Hey guys, I've got a model 42 Winchester 410 shotgun my buddy is trying to sell me and he let me take it out and shoot it.
It's the standard or field model, 3 inch chamber, full choke. Serial number dates it built in 1960. I did some research on it last night and wow! I had no idea those guns were potentially worth so much. I would say it was a safe queen most of its life. Bluing and stock are about 95 percent.
I went out and shot it today and discovered some issues. Mainly weak springs I believe. The feed ramp ( I guess that's what it might be called - the ramp that moves the shell from magazine to chamber) seems to have a very weak spring which caused a few jams. The worst issue was that it wouldn't eject shells half the time. It's like the extractor is not engaging on the rim. When this would happen, I would have to work the slide a few times to finally get it to engage.
So I have a few questions.
1. How hard is it to find parts for this gun
2. Should I even begin to try and fix it myself if I buy it
3. How much is it worth? I know y'all would like to see pics and everything, and the moderators don't like us to try and value guns on here, but I'm asking for advice on what to offer my friend for his shotgun given its present condition. He has no idea what he has. Told me it was a browning. So I'd like to get a good deal, but don't want to screw him either.
Thanks in advance. I'll try and get the wife to help me upload some photos when she gets home.
It's the standard or field model, 3 inch chamber, full choke. Serial number dates it built in 1960. I did some research on it last night and wow! I had no idea those guns were potentially worth so much. I would say it was a safe queen most of its life. Bluing and stock are about 95 percent.
I went out and shot it today and discovered some issues. Mainly weak springs I believe. The feed ramp ( I guess that's what it might be called - the ramp that moves the shell from magazine to chamber) seems to have a very weak spring which caused a few jams. The worst issue was that it wouldn't eject shells half the time. It's like the extractor is not engaging on the rim. When this would happen, I would have to work the slide a few times to finally get it to engage.
So I have a few questions.
1. How hard is it to find parts for this gun
2. Should I even begin to try and fix it myself if I buy it
3. How much is it worth? I know y'all would like to see pics and everything, and the moderators don't like us to try and value guns on here, but I'm asking for advice on what to offer my friend for his shotgun given its present condition. He has no idea what he has. Told me it was a browning. So I'd like to get a good deal, but don't want to screw him either.
Thanks in advance. I'll try and get the wife to help me upload some photos when she gets home.