{ "apiVersion": 1, "kind": "work-order", "purpose": "Taking the firearm apart for a job such as refinishing, and putting it back together to specification.", "firearm": { "slug": "winchester-model-1897", "name": "Winchester Model 1897", "manufacturer": { "id": "winchester", "name": "Winchester Repeating Arms" }, "category": "shotgun", "action": "pump-action", "calibers": [ "12 gauge", "16 gauge" ], "alsoKnownAs": [ "Model 97", "Trench Gun", "Riot Gun" ], "coversAlso": [ "Model 1897 Riot and Trench configurations", "Model 1893 (earlier, weaker action — do not fire smokeless loads)" ], "page": "firearms/winchester-model-1897.html", "bundle": "api/v1/firearms/winchester-model-1897.json", "lastUpdated": "2026-10-29" }, "notices": [ "This work order is written for the Winchester Model 1897. It is reported to cover Model 1897 Riot and Trench configurations; Model 1893 (earlier, weaker action — do not fire smokeless loads) — if the firearm on the bench is one of those, check the torque notes: values do not always carry over.", "No torque values are recorded for this firearm. Get them from the manufacturer or a gunsmith; do not estimate." ], "disclaimer": { "headline": "Read this before you use anything here.", "points": [ "This is a guide, not an authority. Entries are compiled from manufacturer manuals, technical manuals, published references, and community knowledge. Some of it comes from sources that are not authoritative, and some of it may simply be wrong.", "Always consult the manufacturer's manual for your specific firearm and serial-number range. Manufacturers change designs mid-production without renaming the model. The manual that shipped with your firearm outranks anything on this site.", "Consult a licensed gunsmith for anything beyond routine field stripping and cleaning, for any firearm you are unsure about, and for any procedure marked as gunsmith-recommended here.", "Treat every firearm as loaded. Verify it is unloaded, with the magazine removed and the chamber physically and visually checked, before any procedure in this database. Point it in a safe direction the entire time.", "Disassembly can damage a firearm or injure you. Springs are under tension, parts can launch, and reassembling a firearm incorrectly can make it unsafe to fire in a way that is not obvious from the outside. If a reassembled firearm does not pass a function check, stop and see a gunsmith.", "Torque values are shown in two groups. Values from the manufacturer or the issuing military are shown as such, with the document they came from. Values reported by anyone else — parts makers, gunsmithing publishers, articles, forums — are shown separately with who said them, how reliable that source is, and their exact words. Those are not specifications. Confirm any torque value with the manufacturer or a licensed gunsmith before relying on it.", "Nothing here is legal advice. Firearms law varies by country, state, and city, and some modifications or configurations are regulated or prohibited. You are responsible for knowing and following the law where you are.", "No warranty of any kind. Contributors and maintainers accept no liability for damage, injury, or loss arising from use of this material." ], "page": "disclaimer.html", "legal": { "summary": "Legal notice: this material is third-party information compiled from sources of varying reliability and is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not gunsmithing, technical, safety or legal advice, it is not verified or endorsed by any manufacturer, and it must not be taken as fact. Any work on a firearm beyond the routine field stripping described in its own owner's manual should be performed only by a licensed and insured gunsmith. You use this material entirely at your own risk. Fundamental Build LLC and the project's contributors make no warranty of any kind and accept no liability for death, injury, damage or loss arising from its use. Full terms: LEGAL.md.", "page": "legal.html", "notice": "https://github.com/Fundamental-build-LLC/Pew-Takedown/blob/main/LEGAL.md" } }, "sourcing": { "confidence": "medium", "verification": "community-reviewed" }, "manufacturerDisassembly": { "status": "not-recorded", "limit": null, "statement": null, "source": null }, "recalls": [], "shopTier": { "tier": 3, "group": "shotgun", "rating": "Pew-Takedown editorial rating (1 easy – 3 hardest), not the manufacturer's", "reason": "81 key-numbered parts, an exposed-hammer carrier that holds the hammer, mainspring, sear and slide lock, and a reassembly with several held springs (mainspring to hammer stirrup, trigger on its spring, extractor plunger) plus keyed wire-spring retainers and a riveted shell guide plate. Many small screws that are not interchangeable.", "confidence": "high", "partCount": { "value": 81, "kind": "line-items", "covers": "complete Model 97 take-down gun per the Radocy 'Takedown Guide' exploded view legend (keys 1-81); forend wood and buttstock are drawn but not numbered ('Parts Not Shown: Forend Wood and Buttstock'), s", "basis": "publication-diagram", "source": { "title": "Winchester 97 Takedown Guide (Made Easy series) — parts list and 39-step takedown", "publisher": "Radocy takedown guide (PDF hosted by indaginibalistiche.it)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.indaginibalistiche.it/utlities/manuali/winchester_97_EN.pdf", "page": "p. 2", "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "81 Hamnrr" } }, "painPoints": [ { "issue": "Reassembling the carrier lockwork, the mainspring has to be kept engaged in the hammer stirrup, holding the hammer back for tension, while the sear spring screw goes back in.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "Winchester 97 Takedown Guide (Made Easy series) — parts list and 39-step takedown", "publisher": "Radocy takedown guide (PDF hosted by indaginibalistiche.it)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.indaginibalistiche.it/utlities/manuali/winchester_97_EN.