Winchester 1897 concern

markrsims · June 16, 2012, 02:07 PM

Picked up an 1897 on Gunbroker a couple of weeks ago. Nice old non-takedown gun from 1907, it had been nicely parkerized a while back (evidently due to some rust, it has light pitting on the triggerguard) and the wood has been replaced with nice, modern, but original shape stuff. I've not fired it, and everything seems tight, but when I cycle the slide, the bolt locks, but then I can wiggle the forearm (twisting back and forth) and the bolt unlocks.

Just wanted to see if this was common with these old girls, or If I should get it in to a 'smith. Don't want to end up eating a bolt.

zippy13 · June 16, 2012, 02:55 PM

Are you just twisting the forearm back and forth or are you adding some forward motion? IINM, the W-1897 unlocks with a forward motion of the forearm. More modern guns typically unlock with the action of the hammer falling (or a release control).

As with any newly acquired older gun, have a competent smith give it a safety check before you try any trigger time. You don't want a bolt for lunch.

markrsims · June 16, 2012, 06:14 PM

I was twisting the forearm with a rotating motion.

ETA: Yes, I reread your answer, and I am appling some forward pressure too.

June 16, 2012, 02:07 PM	#1
markrsims Junior Member Join Date: September 19, 2009 Posts: 8	Winchester 1897 concern Picked up an 1897 on Gunbroker a couple of weeks ago. Nice old non-takedown gun from 1907, it had been nicely parkerized a while back (evidently due to some rust, it has light pitting on the triggerguard) and the wood has been replaced with nice, modern, but original shape stuff. I've not fired it, and everything seems tight, but when I cycle the slide, the bolt locks, but then I can wiggle the forearm (twisting back and forth) and the bolt unlocks. Just wanted to see if this was common with these old girls, or If I should get it in to a 'smith. Don't want to end up eating a bolt.

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June 16, 2012, 02:55 PM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Are you just twisting the forearm back and forth or are you adding some forward motion? IINM, the W-1897 unlocks with a forward motion of the forearm. More modern guns typically unlock with the action of the hammer falling (or a release control). As with any newly acquired older gun, have a competent smith give it a safety check before you try any trigger time. You don't want a bolt for lunch.

June 16, 2012, 06:14 PM	#3
markrsims Junior Member Join Date: September 19, 2009 Posts: 8	I was twisting the forearm with a rotating motion. ETA: Yes, I reread your answer, and I am appling some forward pressure too.