Looking for Opinions of 12 Ga. Winch. 101 Over Under

cj65

cj65

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I spied a sweet looking older Winchester Model 101 over under for $900. I love to bird hunt, and alot of sporting clays. I priced this gun on Gun Broker for about $1000 to $1500. This gun at my local gun shop has a modified on the bottom, and full choke on top. There is alot of ornate scroll work on the gun metal. Usually not my thing, but looks great on this gun. I am old school and need wood stock on my shotguns. The release latch returns perfectly centered when barrel is closed.

So, to all my shotgun officianados.......

Does this sound like an ok deal?

Are there any issues with this model? (It had many years of manufacturing)

What other over unders should I be looking at instead?


Thanks in advance for your opinions.
 
cj65... I shot the Chevy Truck Sportsman's Team Challenge 4 years, and we shot quite a bit of skeet for practice... I decded a stackbarrel was needed for the mixed bag event, so picked up a used a 101.... it just did not fit me, and I did not shoot it well...the rib came unsoldered...it was very hard to break open....on a trip to Ohio I took it to Jacuas and came home with a Browning Citori GTI ... with about 1/4 inch off the comb works great..

I've really liked just about ever Japanese Browning I've shot...whole lot cheaper than a Beretta and typically come backbored and with lengthened forcing cones
 
Les,

I am grateful for your down right straight talk and your honesty! How much would a Japanese manu. Browning over under run in the fair to midland range?
 
cj65... sorry I don't really follow the prices .... we lost the use of lead shot at the range we were practicing on, and after the STC moved to Texas, I shoot only an occasional skeet, 5stand, or sporting clays round... I would think that with the depressed economy some would be showing up at your sporting clays field....I don't want to give the impression that it was junk, as you know the 101's aren't.....I just shot the Brownings better, and the loose rib could happen to any shotgun... I shoot a Benelli M1S90 field for 3 gun
 
I really like honesty Les, and I still love the way that gun looks, but do not like buying a pig in a poke. I guess my fear is; dropping 900 on a gun (alot of fun money for me) since I already have a shotgun, and then finding out that for 750, I could have had a much better gun. I realize it is all subjective. I will look into Bernelli as well. I have always shot semi autos since I prefer them over pump action, but now want an over under.
 
Can't speak to a 12 o/u but THE Sweetist O/U I have EVER shot was a 101 Winnie 20 ;)!! Late 60's model Red Label 101 they do command a healthy$$ especially in good to better condition.;) BTW $900 in my neck of the woods is on the low end (condition condition condition):D

I would ask the seller if there was ANY way you could take her for a trial spin!!!;)

Good luck AND the Citori by Browning is no slouch:D
 
Much obliged Shawn. According to gun broker 900 is at the low end and this gun is in real good condition. At least to my semi untrained eye.
 
The Winchester 101 is a true classic shotgun. It had a higher retail price than the Browning Citori during it's production run. It is slimmer and lower than the Browning, and usually lighter (although you have to measure it against guns from the same timeframe as newer guns are heavier due to increased barrel diameter and wall thickness).

There are plenty of parts available, it's a fairly easy gun to work on, and there's really not much that can go wrong unless it's mistreated or abused.

I like the 101 and regret giving away my .410 model.

Note, they only rarely had replaceable chokes (and then only for the last 2 years of production). Briley can fit them with chokes, but they will be the "thinwall" model and very expensive.

This gun was also sold under the Nikko brand.
 
cj65" Back in 1952, I went on R&R in Japan, had quite a few bucks in my pocket (one of the few times in my life this has occurred), but noticed in the Ships Store in Sasebo, new Winchester 101s for the total price of $78. each. I bought one for my Father who had never owned anything better than an old J.C Higgins bolt action, but who had always talked about owning a double barrel. Naturally he was overjoyed to receive this, shot it quite a bit, although mostly hunting rabbits and pheasants, some quail. I doubt if another gun on this planet received better care than that one did, and the last time I saw it just 5 months prior to his death in 2004, it still looked like new. However, some low life got to it and other items, never to be seen by family members again. During that time period, it was my understanding all of them were made in Japan, although this was prior to the removable choke tube system. To the best of my knowledge, that particular gun never required the services of a gunsmith.
 
Thank you shooter 10. I am not sure if it will still be there in a week or two, but if it is meant to be, and I can validate the fun money expense, I may just buy it.
 
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