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Be surethe main- spring engagesin the hammerstirrupbefore replacing step#24. Pull back on the hammer to keep the tensionon the stimrp/spring engagement." } }, { "issue": "The carrier release button is held inside the receiver by a round wire spring keyed into a tiny hole; it is released by pushing the tip in with a very small tool while moving it with sharp-nosed pliers inside the receiver.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "Winchester 97 Takedown Guide (Made Easy series) — parts list and 39-step takedown", "publisher": "Radocy takedown guide (PDF hosted by indaginibalistiche.it)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.indaginibalistiche.it/utlities/manuali/winchester_97_EN.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "The carrierreleasebutton is retainedinside the receiverby a round wire spring,that is keyed into a tiny hole in the receiverwall." } }, { "issue": "The trigger must be pressed down against its spring until the holes line up for the trigger pin.", "during": "reassembly", "source": { "title": "TM 9-285, Shotguns, All Types", "publisher": "War Department", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/TM9-285/TM9-285.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Press trigger down against spring until pin hole in trigger alines" } }, { "issue": "The right extractor plunger and spring are under tension and must be held while the extractor is lifted out or refitted.", "during": "both", "source": { "title": "Winchester 97 Takedown Guide (Made Easy series) — parts list and 39-step takedown", "publisher": "Radocy takedown guide (PDF hosted by indaginibalistiche.it)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.indaginibalistiche.it/utlities/manuali/winchester_97_EN.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "Keep the plungerunder control, slowly releasethe spring tension,and remove the plunger and spring toward the front." } }, { "issue": "The carrier only comes out with the hammer cocked, the action slide lock release plunger held in and the carrier pried down through the ejection port.", "during": "disassembly", "source": { "title": "TM 9-285, Shotguns, All Types", "publisher": "War Department", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/TM9-285/TM9-285.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "insert a screwdriver through the ejection opening and pry gently on the carrier to start it downward," } } ], "minutes": { "strip": 80, "rebuild": 120, "basis": "estimated", "note": "Radocy's 39-step takedown: carrier (hammer, mainspring, sear, slide lock), trigger guard, bolt (slide hook, firing pin, retractor, extractors), shell stops, carrier release button, ejector, magazine; rebuild long for the mainspring/stirrup and slide-lock spring.", "source": null }, "stripScope": [ { "assembly": "Barrel / magazine / slide", "removes": [ "magazine locking pin and quarter turn", "barrel and slide assembly", "magazine end cap screws, ring and spring", "action slide and spring" ] }, { "assembly": "Receiver", "removes": [ "carrier pin stop screw and carrier pivot pin", "trigger crosspin, trigger and spring", "carrier (hammer cocked, release pressed)", "trigger guard unit", "slide hook screw and action slide hook", "breech bolt", "ejector screw and ejector", "shell stops and springs", "carrier release button and its wire spring" ] }, { "assembly": "Carrier", "removes": [ "sear spring screw and spring", "sear pin and sear", "action slide lock spring screw, joint pin stop screw, joint pin, lock and spring", "slide lock release plunger", "mainspring tension screw, mainspring pin, hammer pin, hammer and mainspring", "shell guide plate (riveted; leave)" ] }, { "assembly": "Breech bolt", "removes": [ "firing pin crosspin and firing pin", "retractor screw, retractor and spring", "left extractor pin and extractor", "right extractor, plunger and spring" ] }, { "assembly": "Stock", "removes": [ "butt plate", "stock bolt" ] } ], "hardware": { "pins": 12, "springs": 13, "detents": 2, "basis": "counted by name in the same list: pins = 12 magazine locking pin, 22 action slide lock release plunger pin, 24 trigger pin, 33 extractor pin left, 39 firing pin stop pin, 50 carrier pin, 60 mainspring" }, "specialTools": [ { "tool": "Stock tool or long-shank screwdriver", "usedFor": "Stock bolt" }, { "tool": "Slim drift", "usedFor": "Action slide lock joint pin through the slide-track access hole" }, { "tool": "Sharp-nosed pliers and very small probe", "usedFor": "Carrier release button wire spring" } ], "fitOnRebuild": [ { "check": "Trigger stop screw setting", "why": "If it is moved it must be readjusted so the trigger travels far enough to release the sear.", "source": { "title": "TM 9-285, Shotguns, All Types", "publisher": "War Department", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/TM9-285/TM9-285.pdf", "page": null, "pdfPage": null, "pageUrl": null, "quote": "The stop screw should not be removed. This screw is used to limit rear-" } }, { "check": "Takedown joint adjusted tight", "why": "A loose takedown joint is dangerous and batters the gun.", "source": null }, { "check": "Function check: safety, trigger/sear release, disconnector and feeding with dummy rounds", "why": "Standard after any detail strip; a mis-assembled sear or disconnector can double or fail to fire.", "source": null } ], "assessed": "2026-10-29" }, "videos": [], "configurations": [], "tools": [ { "name": "Hollow-ground screwdrivers", "required": false, "usedFor": "Takedown model adjustment and any screw work." } ], "phases": [ { "id": "clear", "title": "Clear and make safe", "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Point the muzzle in a safe direction and keep your finger off the trigger." