1897 Winchester + Newbie = Sporting Clays?

Nah Dad was 6'6". You might be right though; wouldn't surprise me at all if he cut it down when he was a youngin.

And no kids for me (no plans either).

So you ya think a pad is enough to get me there? Or am I going to need to replace the stock and still go with the pad?
 
I don't think they make a pad that thick. When I suggested a slip-on pad, I didn't have any idea you were starting with a cut down stock. It's sounding more and more like the ol' M-97 is a great candidate for hanging on the wall.
 
Looking at that picture, it becomes obvious that the problem has been identified:D. That stock has been cut and looks like it is missing about 1.5 inches. These Guys offer replacement stocks that can be ordered with custom LOP. They aren't cheep, but you do get a good value for your dollar. Also if you are going to tear down that old girl, please do it correctly. Instructions for takedown can be found Here

Joat
 
Like others said - we have identified the problem .... yikes ..

It looks to me like its been cut down a good 2" or more ...

Like Zippy said - unless you re-stock it, its a wall hanger ...
 
Joat: thank you for that teardowm link! I think I'll very slowly and carefully take at least the first step, and see whats what.

Thank you also for that custom stock link. Man, those guys look like real pro's.

I think I'll spend some time taking her down and seeing if anything looks obviously wrong to me. If not, I think I'll get with Buck Mountain and perhaps have them make me a basic stock, but to the proper length.

In looking at the pics, what recommendation might you have at what that length should be??

Sentimentally, I'm motivated to make this gun work. Dad had a real rough upbringing, and this gun was the only friend he had much of the time (he lived on a 'ranch' out in the middle of a desert. Lots of cans and TVs met their doom at the end of this shotgun). I sort of feel close to him when I hold it. If its safe to do so, I think it'd be pretty neat to make it work.

Thanks very much guys. If anyone has any other comments, please share them! To those that already have, again, thank you. I'll keep ya updated.
 
If you have a Gander Mtn or Cabellas near you, you can get them to measure your length of pull for you. Also check with the local skeet and trap crowd, I'll bet that there is someone in the group that has a lop gauge or knows someone who does gun fitting. If all else fails Brownells has This so you can measure it yourself. A well fitting 97 is a great gun to shoot.

Standard length of pull is (was) 13.5 inches.

Joat
 
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I was out at the trap range this morning. There were at least two M-97s in one of the racks. Their owners were warming up for today's three-gun cowboy shoot.
 
Thats good to hear guys. I'm motivated to make my M97 work. I've already made preliminary contact with Buck Mountain. I'll try to get by the local sporting store and see if they can measure me. Would like to get it right, from the get go.
 
Oh another question guys: what size shells does this gun take? I don't want to use stuff thats too long.

Thanks again for all the help.
 
Just made contact with Walt at Buck Mountain. What a knowledgeable and friendly guy! I'm really excited to work with them.

Walt recommended I send him my original stock, so they can pattern off it directly. He plans to hot glue a dummy extension onto my stock, then use that as a pattern to cut the new stock as one unit. After talking a bit and after him checking out that pic I sent of me holding the M97, he feels an additional 3" (for a total of 15") is a good number. Anyone disagree?

So now the question is... how the heck do I get the original stock off the receiver? The instructions you provided Joat don't take disassembly that far. Can anyone direct me to a how-to?

Thanks again guys. You've really helped me have some fun with this. I miss Dad an awful lot, and thanks to this gun and your help I'm enjoying thinking about him often in a positive way, for the first time since his death.
 
Here's a link to an exploded view of the M1897. As can be seen, the buttstock bolt and washer keep the stock snugged up on the receiver shank. Remove the butt plate have a look for at the head of the buttstock bolt. Remove the bolt with a properly fitting screw driver. If you have to buy a new screwdriver, and grind it to fit, that is preferable to damaging the screw.

I'm not sure about the stock length. It depends if you measured the existing length with the trigger back, as in the pic, or in the cocked position with the bolt closed. Assuming the second possibility, and guessing at the trigger's at-battery location, proportionally I came up with length of pull closer to 15 1/2-inches. But, I'm the first to admit I'm not a stock fitter.
 
Damn, I was hoping against that. Dad/granddad used about 20 tack nails to secure a thin piece of rubber/plastic to the butt; looks like I need to figure some way of pulling out those nails, to be able to remove the rubber to reveal the screw. :eek:
 
Jason, get a small cold chisel and try to tap it under the nail heads... if they are similar to the "black tacks" used in carpet tack strip they should shear off. Or you can grind off the heads ruining the plastic material for sure. Then you would use a small pair of GENUINE vise grips to securely clamp down on the nail shank and work them out either twisting and tugging or rocking the grip jaw on the stock or both...
Good luck and let us know how it goes...
Brent
 
Are you planning to keep the plastic/rubber homemade pad for sentimental reasons? If so, hogdogs gives good advice, or you can slide a thin knife blade/chisel under the edge of the pad and pry it up a little. If you do this by a tack it will lift the nail head enough that you can get a grip on it with a pair of end nips (horseshoe pliers) and pull the nail out. With the first nail out there will be a little more room to get the chisel in and raise the next nail, pull that one and work your way around the pad.

If you are not concerned with the pad, use that same chisel to cut a cross through the middle of the pad, and pry/break the middle out of it to expose the stock bolt hole.

The stock bolt is has a screw slot in it, use a flash light to determine orientation of the slot and make sure that the screwdriver blade is in the slot. If it is to the side of the screw head and you turn it you can blow out the side of the stock. I use electrical tape to make a collar on the screwdriver shaft about 2" from the blade that will just fit into the hole in the stock. This keeps the screwdriver centered and lessens the chance of blowing out the side of the stock.

You can also have them make the stock "long". You will then have to have it cut down and the buttplate/pad installed but at least it won't be too short when you get it.

Joat
 
Sounds good guys. I'm not worried about the pad. I would like to keep the stock though, so I'll be very sure to pay attention as you suggest Joat.

Thanks again fellas. I'll keep you updated, as long as you don't get annoyed with my noob questions :)

PS: I priced out a new 28" barrel for my Benelli... $310 and a 6 week lead time! I love the Benelli, but dayum! For that much I could grab a new 870 Express and have it in 10 days. Benelli's awful proud of their stuff, thats for sure.
 
No prob... Everyone was new once and every repair or mod was our first attempt at one time too.
PS: I priced out a new 28" barrel for my Benelli... $310 and a 6 week lead time! I love the Benelli, but dayum! For that much I could grab a new 870 Express and have it in 10 days. Benelli's awful proud of their stuff, thats for sure.
Click to expand...
For that price you could buy a new Mossberg and $50 bucks worth of ammo or a new Maverick 88 and $100 worth of ammo...:eek::D
Brent
 
Thought some pics might help another newbie someday.

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Anyone know what those markings might mean?

And with that, the stock is off to Buck Mountain. Walt told me they're working at an approx 2 month turn around time. I'll be sure to post up pics when it shows!
 
Count on it oneounce. Walt said he'd be careful with it and ensure it gets back to me just as it showed up. If all goes well, it will find itself on the shelf, right next to a pic of the old man.
 
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