1897 Winchester Take Down Swap

[dahoney]

1897 Winchester take down models barrel and magazine tube section are easily removable.   Can various front ends be swapped to a different receiver section.   Assuming different sections from different firearms fit snugly is this a safe option.  I personally haven’t done this however I have some complete shotguns that have a 20” barrel and some with a 30” barrel.

Also how about compatibility with 1897 and model 12’s, they seem identical.

Thanks

[Marauder SASS #13056]

Passing on what the real gunsmiths familiar with the 97's have told me:
97's were individually fitted, so although it is possible, it isn't easy.
But the larger issue is the collar (extension and adjusting sleeve) which must be individually fit to the barrel.  The collar is rather fragile and is easily ruined and not at all easy to replace.
They once made a special jig to support the collar when being change, but I don't know if any that are available.

Edited April 22 by Marauder SASS #13056

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

I have two 97's, a 20" and a 30".   Once, I tried swapping the entire barrel assemblies, just to see if it would work.

It did.


Well, I do have 2 more than I did when I tried this.

Three if you count the 93/97

Four if you count the original 93...

[Blackwater 53393]

I acquired a nice old ‘97 a few years ago that had a 30” barrel. I had a couple of ‘97 barrels laying around and I attempted to swap barrels myself. One of the barrels, an 18.5” open choke, would not fit at all tha assembly would lock up before tha barrel turned halfway. The other barrel, a 20” would install, but it was just a tad loose.

 

I took the whole thing down to my gunsmith and he fitted the barrel that would not mount up and that allowed the original barrel to fit as it always had.

 

He explained that the longer barrel didn’t offer enough material to allow it to mount properly. “You can’t cut something off a little longer!”

 

He was able to carefully mill off a few thousandths and made it work perfectly!

 

So my answer to the question posed is YES and NO!

[Rip Snorter]

I no longer remember details, but the key was both barrel and action being in a particular, similar date range.

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

Some times . Maybe , BUT , not always 

 

  Chickaswaw Bill 

[Outlaw Gambler]

The short answer is YES. The long answer is HOW.

There are two main parts involved in fitting the barrel, Take Down Extension with lock and screw, and adjusting sleeve.

The main problem is the removal of the take down extension. This hard-to-find item, in a good condition, runs around $150 - $200. It is shaped like a figure 8 and bends very easily. Once bent there is no going back, it is ruined. As it is a threaded part that has been on the same barrel since eternality it will be difficult to remove. Most original extensions have wear marks cutting into them where the action slide moves thru it and may not last long before breaking thru. I recommend purchasing a new extension and having it fit to the barrel and then add the adjusting sleeve and fit it to the receiver.

There was a tool made that fit precisely over the extension and if the one that was to be removed was soaked in some type of break free solution the extension would allow using a mallet to remove it. I don't think the tool has been made for quite a while. I had one but someone else wanted it worse than I did.

I hope this helps. OG

[Blackwater 53393]

1 hour ago, Outlaw Gambler said:

The short answer is YES. The long answer is HOW.

There are two main parts involved in fitting the barrel, Take Down Extension with lock and screw, and adjusting sleeve.

The main problem is the removal of the take down extension. This hard-to-find item, in a good condition, runs around $150 - $200. It is shaped like a figure 8 and bends very easily. Once bent there is no going back, it is ruined. As it is a threaded part that has been on the same barrel since eternality it will be difficult to remove. Most original extensions have wear marks cutting into them where the action slide moves thru it and may not last long before breaking thru. I recommend purchasing a new extension and having it fit to the barrel and then add the adjusting sleeve and fit it to the receiver.

There was a tool made that fit precisely over the extension and if the one that was to be removed was soaked in some type of break free solution the extension would allow using a mallet to remove it. I don't think the tool has been made for quite a while. I had one but someone else wanted it worse than I did.

I hope this helps. OG

This is essential information! 

In my case both barrels had the take down extension, so removing it was unnecessary.

 

OG is the man for info on ‘97s and where to find stuff for them!!

[WOODFOX , sass#34179]

If you can find a complete front end assembly ,sometimes they fit, I was lucky I found one at a gun show and still use it .

[Outlaw Gambler]

Yes, finding a barrel with a takedown extension already installed is a good shortcut to take.  All extensions, when correctly installed, will have the barrel with the sight on the top, regardless of if which gun it is installed on. The extension does not move on the barrel, once installed, to adjust the fit to the receiver. This adjustment is made by moving the adjusting sleeve left or right to tighten or loosen the fit, 

CAUTION! Do not attempt to fit the barrel to the receiver without installing the lock and screw into the extension. 

The lock keeps the adjusting sleeve from turning inside of the extension and receiver. Otherwise, the sleeve may not have enough "grab" to allow the normal dis assembly.

[Marauder SASS #13056]

Is there a source for extensions?

[Outlaw Gambler]

Numrich normally has them