Takedown 12 guage

Abel Villesca

Explorer
Here's my choice for home/remote travel defense - many (most?) 97's are takedowns - mine is, but this is how I travel with it. Made the heavy leather scabbard which does a great job keeping the gun clean + quick to draw. The barrel had a bulge in it so I cut it down to 18.5 inches. Some were made short - many others have been cut down to resemble "trench guns". They made a ton of these & some are collectors but many are just great shooters - and some are just worn out... The price has come up due to their popularity with cowboy action shooters. Personally I prefer the exposed hammer - all parties involved KNOW when it's mad...But a model 12 would be nice as well. As far as functionally - 100% as compared to modern pumps. I've seen them in California from 350. to 600. depending. More for legit trench guns & high grades. Of course they will at least hold their value & I really enjoy using classic tools. Moe

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I'm jealous. I've got a '97, but it isn't a take down. Love it, though. Definitely a classic look.
 

BIGdaddy

Expedition Leader
Thanks for the pics of the '97 and the suggestion of the NEF single shot.

Both are definitely being considered. :)

BTW, this isn't my only gun, if'n some of y'all were wondering. Just what I want next. :)

Not sure i like the way the action works on the 1897, that seems like it would truly earn it's "thumb-buster" name if used in a hurried manner. If I were to get a pump, it'd probably be something like the 12. which I think keeps all the internals inside the action.

One thing I like about the coach and the single shot, come to think of it, it's very easy to use in a pinch, say, when a grizzly is approaching your camp, and you've got 5 seconds, to load and fire before you're bear-food.

Top on my list, though, is reliability and a pump definitely gets the nod, there.
 

BIGdaddy

Expedition Leader
Here's my choice for home/remote travel defense - many (most?) 97's are takedowns - mine is, but this is how I travel with it. Made the heavy leather scabbard which does a great job keeping the gun clean + quick to draw. The barrel had a bulge in it so I cut it down to 18.5 inches. Some were made short - many others have been cut down to resemble "trench guns". They made a ton of these & some are collectors but many are just great shooters - and some are just worn out... The price has come up due to their popularity with cowboy action shooters. Personally I prefer the exposed hammer - all parties involved KNOW when it's mad...But a model 12 would be nice as well. As far as functionally - 100% as compared to modern pumps. I've seen them in California from 350. to 600. depending. More for legit trench guns & high grades. Of course they will at least hold their value & I really enjoy using classic tools. Moe

View attachment 135116View attachment 135117

Just need to emphasize how **************' these pics are. Very slick setup!
 

robert

Expedition Leader
If you think it may be necessary to fire all of your rounds quickly you might look for an Ithaca model 37- hold the trigger and pump away. Great fun! IIRC the Winchester 97 will do it too, but the action is a lot slower. At least around here you can find police trade in Ithacas fairly cheap as they aren't that popular. Incidentally, Norinco makes Winchester 97 copies.
 

BIGdaddy

Expedition Leader
Add a leather buttstock shell holder(though ugly, IMO, those nylon/elastic ones do the job okay) and you'd get a good idea of what I'm leaning towards. :)

CoachGunRig.jpg


CoachGunOpen.jpg


CoachGunTakenDown.jpg
 

Abel Villesca

Explorer
One thing I like about the coach and the single shot, come to think of it, it's very easy to use in a pinch, say, when a grizzly is approaching your camp, and you've got 5 seconds, to load and fire before you're bear-food.

Veering a bit off-topic, but I recently retired my shot gun from camp gun duty in favor of a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun. Chambered in 45-70 Government it will stop anything in North America and has the classic look you are after.

photo_1895G.jpg
 

BIGdaddy

Expedition Leader
Veering a bit off-topic, but I recently retired my shot gun from camp gun duty in favor of a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun. Chambered in 45-70 Government it will stop anything in North America and has the classic look you are after.

View attachment 135385


haha, don't tempt me. :D

There's a shop up in alaska that makes those into a takedown model. Grizzly customs I think is the name. A fairly costly process, but they do top notch work. I've seen a few examples, and the two halves of the gun look like they came from the factory that way. :)

Ahh...there it is: http://www.grizzlycustom.com/packages_custom_lever_action_rifle.html
 

jackd56

New member
wife jst gave me a cimmaron coach gun for my birthday her dad helped pick it
adv exposed hammers were the way to go . . . . man its fun !
 

robert

Expedition Leader

dusmw

Member
Stoeger Condor (2 shots) or H & R Tamer you can get the Condor in 12 or 20, the Tamer is 20 or 410. Both breakdown reassemble quickly. I am a 20 GA fan for this type of shotgun, wife and kids can shoot. Both have 20 inch barrels.
 

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