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Note the hammer position. There is no manual safety on this gun — the hammer is the indicator.", "warning": "Half-cock is a hammer rest, not a safety." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Press the action slide lock and pull the forend rearward to open the action.", "partsFreed": [ "Chambered shell, if present" ] }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Cycle the action repeatedly, catching each shell, until no more feed from the magazine tube." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "With the action open, inspect the chamber and look up the magazine tube with a light.", "warning": "Chamber and tube, both." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Physically confirm the chamber is empty, then lower the hammer carefully with the chamber confirmed empty.", "warning": "Lower the hammer under control with the muzzle in a safe direction." }, { "n": 7, "instruction": "Remove all live ammunition from the work area." } ], "videos": [] }, { "id": "disassemble", "title": "Disassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "field-strip", "title": "Field Strip — Takedown Models", "level": "field-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Complete the Clear and Make Safe procedure." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "On a takedown model, release the takedown screw at the front of the receiver.", "warning": "Solid-frame guns have no takedown joint. Do not force anything.", "partsFreed": [ "(screw released)" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Pull the action slide lock, move the forend partway rearward, then rotate the barrel and magazine assembly a quarter turn and separate it from the receiver.", "partsFreed": [ "Barrel and magazine tube assembly" ] }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Clean the bore from the breech end of the separated barrel, and clean the bolt face, chamber, and receiver interior." } ] }, { "procedure": "carrier-group-removal", "title": "Remove the carrier group", "level": "detail-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Remove the barrel, magazine and action slide group (take-down gun), or the magazine and action slide group (solid-frame gun), first." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Unscrew the carrier pin stop screw, visible in the left top wall of the carrier just to the rear of the hammer tang.", "partsFreed": [ "Carrier pin stop screw" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Drift out the carrier pin, which runs through both receiver walls just below the carrier seat.", "partsFreed": [ "Carrier pin" ] }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Remove the shell guide stop screw from the lower rear extremity of the right-hand wall of the receiver.", "partsFreed": [ "Shell guide stop screw" ] }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "With the hammer cocked, depress the action slide lock release plunger pin in the right wall of the receiver so the lock does not catch on the receiver wall." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Insert a screwdriver through the ejection opening and pry gently on the carrier to start it downward.", "tip": "If the release plunger will not work, put a small screwdriver blade into the cut in the lower left forward face of the carrier and pry the action slide lock inward." }, { "n": 7, "instruction": "Rotate the carrier down and out of the receiver through the lower opening.", "partsFreed": [ "Carrier group" ] } ] }, { "procedure": "breech-bolt-group-removal", "title": "Remove the breech bolt group", "level": "detail-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Remove the carrier group first." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "With the breech bolt fully forward, remove the action slide hook screw from the right forward face of the breech bolt.", "partsFreed": [ "Action slide hook screw" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Reach into the receiver and remove the action slide hook from the left side of the breech bolt.", "partsFreed": [ "Action slide hook" ] }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Slide the breech bolt group to the rear out of the receiver.", "partsFreed": [ "Breech bolt group" ] } ] }, { "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-removal", "title": "Remove the butt stock and trigger guard bow group", "level": "detail-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Remove the butt plate screws and the butt plate.", "partsFreed": [ "Butt plate screws", "Butt plate" ] }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "With a long-shanked screwdriver, turn the butt stock bolt (now visible in the hole in the stock) counterclockwise to disengage it from the receiver tang.", "partsFreed": [ "Butt stock bolt" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Pull the butt stock to the rear off the receiver.", "partsFreed": [ "Butt stock" ] }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "With a pin drift, drive the trigger pin out of the lower rear end of the receiver.", "partsFreed": [ "Trigger pin" ] }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Pull the guard bow to the rear out of the receiver.", "partsFreed": [ "Trigger guard bow group" ] }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Remove the trigger and trigger spring from the guard bow.", "warning": "Do not remove the stop screw. It limits the rearward travel of the trigger, which must move far enough to disengage the sear from the hammer.", "partsFreed": [ "Trigger", "Trigger spring" ] } ] }, { "procedure": "riot-gun-bayonet-magazine-removal", "title": "Remove the bayonet attachment and magazine (solid-frame riot gun)", "level": "detail-strip", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Unscrew and remove the three transverse screws from the bayonet attachment.", "partsFreed": [ "Bayonet attachment screws (3)" ] }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Drive the bayonet attachment forward off the barrel.", "warning": "The barrel of the early solid-frame gun is screwed into the receiver at manufacture and should not be removed.", "partsFreed": [ "Bayonet attachment and hand guard" ] }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Lock the action by pushing the action slide handle fully forward." