Any Model 21 Experts?
 

Just acquired a Model 21, 12 gauge, 30" Full / Mod, half pistol splinter. double trigger....serial # 2063. The tables on these are confusing, but this seems to be a 1931, first year gun?

The gun has a busted buttplate with a three inch hunk of toe missing, but otherwise in really nice condition. I will send it up to Mark Larson to repair the stock....

I know next to nothing about 21's, so any info welcomed!

An early gun as evidenced by the style of the pistol grip and possibly by the serial number but. The but being that the frames for these gun were built and serial numbers affixed as built. From there they went to the bin where they remained until a frame was needed at which time one was taken with no regard to the number it was assigned. So it entirely possible that serial number say 10,000 was being built while number 8,000 was laying in the bin.

I've got two - a 12 and a two barrel set 20. I love 'em. Robert Kolesar has a copy of Schwing's M21 book for sale on the site now. Price seems good, and it's a fountain of knowledge

Looks very similar to mine. I love mine and hope you enjoy yours too.

Don't know a lot about 21s but I do know that double trigger/splinter guns aren't found often and they are normally earlier guns. All model 21s are built like a tank and you can normally feel that bulk when you carry one in the field very long. I think more people shot trap and skeet with them than used them as field guns. My opinion only.

Mark I actually had that same gun that I carried around at the Southern for a couple of hours trying to sell and then I got busy shooting and put it up. It had been refinished and restocked with modern wood though. Enjoy it, they can take almost anything you can get in them, real tanks ...

A guy I know on another site just told me that the forend latch on this gun was only used for the first year, and part of the second year of production because shooters complained that under recoil, the little knurled rocker knob could be operated and cause the forend to detach.

I have never been much interested in 21's because they look a little clunky to me personally, and they seem really expensive generally, so I don't know if I will keep this gun or not. I bought it VERY right. Now if it had been a 16 or a 20, there might be a different story!

I believe that to be correct. Actually I think that style of latch is really cool and I have never had an issue with them. I have owned 2 of them over the years I think. Never shot either one of those a lot though.

I believe this is a pre-1933 Model 21 since the barrel markings are on the top of the barrels "Model 21 Winchester -12 gauge" and the other barrel with the patent dates. Around 1933 the barrel stamps were moved to the side of the barrel.

I have a similar gun three digit serial number. I love mine. Patterns wonderfully. And no.... it is not bulky either. It is my go to gun when I want to beat the NH boys in sporting clays. M21 double trigger / splinter forend have a cult like following.

Mark,

My meat gun is a 1936 Mdl 21 20 Ga weighing 6lb 1oz from the factory. It has 26" barrels with factory Imp Cyl & Imp Mod chokes, DT, Splinter and ejectors. I haven't had the first problem with it so far.

I do agree with Reggie that the majority of 21's I've handled especially in a 20 ga have been a tad heavier than I want to carry at 6 3/4 - 7 lbs.

I hope you enjoy shooting some rounds thru your new 21.

Regards, Karl