Winchester Model 21 20 Gauge

[Foxnut]

Before Christmas our local Vintager’s group had a pheasant hunt. After the hunt three of us went to a nearby sporting clays course to shoot a round. This course also has a nice adjoining gun shop geared towards target shooters. In the bottom of the counter was a Model 21 Standard Grade 20 gauge.

After shooting I looked the gun over and while it had been used and wasn’t a closet queen it was tight, on face and in good serviceable condition. The price was a tad high but within reason. Over the holidays I kept thinking about that gun. On January 2nd I called to see if the gun was still there. I made the 45 minute trip with bore, chamber and barrel wall thickness gaiges in tow. After a thorough inspection I made an offer. The gun was on consignment so the owner was contacted and we landed on a price.

A 1948 Standard (field) Grade gun w/28” M/F barrels. SST and ejectors of course, along with/a factory beavertail. Very nice wood underneath the dull finish and an added Pachmayr (sp) pad. I’ve had a chance to shoot it on sporting clays a couple of times now and am very happy with how it fits me and how I shoot it.

Now the dilemma of deciding if I have the wood refinished, Winchester pad added to replace the black Pachmayr and, and, or do I just leave as is and enjoy it for what it is! Either way very happy with this gun. The first Mdl 21 I’ve owned in about 10 years.

[fox-admin]

If it was mine I would just change the pad. If you refinish the wood it would not match the condition of the rest of the gun. Nice example congratulations!!

[DarylC]

I'm with Craig on this. Depending on the LOP, either a Winchester pad or a Winchester butt plate. Nice find.

[44whiskey]

proud for you, enjoy

[Foxnut]

I'm with Craig on this. Depending on the LOP, either a Winchester pad or a Winchester butt plate. Nice find.

Thanks for the feedback. That was my initial thoughts. I purchased a NOS Winchester pad from a friend and will probably go that route. Given the LOP I will need the pad vs. a butt plate.

[Jeff S]

Nice gun Brett. Congratulations!

[eightbore]

Yup, 1922 Winchester pad, no refinish. Great minds think alike.

[TOOL MAN]

Def on the Winnie pad.....def NOT on the refinish.

If the pad is too bright, soak a cotton ball in soy sauce and apply generously, drying it in a sun-drenched window for a day after each application. It'll not only age the pad 50+ years, but every time you pull the trigger, you'll be craving an egg roll!!

egg rolls.JPG (23.56 KiB) Viewed 690 times

[zacharysmith]

That's an interesting one for sure. Not the typical Standard grade. Even has a chunk of fancy wood on it! Curious what the letter will say build code wise?

I picked up a 1939, 21, Standard 20 last year myself. Getting it cleaned up currently. A bit more of a Standard, Standard 26" IC/MOD splinter, DT and the nicer pistol grip like yours.

[ROMAC]

What does it weigh?

I had the chance to buy one in 16 gauge that was in perfect condition and priced right but I could not get past the fact that it weighed just over 7 pounds. It just was too heavy for my head to get around in a subgauge gun.

[Foxnut]

What does it weigh?

I had the chance to buy one in 16 gauge that was in perfect condition and priced right but I could not get past the fact that it weighed just over 7 pounds. It just was too heavy for my head to get around in a subgauge gun.

Roger,
I haven’t weighed the gun yet but will do this weekend. So far I’ve only shot sporting clays with it so the weight has been a benefit. I ordered the e-mail version from Cody so it doesn’t include weight. The order sheet is available on this gun so more info would be available on the order sheet.

[bbman3]

Brett i own one just like it except factory butt plate is still present. Bobby

[ROMAC]

What does it weigh?

I had the chance to buy one in 16 gauge that was in perfect condition and priced right but I could not get past the fact that it weighed just over 7 pounds. It just was too heavy for my head to get around in a subgauge gun.

Roger,
I haven’t weighed the gun yet but will do this weekend. So far I’ve only shot sporting clays with it so the weight has been a benefit. I ordered the e-mail version from Cody so it doesn’t include weight. The order sheet is available on this gun so more info would be available on the order sheet.

I was able to find one in 12 gauge that had 26 inch barrels and open chokes that weighed about the same for a much better price.

[Researcher]

Very nice. Except for replacing the pad, keep it as it is and soon it will be the only 20-gauge Model 21 that has not been refurbished by CSMC or others!!

Several decades ago my first quality 20-gauge was a pre-war 20-gauge, 26-inch, Model 21 with ejectors, beavertail and double triggers. It weighed a fraction of an ounce over seven pounds and flowed down the river of commerce when I got a 28-inch, 20-gauge Sterlingworth that weighed 5 pounds 14 ounces for a third of what I sold the 21 for. Now, one of my favorite guns to shoot is a standard weight 20-gauge, 28-inch, Superposed that weighs a fraction of an ounce over seven pounds!!

[Foxnut]

Roger’s post got me thinking about the weight of this gun. After doing a thorough cleaning this afternoon I put it on my digital scale. 6 lbs 12.5 oz. I can handle that.