LugerForum Discussion Forums - View Single Post - winchester model 1886 lever action shotgun

JD · 02-21-2013, 05:30 PM

Yes, it's an 1887 model. The script on the side of the receiver is WRA Co. for Winchester Repeating Arms Co.

I have one that belonged to my father, and on his passing I had it restored by Doug Turnbull, though this was long before he was famous. A very nice man and a true craftsman even back then.

For what it's worth, I fired hundreds of rounds of 12 ga. trap loads through my 1887 back when I was a kid, with no problems. My father used to shoot even 2 3/4" magnums through it when he used it for ducks and geese, again with no apparent problems. When I decided to have it restored, the bore had some slight pitting, so I took it to the premier shotgun barrel smith, the late Stan Baker. Stan honed and polished the bore. I asked Stan about shooting it with smokeless loads, and his reply was that it was actually a fairly strong action and if it was his gun, he wouldn't feel bad about shooting light trap loads through it.... In my opinion, Stan Baker knew more about shotguns than any man alive or dead. He was a true artist with a shotgun.

Were it me, I would find some 1 or 1 1/8 oz. low recoil trap loads and have fun (Provided your 1887 is in good mechanical shape....). Anyway, just my 2 cents....

02-21-2013, 05:30 PM	#18
JD User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Southern Idaho Posts: 107 Thanks: 58 Thanked 22 Times in 17 Posts	Yes, it's an 1887 model. The script on the side of the receiver is WRA Co. for Winchester Repeating Arms Co. I have one that belonged to my father, and on his passing I had it restored by Doug Turnbull, though this was long before he was famous. A very nice man and a true craftsman even back then. For what it's worth, I fired hundreds of rounds of 12 ga. trap loads through my 1887 back when I was a kid, with no problems. My father used to shoot even 2 3/4" magnums through it when he used it for ducks and geese, again with no apparent problems. When I decided to have it restored, the bore had some slight pitting, so I took it to the premier shotgun barrel smith, the late Stan Baker. Stan honed and polished the bore. I asked Stan about shooting it with smokeless loads, and his reply was that it was actually a fairly strong action and if it was his gun, he wouldn't feel bad about shooting light trap loads through it.... In my opinion, Stan Baker knew more about shotguns than any man alive or dead. He was a true artist with a shotgun. Were it me, I would find some 1 or 1 1/8 oz. low recoil trap loads and have fun (Provided your 1887 is in good mechanical shape....). Anyway, just my 2 cents....