Winchester 21

[Clark McCombe]

I’m branching out a little.
I see a Winchester 21 listed on GI.
A skeet model - says pristine condition.
I kind of like the way it looks.
Any thoughts?

Thanks

[matt koepnick]

I bought my first Win 21 last spring. It's an early production with double triggers. Weighed in at 7 lbs even. Has 1 1/2x2 1/2x 14 in LOP dimensions. Loved it soooo much I bought my second one later that fall , made the same year with same dimensions. Both have 30 inch barrels. I've looked at sheet models. Prob a lil more open choked and shorter barrels than I normally use .
I'm a huge fan of these long-barreled guns choked .015/.031 or so. Both stamped Mod and Full . I'm 6' 3" so these guns fit me to a tee. And they always perform better that I do. I'm working on another one made in late 30's that's got gorgeous wood with 28 in barrels. It's a single trigger model, and I'm hesitant to buy it as I've sold off all my other guns set up with only one. Just me and my quirks.
I believe you would enjoy it if you're a shooter. It would be interesting to see what the actual constricts are in the bore. Mattly

[Researcher]

I've got both 12- and 16-gauge Model 21 Skeet Guns. The WS-2 barrel is way too tight for modern day NSSA Skeet (.015" in my 1953 12-gauge and .013" in my 1941 16-gauge) really much better choking for the second barrel of field gun.

[Big D]

I have never understood why Winchester sold a Skeet Grade gun which didn't necessarily have anything to do with shooting Skeet

[Researcher]

Originally Posted by John Dallas

I have never understood why Winchester sold a Skeet Grade gun which didn't necessarily have anything to do with shooting Skeet

Back in the day, the Model 21 Skeet Gun was for gentlefolks at the country club where Skeet was the game for the well-heeled.

Your Gun For Skeet 01 inside.jpg

Your Gun For Skeet 02 inside.jpg

Your Gun For Skeet 03.jpg

Your Gun For Skeet 04.jpg

Your Gun For Skeet 05.jpg

That early 1940s world-wide unpleasantness brought Skeet to the working man.

Winchester never catalogued a Model 21 Skeet Grade. As originally introduced the Model 21 Skeet Gun was offered in Tournament, Trap or Custom Built Grade. From the 1933 Winchester catalogue --

1933 Model 21 Skeet Gun, Pocket catalog.jpeg

By 1936, the Tournament Grade was dropped from the Model 21 offerings and the Model 21 Skeet Gun was then offered in Standard, Trap and Custom Built Grades. From the 1936 Winchester catalogue --

Skeet Gun 1936 pistol grip.jpg

Skeet Gun 1936 straight grip.jpg

[matt koepnick]

Thanks Researcher for the info. I may have to look a little deeper into getting a similar choked Skeet grade as number 3 for the stables... Mattly

[Clark McCombe]

Appreciate the responses. My experience is limited but it seems I seem to break more clays with a gun that is choked IC/ mod vs something more open. Maybe it’s my perception of seeing a clay shattered instead of a few chips flying off.
(If I truly kept score I would be disappointed.)
But this Winchester Skeet has me intrigued. I think a Parker skeet would be a little out of my price range.

[bob lyons]

I picked up a 20 gauge skeet awhile ago in very good condition.
I will post some pictures when I get back.
They are very nice guns I always wanted one and this one came along.

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by bob lyons

I picked up a 20 gauge skeet awhile ago in very good condition.
I will post some pictures when I get back.
They are very nice guns I always wanted one and this one came along.

Ernest Hemingway, the writer/hunter was crazy about Winny 21s. He owned three of them, all in 20 gauge. He gave them to his various wives who apparently did pretty well with them. I've held a few, but never shot one. Some folks love them. They aren't cheap but aren't all good guns?

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Clark McCombe

Appreciate the responses. My experience is limited but it seems I seem to break more clays with a gun that is choked IC/ mod vs something more open. Maybe it’s my perception of seeing a clay shattered instead of a few chips flying off.
(If I truly kept score I would be disappointed.)
But this Winchester Skeet has me intrigued. I think a Parker skeet would be a little out of my price range.

You are on the right path to breaking targets Clark. An open choke will certainly break targets but won't give you the visual feedback that a tighter choke will. When you just crush a target you know you were in the right place at the right time. Enjoy the journey my friend.