Winchester 101 O/U....anyone shoot these anymore?
I was interested in going back to skeet shooting again (it's been 30 years) and thought about buying a Winchester 101 O/U. But when talking to gun shop owners and clay bird enthusiasts, I got the impression that the 101 isn't popular for skeet or trap. Is this true? I've been away from the sport for so long, I don't have a clue. I do remember Browning Citoris were very popular. So what's the story with the 101? They seem to be a relatively good buy and nicely made.
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I don't shoot skeet but I darn well have a 101 and have since 1973. They always have fit me just great. In the field I can't hardly miss with the 26" IC/M 12 guage. The heck with screw in chokes... 0 -
I prefer the superposed fits me
but a pard uses a 101 and hits pertnear anything he
aims at[;)]
both fixed choked and 20 gauge
mo sportin0 -
They are no longer made and there are many newer guns on the market that have additional benefits such as the backboring, porting, and screw in chokes (many of the older 101's had thin barrels).
I shot my skeet 101 for 30 years until it is so worn that the value is not worth the gunsmith bill to make it safe. They are still very popular at my range, and the people that own them love them.
Just some very new good guns on the sporting clays market right now, and the good used 101's are normally not for sale.
If you like the feel of the 101, try the SKB585 series, I think you'll find it close in feel, balance, and swing. (Many others to choose from)0 -
Does $3000 for a Pigeon grade 3 barrel set(20/28/410) seem reasonable?
Like new condition in breakdown luggage case.0 -
Hello:
I've shot my 101 for several years, on sporting clays, and hunting. Probably one of best stock shotgun triggers I've ever pulled. Mine is 26" with IC & Mod chokes. I purchased mine at auction for $700 and paid another $100 to extend the stock and replace a worn firing pin. There are a number of newer stack guns out there that would fit your needs better for what your asking to accomplish. The 101 in 12 gauge is a kicker. Recoil pads, porting, advanced barrel working, all have come a long way. I don't think the 101 has ever had the following or collector interest that Winchester's 21 or even 23 have maintained. The three barrel set especially with 28 and 410 gauge do hold some appeal (lots of interest in 28 gauge right now). I would surmise that your matched three barrel set is more of a collectible/investment gun, than it would be a shooter. You should certainly be able to purchase a 101 at @ 1/3rd the cost if you have your heart set on shooting one. For the money, there are a number of $2500 to $3000 stack guns designed for clays. I would either pay less and shoot a standard 101 or devote the extra money to a quality stack gun designed for clays.0 -
For skeet I have found my Diamond Grade 101 to be excellent, but I believe they stopped production before sporting clays became popular which may be why clay shooters find them lacking against more current clay specific variants products.
Bottom line as always is that if it feels good and you can hit with it, use your own judgement. You will be the one shooting it.
http://www.gunshop.com/showler.htm have a diamondgrade and pigeongrade skeet in stock last time I looked.
NRA Life Member0 -
who cares if its popular?
if it fits, and you like it, shoot it!
theyre still a great gun.
the only advances i can see that would make it seem old is, new guns have worked a lot of the kick out. and those winchesters kicked!
former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, former navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction. NRA certified instructor.0 -
Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Nice to see such positive remarks for the 101. I made the decision to buy the 3 barrel Pigeon grade set (20/28/410), all in skeet choke, with skeet stock. The condition is 99+, and the price is well below market based on research I did. I don't expect these gauges will have much kick, at least not the 28 or 410. I will probably shoot 20 and 28. Based on the comments posted here, I'm sure it will be very satisfactory.
Thanks again
Marv0 -
Marvin,I have the newer Winchester.It's a sporting clays Winchester Supreme and both barrels are ported with tubes.NICE gun,Bob 0
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