doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Would you buy it?

Looking at a Model 21- 20 gauge at a gun store. it looks like it is in pretty nice shape. I started to buy it. Then I noticed on the tag, it was originally M/F. But the chokes have been opened to IC/IM. I went into shock mode and turned and walked away. I don't know who opened them. Or who owns the gun. It is probably on consignment. I'm just afraid to fool with it. I want it original. There's no way to try it out. It's either buy it and take a chance or forget it. It might be sold by now. Still thinking about it. Would you buy a gun if the chokes had been opened? What do you think?

If you wanted an all-original Model 21, it is not the gun for you. If you were buying the gun to use, what would you be using it for, and what chokes would you want it to have? Is it collector-priced or shooter-priced? Just spitballin' it for you.

If the chokes were good for intended purposes I would buy it. I have opened the chokes on several guns

I would prefer the more open chokes myself

Would you be afraid that it would shoot okay? I don't want it to shoot around a tree. I would want it for skeet, probably.

That's yet another a bizarre statement from DimmyW, who very recently advised Crying Bob to not pattern his new .410 shotgun because he wouldn't want that information messing with his head while shooting.

Who in their right mind would want to know if their shotgun was throwing erratic patterns with big holes and far from point of aim???

That's the kind of stuff you get from someone with an I.Q. lower than a School Zone speed limit.

I would check the choke constrictions myself. Some M21 chokes flare out towards the muzzle. If the chokes were checked with a simple brass gauge it may show more open than they actually are.

Maybe, I'm a hunter/shooter not a collector. That said M/F chokes in a double gun are not optimum for me. IC/IM would me a little better. SKT/F would be my choice in a 20Ga. terc 's response is something to consider also. No Winchester Xpert here!
So back to the maybe. Does the gun fit me? Is the gun lively in my hands, inspiring success with it?
To address your concerns. If the price is right chokes can be readily manipulated if your looking for a shooter.

Chief

Years ago, I had a Model 21 that was marked MOD and FULL but those were neatly lined through, and it was marked IMP CYL next to the marked through MOD and marked MOD next to the marked through FULL. Model 21 experts at the time told me that was the way Winchester did it. Don't know if that was true or not, but I didn't shoot the gun all that well and it flowed down the river of commerce for 50% more than I paid for it the year before.

This may not have anything to do with anything, but choke constriction can get to your head. I have always thought modified and full were just fine until steel shot and notox regs showed up. Every grouse and woodcock I ever killed, I killed with a modified choke, and pheasants were not lost when I hit them with my full choke 16 ga. Modified is what I counted on. That said, I don't buy guns to collect them, and admire men who can because though I don't do it, I understand it. The Winchester 21 is a gun I admire because of its strength, not its appearance. The Ithaca NID is the gun that fills my bill in that regard. Cheaper and sturdy. To be honest i would just want one gun to do it all in the strength, durability, and affordability arena, and the NID is as close as it gets because I want it U.S.A. built, and Merkel is not, so Wingmaster has to suffice. I am a doublegun fan.