doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Winchester Model 23

Hi all, I've been seeing a lot of these guns around lately on the various auction sites. I really know nothing about them, never in fact even held one.

What can you all tell me about them? Good track record?

2k seems to be the average asking price? Sound about right?

All the best!

Greg

Over the years several passed through my hands at local shops, but I didn't care enough about them to buy one. They come in different finishes and barrel lengths, but it's the same gun. I have seen: 'Light Duck' 20ga, several XTRs, Ducks Unlimited 12ga,.... I heard they are ok guns that hold up well with long use. Given a choice I would buy used Sakaba 485 instead.
Local shop just sold couple XTRs in excellent condition 20ga @1750 and 12ga @1400. After haggling the final price was proly about $100-$150 less.

Price varies significantly with gauge and model. Some people don't care much for the SST on those guns. Quite a bit of creep. It's reliable enough, but try one with snap caps to see what you think. They're mostly heavier than they need to be too. I'd second JM's suggestion to take a hard look at SKB if you want something somewhat similar for a lot less money, but I'd point you in the direction of the earlier Ithaca-marketed guns.

Just happen to have the Model 23 canned response --

Winchester Model 23’s (m) -- During 1978 a flier introduced the Model 23 XTR Pigeon Grade in 12- and 20-gauges with 26 or 28 inch barrels and half-pistol grip.

1979 & 1980 Catalogues -- ditto

1981 Catalogue -- Added the Model 23 XTR Lightweight in 12- and 20-gauges with straight grip and 25 1/2 inch barrels. All the guns up to this point shown with black plastic butt plates with a whiteline spacer.

Olin Corporation dumps the U.S. firearm manufacturing business. Keeps the ammunition and the imported shotguns from Japan.

1982 -- Olin/Winchester catalogue same six variations as 1981, but they now have a thin rubber butt pad.

I've got nothing for 1983

1984 -- Winchester Classic Doubles -- same six plus -- 12- and 20-gauges with 25 1/2 inch barrels with Win-chokes and half-pistol-grip stocks; and the limited edition Model 23 Heavy Duck with a capped full pistol grip and a blued receiver.

1985 -- Winchester Classic Doubles -- Same except limited edition is 20-gauge Light Duck.

1986 -- Winchester Classic Doubles -- The original four variations gone -- introduction of the Model 23 Classic in 12-, 20-, and 28-gauges and 410-bore with engraved and blued recievers and gold bird on the bottom -- The Model 23 Custom, a 20- and 28-gauge two-barrel set with gold birds on the sides as well -- The Model 23 Golden Quail in 12-gauge with straight grip and 25 1/2 inch barrels choked IC/M (just the same as the Model 23 XTR Lightweight but different engraving).

1987 -- Winchester Classic Doubles -- Model 23 XTR Lightweights and the original half-pistol grip models with Win-chokes gone -- The Model 23 Classics in all four gauges continue and the Model 23 Custom two-gauge set -- new additions are another Model 23 Custom in 12-gauge 26-inch barrels with 6 Win-chokes and a plain blued receiver profiled like a Model 21, and a Model 23 Golden Quail in 410-bore -- also they still have some Model 23 Golden Quails in 12-gauge and some Model 23 Light Ducks left to move!!

1988 -- Winchester Classic Doubles -- The Model 21 look alike Model 23 Custom gets 27-inch barrels and is called NEW -- The Model 23 Classic continues in all four gauges while they still have those limited edition 12-gauge and 410-bore Golden Quails and the Model 23 Custom two-barrel 20- and 28-gauge sets to move.

Olin unloads the Japanese gun business. I can shoot Model 23s fine if they are the first gun I pick up in the morning. Its tougher if you shoot something with a crisp trigger first and then try a Model 23! Even with the ic & mod chokes, the 28-gauge Model 23 Classic is the only 28-gauge I have ever ran a 100 straight at skeet with.

A SxS for high volume shooting.

i'm sure i'll get flamed because they have "Winchester" on the barrels but i'll say it anyway. i've had 3 and didn't care for them at all. had a classic 20 and a quail special 12 back when they were in production and recently a pigeon grade 12. they're well made and work fine but for reasons i never determined they just didn't fit me well or something as i can shoot a mossberg bolt action i've got better than any of them. i had a couple of BSA 20 ga's at the same time as this last gun and found either of them preferrable, so far as breaking targets. for what a model 23 costs, i can find lots of guns that suit me better.

roger

If you can find one of them precious 'Classic' beauties with longer barrels and Winchoke sytem at good price you will actually have something. The nice thing about Winchoke is low cost of replacements and some other chokes like Browning STANDARD Invector will also fit. I think ole' Mossberg ones will also work, but lets not go there.

$2000 is what, a 12 ga? Downsize a gauge or two and the price goes up pretty hard. The goofy little .410s are for the most part $5000 items nowadays.

Maybe its because it's late and I'm tired, but I kind of lump them in with all the other A&D guns, e.g. Beretta, RBL, SKB, Browning - all reliable and durable. It boils down to the level of fit and finish you want, and how crisply one or the other brands rings your bell.

Winchesters may be the best finished of the lot. I have a Classic that I've shot quite a bit. I wish the wrist and comb weren't so doggone high; kind of awkward that way. More than one person may say that the single triggers are a little finicky in that they don't tolerate dirt and gunk well.

I shot skeet all summer long with a guy at my club who had two Classic Doubles in 20 and 28 gauge and he really liked them. He brought both to the club each day and shot them both. I thought they were nice looking guns although I never shot one. But to each his own I guess. But if you like one why not try it?

When a friend got bit by the bug I steered them to a Model 23 as a gun that was not too expensive, was appropriate for grouse hunting and would hold up to use as a clays gun. That person lost interest in the shooting sports and sold the Winchester about 4 years later. It was purchased from a dealer and sold without hassle to a dealer at the same price originally paid. Im not sure that happens when another name is on the gun.