Joe180 Posted July 27, 2021 Report Share Posted July 27, 2021 Can anybody recommend a gunsmith that can tighten my Winchester ,it’s not got headache barrels just drop down loose.these guns were loose when brand new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 They would be fairly loose ...unless it's dropping open like a stone????they can be tightened..great guns... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 On 27/07/2021 at 15:45, Joe180 said: Can anybody recommend a gunsmith that can tighten my Winchester ,it’s not got headache barrels just drop down loose.these guns were loose when brand new. Any reputable gunsmith should be ok where are you based. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reindeer Posted July 29, 2021 Report Share Posted July 29, 2021 (edited) True Winchester 101 series shotguns, of which the 6500 was one of the last models, were designed and built to open and close with minimal or no friction at all. So they did not need to wear in. This is completely different from the ‘feeling’ we became used to when handling new Browning and Miroku shotguns. Another feature we forgot about is that the top lever in 101 guns is in central position when closed, even in a new gun. So this position cannot be read as a sign of wear or the action not closing tight. To find out if a Winnie action is loose, just blacken the barrel slot in which the locking plate engages with a black marker. Then open and close the gun a few times. Now you will be able to see how far the locking plate engages in de barrel slot. If the black is only partly removed from the slots, the action is not loose and needs no tightening. By design it is almost impossible for the forend to shoot loose on these guns. Compare a 101 forend to that of a Browning or a Miroku and you will see why. Edited July 29, 2021 by reindeer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe180 Posted July 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 30, 2021 23 hours ago, holloway said: Any reputable gunsmith should be ok where are you based. Doncaster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted July 30, 2021 Report Share Posted July 30, 2021 Quote Another feature we forgot about is that the top lever in 101 guns is in central position when closed, even in a new gun. So this position cannot be read as a sign of wear or the action not closing tight. Having owned at least eight 101 variants, I have to disagree with the top lever position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holloway Posted July 30, 2021 Report Share Posted July 30, 2021 4 hours ago, Gordon R said: Having owned at least eight 101 variants, I have to disagree with the top lever position. Yes never heard of that one they are the same as other guns as far as I am aware and I must have had 20 ish ,most of mine have been over to the right and centralising as they wear. Although I have never had a new one to be fair ,but then nobody has in the last 35 or so years . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reindeer Posted July 31, 2021 Report Share Posted July 31, 2021 I own a ‘new’ one, that was in a gun collection until a few years ago. It is a Supergrade model with ventilated side ribs and raised action panels, so similar to the 6500 and 8500 models, which were the final models in production back in the late eighties. When I bought it it was NIB, and seemed unfired, which can be judged from the jewelling on the barrel flats and face. From the first shot fired, the gun opens without any friction or need to wear in and the top lever is in central position on a closed gun. Even with the forend off, the barrels sit tight in the action, without any play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe180 Posted July 31, 2021 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2021 I bought my 6500 in the eighties in Cheltenham on my way to the Winchester clubman, it’s been a fantastic gun, I have killed and smoked loads of game and clays with it , it’s the best gun I have owned and handled that’s why I would never sell it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reindeer Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 In about 45 years of gun owning I have shot quite a number of japanese built Miroku and Browning shotguns. Although they are good quality guns, they lack the superior handling and balance of the Winchester 101. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted August 2, 2021 Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 12 hours ago, reindeer said: In about 45 years of gun owning I have shot quite a number of japanese built Miroku and Browning shotguns. Although they are good quality guns, they lack the superior handling and balance of the Winchester 101. Exactly....a classic gun!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
222mark Posted August 2, 2021 Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 On 30/07/2021 at 15:50, Joe180 said: Doncaster Dave Beard Gunsmith at Westwoodside. He will sort it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausgunner Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 If there is no lateral or vertical movement with fore end off wouldn't worry about trying to tighten anything as about only thing they could do to tighten opening is build up fore end to put more friction on reciever face- which will just add wear, the 101 line of guns are looser opening compared to guns like miroku or beretta, beretta sits on ejector springs when opening, and miroku action gets resistance from it's trap door design, 101s have nothing after top lever is opened, so if no barrel play just enjoy her mate, 6500 is an absolute classic have a f/c version myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scully Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 I’ve owned quite a few 101’s over the years, and still have three in my cabinets. All of them ‘drop’ open to a lesser or greater degree, otherwise they’re as tight as drums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biketestace Posted August 21, 2021 Report Share Posted August 21, 2021 My 5500 is the same 👌 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTaylor91 Posted August 29, 2021 Report Share Posted August 29, 2021 On 02/08/2021 at 15:58, 222mark said: Dave Beard Gunsmith at Westwoodside. He will sort it. You wouldn’t happen to have his contact details would you please? A mate needs some work doing on a couple of hammer guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
222mark Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 On 29/08/2021 at 15:36, JTaylor91 said: You wouldn’t happen to have his contact details would you please? A mate needs some work doing on a couple of hammer guns. 01427 752561. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTaylor91 Posted August 30, 2021 Report Share Posted August 30, 2021 10 minutes ago, 222mark said: 01427 752561. Many thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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