WINCHESTER MODEL 21

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   WINCHESTER MODEL 21 
Sometime when I was a kid, I saw a picture of a Winchester
Model 21. That started a near life long quest. At one time I could
have ordered a Model 21 for $500. Problem was, I didn't have
$500. As I made more money, the price of a Model 21 kept
going up so that I never could quite afford one, or so I told
myself. 
As the years went by, I got to know Jack O'Connor. We only
lived about 40 miles apart. During one of my visits to Jack's
home, I got to handle the Model 21 Outdoor Life gave him upon
his retirement (that is quite a story in itself and maybe someday
I'll write about what Jack told me really happened). I also got to
handle the rifles Al Biesen made for Jack. That side tracked me.
Eventually, I found a way to own five Biesen rifles in 243, 270,
30-06, 300 Win Mag and 375 H&H Mag. 
Anyway, to make a long story shorter, in 1991, while at a local
gun show, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks. A 12
ga Winchester Model 21 with a beautiful straight grip stock and
splinter fore end that, I found out, was done by Sharmon Smith.
Turns out that Model 21 was built the same year I was born. I
took it as an omen and traded my AI Biesen 30-06 for it right
then and there. Next step was to send it to Brilley down in Texas
where they cut the barrels to 26" and installed their choke
system for me. Been carrying and shooting it all over most of
our western states for the last 12 years with nary a regret. 
Maybe it's just me and that boyhood dream come true, but I
swear I've never held a shotgun that carried easier or pointed
better. 
CJ 

Edited by cjishere2

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Topic: WINCHESTER MODEL 21 Posted: 23 July 2003 at 03:59
	WINCHESTER MODEL 21 Sometime when I was a kid, I saw a picture of a Winchester Model 21. That started a near life long quest. At one time I could have ordered a Model 21 for $500. Problem was, I didn't have $500. As I made more money, the price of a Model 21 kept going up so that I never could quite afford one, or so I told myself. As the years went by, I got to know Jack O'Connor. We only lived about 40 miles apart. During one of my visits to Jack's home, I got to handle the Model 21 Outdoor Life gave him upon his retirement (that is quite a story in itself and maybe someday I'll write about what Jack told me really happened). I also got to handle the rifles Al Biesen made for Jack. That side tracked me. Eventually, I found a way to own five Biesen rifles in 243, 270, 30-06, 300 Win Mag and 375 H&H Mag. Anyway, to make a long story shorter, in 1991, while at a local gun show, I saw something that stopped me in my tracks. A 12 ga Winchester Model 21 with a beautiful straight grip stock and splinter fore end that, I found out, was done by Sharmon Smith. Turns out that Model 21 was built the same year I was born. I took it as an omen and traded my AI Biesen 30-06 for it right then and there. Next step was to send it to Brilley down in Texas where they cut the barrels to 26" and installed their choke system for me. Been carrying and shooting it all over most of our western states for the last 12 years with nary a regret. Maybe it's just me and that boyhood dream come true, but I swear I've never held a shotgun that carried easier or pointed better. CJ Edited by cjishere2

