winchester 1887 lever shotgun

[hillbill]

hey guys! thought yuall might be ones to ask about this. i have chance to buy win 1887 lever 12 ga shotgun. guy said it was made for brass shells and plastic were too long to eject proper. can i reload for it? are they werth anything? whats the lowdown on this critter?

[Flint]

They were made for paper shells, and black powder.  The plastic shells open up forward and restrict the bore as there is no chamfer like the modern chambers, though it could be cut by a gunsmith.  Load them light w/smokeless, and use shortened roll crimped plastic with a top wad, or have it chambered.  If you found a 12 gaga, you're lucky, most of them are ten gage.

[Cheyenne Ranger]

You can check its "birthdate" by serial number, too.

We have several in our club and the owners love them.  Several of us are on Coyote Cap's list for the new 87's that should come in some time this year (not throwing my 97 away yet).  Good luck on getting your 87.  Coyote Cap also does work on the 87's if you want it checked out and the chamber lengthened to take modern lengths of shotgun shells.  He did my 97 along with my action job

ÇR

[hillbill]

hey guys! thanks for the info! i got the 87 tonite! it appears solid and in good shootable condition. the guy priced it at what i thought was way to cheep and i jus took him up on it. however the stocks arent really all that great. the fore is homemade although well done and a recoil pad had been added to the rear. i really would like to purchase some repro stocks to bring it back to its former glory. anybody know where a feller might obtain some new stocks? ive searched roun the net quite a bit and havent really found anyplace. any ideas would be greatly appreciated! thanks!

[MOGorilla]

I would see if you can track down a Dixie catalog, or call them.  I have used their website, but I don't find it to be one of the most user friendly sites for searching.  Dixie has a big section of items for orginal guns.  I don't have mine handy or I would look for you.

[Cheyenne Ranger]

You could also try coyotecap.com.  Cap will be importing the 87's from China and probably will have replacement stocks for them.   Might have a few right now.

ÇR

[hillbill]

thanks guys! ill try dixie[hadnt thought of them} and that coyote critter!

[JimfromBend]

Just happened to drop into this forum and was reading the posts about the Win. 1887. I know this isn't the classified section, but I just thought I'd mention I've got a 12ga. model '87 for sale. Goood shape, good shooter, 32" bbl.  If anyone is interested in it, email for pictures and more details. Thanks, JimfromBend   jwalden@bendcable.com

[Laredo]

Just joined because i was looking for a picture of  a v-spring for my 1887 lever action shotgun. and happened accross this post.


the 1887 shotgun in 10 ga was designed for brass shells in 2 5/8. The 12 ga for crimped cartridges of 2 3/4. If you havn't bought it yet and the gun is in good condition, buy it  if it is in fair condition and you are getting it less than 800 get it. if its a 10ga make sure that you are getting an 87 and not an 01. if it's an 01 you can get that shotgun at maybe around 400 in fair condition. remember that you will pay handsome for the same piece at a gunshop... anyone who wants to see a demo of my 87 cycling 2 3/4 shells email me at bigwhitetrashchoppers@earthlink.net

laredo