as listed on the website.

Did you find that the mods are necessary for proper functioning or was it to tune up for CAS?

What mods did you do and briefly how did you change the lever?

Thanks

[litl rooster]

One of the things Coyote cap expressed to me was to insure your have the proper Length Of Pull, If the stock is too long like on a smaller framed person like myself. The harder it is to get a good rigorous cycling of the action. You will unintentionally short stroke it. I believe he had a very valid point.

[harleydavis]

Coyote's mods are not neccessary but if you are looking for speed, they help quite a bit. Basically allows you to drop one into the elevator and one into the chamber. I can do the same thing with mine if I get the action staged just right. I got a good one (IAC) and has functioned well, and very accurate. Now then, you can not cycle the action half heartedly, it wont work. Gotta give it a good solid workout, just like my Spencer. Still, my double is faster than the '87 but the lever gun just has style.

[frimath]

Coyote cap 1887........ I've got one that I've never fired and probably never will. If anyone is interested maybe we could work something out. I might even have the box it came in.........PM if interested .