Kingpin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Old IronSides Joined: 01 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11716	Posted: 31 July 2003 at 13:42
	yes, those are great guns. I don't have one....yet. I do however own a WW Greener live pigeon gun in 12 Ga. It's like carrying a stick. CJ, do you shoot trap or skeet with yours? I shoot a lot of skeet with mine. I also use it sometimes when I want to "charm" the doves to my bucket. Any great double is worth owning. I never get tired of handling them. Here's one thing that I wonder if you ever noticed about them. Have you ever seen a great over/under alongside a cheap fox model B? The cheep double looks like a sleek racehorse next to the blocky over/under. I don't own one for just that reason. Maybe we could get together for a bird shoot sometimes. I think I remember that you are in Idaho. I have a friend that I am going to visit sometime soon, just maybe during some kind of bird season.............Kingpin
	There are times when a normal man must, spit in his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Posted: 31 July 2003 at 18:14
	Kingpin - I shot trap long ago but I did it with a Remington 870 trap shotgun. Never got any better than a 22 out of 25 average, plus I grew weary of reloading all those shotgun shells so I gave it up. I've never shot skeet. The Model 21 Winchester is my favorite bird hunting shotgun. It carries and points like it's supposed to. I spent 20 years living in Idaho. Now I'm in Spokane, WA and looking to move. Spokane county is not a shooting friendly county. A good part of it has been declared a no shooting zone. I'd like to live in a moderate climate where I can shoot off my own front porch without disturbing anyone or breaking any laws. Right now I'm looking at places just in from the coast in both WA and OR. Places where my climate research shows that it rarely gets over 75 or below 30. My first choice would be Wyoming. I've spent a lot to time there and like it but the climate, in the places I know, is either too hot or cold for me. Right now I'm looking at Glenrock, WY based on a suggestion from a Wyoming guy who writes here. As an old retired guy with limited and fixed income, I can't afford to live in two places at once. If you get over into this area, I bet we could have some darn good conversations. Appears we have some similar interest as well as points of view. Be fun to sit around drinking coffee and visiting. Plus, I got a half way decent close working bird dog. A German Shorthaired Pointer named Johanna. Come 3 August, she will be 11 years old. And still fit. On our walks, generally one to two, or more, miles per day, she gets to hunt birds, usually quail, almost every day of her life. She will also course a rabbit, bringing it back to me in a big circle, or, at least, to me, what looks like a circle. They were bred, you know, historically, to be fur and feather dogs. Generalists. I like 'em. Since I'm new here, I don't know where you are writing form. Are you close to Idaho? If so, which end? It's a really long state sharing borders with both Nevada and Canada. Please keep me posted on your travel plans. CJ PS - Almost forgot, I also own a 20 gauge Winchester Quail Special over and under that weighs, with 25 inch barrels, 6 pounds 6 ounces. The older I get the better, some days, when I'm especially weary, I like that carry weight. By comparison, my 12 gauge Winchester Model 21, with 26 inch barrels, weighs 6 pounds 15 ounces so there isn't really all that much difference. I like 'em both. But, if I had to make a choice between them, well, that would be easy. One is a dream shotgun come true. The other is just a nice shotgun.

Wing master Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA StraightShooter Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8029	Posted: 01 August 2003 at 10:02
	CJ, Cherish the time you have with Johanna. At 11 years old she is doing really well to still be hunting. Their is nothing like a good German Shorthair. I know alot of guys like their lab's, But a Shorthair is the ultimate best friend and hunting partner. (Except my son) If you ever do make it to Wyoming, Get ahold of me and we will get Kingpin out here and go shoot some birds. Wing master
	I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.

Kingpin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Old IronSides Joined: 01 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11716	Posted: 01 August 2003 at 13:04
	Wing, that sounds like a plan.........Kingpin
	There are times when a normal man must, spit in his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

NH_Hunter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka The Kid Joined: 13 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3508	Posted: 01 August 2003 at 14:22
	What about me? Is it because i live on the East Coast instead of the west coast. O well, i will just hunt with my dad and read lots of magazines about hunting Over Yonder River. NH_Hunter
	Leverguns make me smile Proud Left Handed Shooter

Kingpin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Old IronSides Joined: 01 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11716	Posted: 01 August 2003 at 16:38
	DANG IT NH!!!!!!! I'm an east coaster too. The last time I checked I lived 6 miles from the Atlantic pond. Almost as east coast as you can get..........Kingpin
	There are times when a normal man must, spit in his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Posted: 01 August 2003 at 17:41
	Wing master - Thank you, that would be great. For over 20 years I got to Wyoming at least one to four, or more, times per year and I miss those trips. Any suggestions as to the most temperate, least hot in the summer and least cold in the winter, place to live in Wyoming? I'm looking to move. CJ