Winchester 101 v B325 / 425

[fortune82]

Im looking for some advice on a new purchase! I swapped from my Winchester 101 2 years ago to an AYA sxs which I shoot well with but not as well as my winchester. Anyway I have decided to get another OU.

 

I have toyed with the idea of a 101 but then again the reason I traded the last one in was because it was getting tired. Today I had a look at a B325 and a 425.

 

Am I right in thinking the only difference between a 325 and a 425 is the method of barrel construction? Handling wise what do you reckon is best? 101, 325 or 425? From a spares point of view which is the better option? My 101 stung me a good few hundred over the years for hand made spares!

 

Are there any problems to particularly look for on a 325 / 425?

 

Thanks for any help.

Edited October 9, 2010 by fortune82

[tweedledee]

i`m an avid winchester fan so i`ll say 101. brownings are ten a penny now. good guns don`t get me wrong. if you get a good winchester you should n`t need many spares.i`ve found them to be reliable.need a well looked after example though.

[fortune82]

i`m an avid winchester fan so i`ll say 101. brownings are ten a penny now. good guns don`t get me wrong. if you get a good winchester you should n`t need many spares.i`ve found them to be reliable.need a well looked after example though.

 

It was the ejector kickers that went which were £200 fitted. Then the top lever spring went and I started getting occasional misfires in the bottom barrel. The gun was also starting to get a bit loose after years of heavy use.

[tweedledee]

what would the cost be if it was an english gun.spares may have to be made for it too and much higher prices. a rough 101 could be bought as a donor gun to use parts from.

[suggs]

I've just bought a 1989 B325 in a grade 5, I can honestly say it's a fantastic gun, not only in looks were in my opinion it is nicer than same grade later models but also in the way it feels and handles. It inspires confidents soon as you bring it to shoulder, took mine out yesterday for the first time and my score on the clays went up and on the very first trap hit 8 and I'd never fired the gun before then.

 

The 325 has the chopper lump barrels that many people believe to be the better system were later guns are a mono block style, the engraving is also clearly deeper and sharper than later models, for me this is the best gun I've had by a mile, past guns ive had are a winchester select 2, Beretta silver pigeon and a Bentinsoli sporter.

 

Above All I'd say you should see what fits you the best and go with that gun..

Edited October 10, 2010 by suggs

[Gordon R]

I've owned anumber of Winchesters and found them to be good handling guns that compare well to anything Beretta or Browning produce. Spares would be my worry. I have also owned B325s and 425s and 525s. Miroku MK38 would be my choice. Chrome lined barrels - I don't think the B325s were. the only one I would avoid is the 525 - funny stock dimensions.

Edited October 10, 2010 by Gordon R

[Scully]

I've owned quite a few 101's,and still have one.Had a grade 3 325 once,but had to sell it to raise funds,but would happily have another.The 425 was supposed to handle better but to be honest I couldn't tell the difference.If you're going to go for the Browning then buy as high a grade as you can afford,they always appreciate in value.

[Paddy Galore!]

Had all three of the models you listed in the past and i couldn't tell the difference in handling between them, the 325 was a little lighter but the 101 was a nice looking gun with better wood. All in all i enjoyed all of them with few problems from the brownings, the win 101 had a hard life previously tho and did require a lot of work, rejoint, re finish wood, re black furniture etc, and set me back just over £450 in total including the gun, so much cheaper than the brownones. The 425 was a fixed choke but had heavy pitting in the chambers, this got traded back soon after, at the moment i've got a beretta 686s and i'd swap it for any of the aformentioned guns in a flash.