Winchester model 21

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270

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What makes the Winchester model 21 so great? It is pricey but nothing like some of the european double barrels. Holland & Holland and Purdy come to mind.

Appears I might be able to buy a decent 21 for around 5000 but it'd be a plain jane--which is fine. Splinter forearm for sure.

270
 
I've always wanted one just because. :) I'll never own one unless I hit the lotto. Get a copy of "The Shotgun Book" by Jack O'Connor and if you've got the $$ you'll probably get a 21 after reading that book.
 
I can think of a few things that make the Model 21 great:
It was the last good quality American made double.
It was a Winchester.
It was very strong. It was also rather heavy, what Mr Purdey would call a pigeon or duck gun rather than a game gun in the British or Continental style.
 
The 21 was the idea of Olin and was built to his specifications as to "no expense spared". It IS robustly built and would be a horrible game gun for upland, but a great duck gun or pigeon/trap gun. Some of the current Spanish guns would be better for fast field work, but a 21 holds some panache for many.

Then there is THIS collection for sale:

http://www.winchestermodel21.com/page1.html
 
O'Conner thought the Model 21 was the great's thing since sliced bread. He was wrong, but being a gun writer( made a good living at it) he swayed many shooters of that era. There are many great shotguns out there, O'Conner just never shot them.
The one thing I got out of his book was patterning your choke. Many guns today are accepted wih the screw in choes and most shooters do not pattern them to find out how they shoot.
 
Jimmy10mm,

Like your first sentence. "Just because" I think is how I too feel. Well..you know, it's a Winchester and a "quality thing." Also, there's something elegant about a side by side double along with it being short for it's barrel length and usually very reliable.

I too will probably never fork over that kind of money for a gun.

270
 
Some friends are 21 fans. So, I get to shoot them a little once in a while.

My take, bull strong, long lived, well regulated, but a bit heavy for the uplands. Clays, waterfowl(if you want to risk a $5K gun) and even dove, yes.
 
As long as I have the '67 Shooter's Bible out looking at the Fox Model B guns, let's compare list prices.

Fox Model B - $114.50

Fox Model BSE - single trigger with ejectors - $137.50


Winchester Model 21 -

Custom Grade - $1,000.00

Pigeon Grade - $2500.00

Grand American - $3500.00

And it's been said that Winchester lost money on them. Really.
 
Winchester Model 21 -

Custom Grade - $1,000.00

Pigeon Grade - $2500.00

Grand American - $3500.00

And it's been said that Winchester lost money on them. Really.
Click to expand...

There was just a TOUCH more handwork done on them than on those Savages, and they were made in fairly small numbers.

But there is a collection for sale:

http://www.winchestermodel21.com/page1.html

None of them have even been assembled, let alone fired since leaving the factory
 
They are some of the most durable side by sides ever made. I have a 12 gauge skeet gun made in 1941. It shoots like a dream and locks up as tight as a bank vault. I can't imagine ever wanting to sell mine.
 
First of all, it's a Winchester and the flying red "W" often causes common sense to fly out the window.

The 21 is a heavy, utilitarian boxlock that is nothing particularly special. That $5,000 for a used, plain jane 21 would be money better spent on a used English sxs made in Birmingham.

I recall seeing a very gaudy, "high grade" Model 21 squatting on a gun rack in the UK. Among the English guns, the Winchester was like Rosie O'Donnell showing up at a super models convention.
 
That $5,000 for a used, plain jane 21 would be money better spent on a used English sxs made in Birmingham.
Click to expand...

LOL.....Im sure the investment value is the same:rolleyes:


WildtherearedegreesofsnobberyeveninusgunsnobsAlaska ™©2002-2010
 
just because..

As a youngster, i learned how to shoot skeet with a .410 Model 21 and Model 42

I would so love to have a 12-gauge any grade M21! The .410 M21 is a bit like shooting a whip, though. IIRC, the Model 24 is a lower cost version of the M21

I also like Model 101s :o
 
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