model 1897

[jessmoore]

I have a model 1897 shotgun. Its just right for a turkey gun.
Getting in and out of the pickup, I like to empty the chamber.
The only way I have found to do this is to empty the entire magazine, or play with trying to stop it from loading the next round. Any info on doing this in a more efficient manner?
thanks
JEM

[reloader]

While no expert on the M97, couldn't you eject the chambered round, then remove the round on the lifter before closing the action on an empty chamber?

Alternately, depending on the series M97 you have, you can release the next round from the magazine by pushing the two buttons on the bottom sides of the receiver (later series), or reach into the bottom of the receiver and release each shell latch in turn to release the round ready in the magazine, then elect the last round from the chamber.

reloader

[Dougdubya]

Looking at the 1897 - I've seen this done on the SASS show - just leave the action pumped back.  The shooters leave the slide back to hold it "clear" and this way, a subsequent round isn't in the chamber.  It also doesn't look as if the firing mechanism (hammer to firing pin) is in a position for firing.  Then when you're on solid ground, finish the pump, and you've got a chambered round ready to engage the first turkey caught in your sights.

The open action on the 1897 reminds me of Browning's autos, which also have a "safe in slidelock" that informed all the other successful firearms of the 20th and 21st Centuries. 

[WymoreWrangler]

Being a cowboy action shooter, I'm not sure that I'd want to use a original 1897 with magnum turkey loads when they are alot of vary cheap modern pumps that are made to handle those pressures....

[Dougdubya]

Being a cowboy action shooter, I'm not sure that I'd want to use a original 1897 with magnum turkey loads when they are alot of vary cheap modern pumps that are made to handle those pressures....

This is why it's good that this board has some SASS folk on hand who also have experience with turkey hunting.  I didn't realize that turkey loads were loaded that hot.

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