Winchester 1897 or Stoeger Coach for a beginner?

[Ben Beam]

I was at the pawn shop today and saw an older looking (heck, could be original for how it looked) Winchester 1897 for $399. Around these parts, that's an excellent price. I've read that these guns usually need some work to make 'em usable, but I also hear that they're excellent guns.

I have no expectations of being fast at this sport. I've got some health issues that are likely to be an impediment. But I'd like to show up and have some guns I can shoot and enjoy. I don't want a race gun, but I don't want to be fighting with he darned thing either.

Is the Winchester worth looking at, or should I pay a little more and get myself a Stoeger Coachgun?

[hp246]

I use both.  My 97s are original.  I said plural 97s.  The reason is they are close to 100 years old.  They break.  When they break I send them to someone who specializes in 97s.  If you are new to the sport and don't want to fart around with your guns alot, I'd go with the Stoeger.  I keep one of each on my carts.  If the 97 breaks, I have the S X S to go back to.  Has happened more than once.

[Coffinmaker]

I'm opinionated  (What??  Who??  ME??).  And as a retired (mostly) Gunplumber, I try to separate personal opinion from my professional knowledge.  Personal opinion 101 >  An 1897 ain't Cowboy.  Wrong time period except for the Wild Bunch.  I own one.  I don't play with it for CAS.  Did I mention ... it ain't Cowboy?

Professional Opine(s) >  Winchester '97s are very good guns.  Winchester made over a million of em.  When they work well they are a joy to shoot and when they don't work well they are the train wreck from hell.  When pushed for CAS they break and usually need a '97 specialist to fix.  There are quite a few parts to break and you will have to shop around to find them.

The Stoeger > Built sorta like a tank.  Not much to go wrong.  Simple operation.  Easy to maintain.  Shop around for one with double triggers (Even less to go wrong).  Looks Cowboy. 

For a newbie, I would strongly suggest the Stoeger double gun.  Oh, and the imported Chinese '97s can be more trouble than you can imagine.

Coffinmaker

[Ben Beam]

Looks like the Stoeger is the right choice. And you're right, Coffinmaker, I never viewed a pump shotgun as a "cowboy" gun, but it had such a good reputation I figured it was worth asking. Hp246, I don't have the funds to accumulate spare guns right now, so tried and true works for me.

Thanks for your input. I realize this has probably been hashed to death in the past, but everyone seems to have a different opinion. But you both make good points.