Brand New and Need Help! Winchester 1897

[Bragg504]

I just picked up my first Winchester 1897 shotgun and I have no idea where to look for reference.  I read that a action job, lengtheing of the forcing cone, and polishing the chamber are a good idea.

What else is recommended?  I am looking for total reliability.

Also, how is the buttstock and forend removed?

Thanks in advance.

[Delmonico]

Are you shooting CAS or trying to win the AA Trap Championship of the world?

Go out and use it and find out how it works, when you find out that most likely it will work just fine, then price the work, cut a check for 1/2 the price and send it to me.  We'll both gain out of the deal.

[Grey Beard]

Try this site http://marauder.homestead.com/Shotgun.html there is some information on your shotgun there.

[Pettifogger]

Although they sold 97s up to the 1950s, the bulk are well over 75 years old.  An action job is to smooth out parts or basically to do a rapid job of aging the parts.  A lot of 97s are already pretty well worn so just shoot yours for a while it may be fine and just require adjusting the main spring a little.  It make need rebuilding more than an action job.  If you want total reliability then you should probably buy a double barrel.  Lots of people love 97s, but you also see more and more people having occasional problems with them.  You won't get "total" reliability out of a 97.  The butt stock is easy to take off.  Remove the butt plate and there is a bolt under there.  Remove the bolt and the butt stock will slide off.  The fore end is more difficult.  You have to disassemble the front end and then there is a special wrench that fits into the two notches on the nut that is on the front of the fore end.  That nut has to be removed in order to get the wood off the pump slide.  Sometimes you can loosen it with a screw driver or punch and a hammer.  You may, however, also ding up the nut trying to get it off that way.