I have never shot my 1901 Winchester but now that I have read Cal's post, I may go out and shoot her a bit. These guns are plenty strong, but the 12 1/2" stock and severe drop makes them fairly unsuitable for serious shotgunning.

Thanks Bill for the info on the gun being strong & all. It appears to be in great shape mechanically and just a few light pits ahead of the forcing cone area.

Someone butchered the butt stock even shorter and am keeping an eye out for a replacement.

Those leather slip on pads are great to make a stock longer. Cut some leather shims to put inside to make one even longer. And for the drop in those old stocks - just learn to shoot them with your head up, not down and out like a turtle. :) With light loads you won't feel the recoil anyways. Charlie, was your data useing paper wads ? They usually have less pressure than useing plastic. Just from feel - the same load useing plastic wads kick alot more then when useing paper wads. Paul