All entries must be received by giveaway end date. While anyone can shoot a gun with a shorter stock, a long LOP makes good technique very difficult for anyone who does not have arms like an orangutan. I’ve never understood why manufacturers make shotgun stock so long. As with most factory shotguns, the length of pull (LOP) was too long for my son’s fiancé. Sometime along the line someone had shortened the barrel to 18¼” but had not replaced the bead sight. I took a guess this was probably from years and years of no cleaning, with the interior gummed up with unburned powder, dirt and congealed lube. This shotgun was in good condition and lockup was solid, but the action was quite stiff. Like the Model 97 and Model 12, the Model 25 can be “slam fired” while holding the trigger to the rear and working the action back and forth. I explained that like the Model 12 and Model 97 shotguns, the forend needs to be pushed forward and kept there while a shot is fired in order for the gun’s action to unlock for the next shot. I proceeded to work the action and dry fired the shotgun five times without touching the action release. I initially thought it was a well-worn Model 12, but looking it over I realized I held the rare (compared to the Model 12) Model 25.
He told me after firing the slide-action would not work without activating the action release, demonstrated the “problem” and handed it to me.
#WINCHESTER MODEL 25 12GA PARTS SERIAL NUMBER#
I’m not aware of any records breaking down serial number by year, but with serial #10045 I think this was made in the first production year.įlint brought it over for me to look at and said they had taken it to the range. My son’s fiancé was recently given a Model 25 by a relative.
Unlike most modern shotguns with a magazine of four or five shells, the Model 12 and 25 have a capacity of six (6+1). All Model 25s had solid frames, so no take-down models. Standard barrel length was 28″ although no take-down versions were made although a few riot guns with 20″ barrels were produced. The Model 25 had a relatively short five-year production life with manufacturing beginning in 1949 and ending in 1954 with 87,937 produced.īased on the Model 12 action, it was known as the “poor man’s Model 12.” The Model 25 was a no-frills model and offered only in 12 gauge. They didn’t fair well as the Model 12 as we all know was the “The Perfect Repeater” and production ended after five years.However, gun dealers complained about the high cost of the Model 12 and this brought about the lesser-known Winchester Model 25. Steel front bead sights were standard, and receivers had matted sighting grooves standard. Of course special orders with recoil pads and special sights could be ordered then as well. They did make a riot gun model with a 20 inch Improved Cylinder choke and sling swivels. Some guns below serial number 47,100 had 26 inch barrels with Improved Cylinder choke, however 28 inch barrels were standard. Chokes were Full, Modified, and Improved Cylinder. All Model 25’s were solid frame no take down models, based upon the Model 12 action. The Model 25 was coined a “poor mans” Model 12, and was developed as a lower priced gun as dealers then complained about the high price of the Model 12.
No cracks, toe and heel are intact, also has the original buttplate. Twenty eight inch barrel.įurniture appears to have been redone however. Bore is nice and shiny no pitting anywhere inside or out. Appears to be original bluing with little wear mostly on the edges and here and there on the receiver and barrel. She is tight and locks up good and solid so she hasn’t been messed with. Not even my 4th Edition Red Book gives any info on dates besides what is known. No records that I know of that break down serial number production per year. Unfortunately, Manufacture began in 1949 and was discontinued in 1954 after numbers passed 87,937. Serial number, 21761 puts it at second year of production I believe. I wanted one for the fact they are not many produced and you don’t see that many of them, at least in my neck of the woods. Not a big following in the collector realms, however with low numbers of production that could change over the years, one never knows. Recently about few months ago obtained a Model 25 12 gauge shotgun and thought I would share it as well.