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Remove the magazine stop screw from the lower forward end of the right side of the receiver.", "partsFreed": [ "Magazine stop screw" ] }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Engage the stud and hole in the end of the magazine plug with an improvised tool (a pin-and-hole tool or a rod bent to an L) and turn the magazine counterclockwise out of the receiver." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Withdraw the magazine with the action slide group attached.", "partsFreed": [ "Magazine and action slide group" ] } ] } ] }, { "id": "refinish", "title": "Refinish", "components": [ { "name": "(screw released)", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 2 }, { "name": "Barrel and magazine tube assembly", "procedure": "field-strip", "level": "field-strip", "step": 3 }, { "name": "Carrier pin stop screw", "procedure": "carrier-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 2 }, { "name": "Carrier pin", "procedure": "carrier-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 3 }, { "name": "Shell guide stop screw", "procedure": "carrier-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Carrier group", "procedure": "carrier-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 7 }, { "name": "Action slide hook screw", "procedure": "breech-bolt-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 2 }, { "name": "Action slide hook", "procedure": "breech-bolt-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 3 }, { "name": "Breech bolt group", "procedure": "breech-bolt-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Butt plate screws", "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 1 }, { "name": "Butt plate", "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 1 }, { "name": "Butt stock bolt", "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 2 }, { "name": "Butt stock", "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 3 }, { "name": "Trigger pin", "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Trigger guard bow group", "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 5 }, { "name": "Trigger", "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 6 }, { "name": "Trigger spring", "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 6 }, { "name": "Bayonet attachment screws (3)", "procedure": "riot-gun-bayonet-magazine-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 1 }, { "name": "Bayonet attachment and hand guard", "procedure": "riot-gun-bayonet-magazine-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 2 }, { "name": "Magazine stop screw", "procedure": "riot-gun-bayonet-magazine-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 4 }, { "name": "Magazine and action slide group", "procedure": "riot-gun-bayonet-magazine-removal", "level": "detail-strip", "step": 6 } ], "manufacturerPartsList": { "parts": 20, "scope": "PARTIAL: TM 9-285 Figure 6 lettered legend, \"Barrel, Magazine and Action Slide Group—Disassembled View—Winchester Shotgun M97 (Take-down)\". Receiver, breech bolt, carrier and trigger parts have no legend list." }, "partsDiagrams": [], "materials": [], "note": "The components the procedures above separate. Coating, masking and cure are outside this database; follow your coating system's instructions. A part the manufacturer marks \"factory fit\" should not be swapped or reworked." }, { "id": "reassemble", "title": "Reassemble", "videos": [], "procedures": [ { "procedure": "riot-gun-bayonet-magazine-removal", "title": "Remove the bayonet attachment and magazine (solid-frame riot gun)", "configuration": false, "steps": null, "instruction": "Reverse the steps of \"Remove the bayonet attachment and magazine (solid-frame riot gun)\"." }, { "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-removal", "title": "Remove the butt stock and trigger guard bow group", "configuration": false, "steps": null, "instruction": "Reverse the steps of \"Remove the butt stock and trigger guard bow group\"." }, { "procedure": "breech-bolt-group-removal", "title": "Remove the breech bolt group", "configuration": false, "steps": null, "instruction": "Reverse the steps of \"Remove the breech bolt group\"." }, { "procedure": "carrier-group-removal", "title": "Remove the carrier group", "configuration": false, "steps": null, "instruction": "Reverse the steps of \"Remove the carrier group\"." }, { "procedure": "trigger-guard-bow-group-replacement", "title": "Replace the trigger guard bow group and butt stock", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Clean, lightly oil and lubricate the parts before replacing them." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Seat the trigger spring in its aperture in the guard bow." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Place the trigger on top of the spring with its curved end extending downward through the floor of the guard bow." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Slide the guard bow into the rear of the receiver, pin hole forward, until the pin holes in guard bow and receiver line up." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Press the trigger down against its spring until its pin hole lines up with the holes in guard bow and receiver, then insert the trigger pin." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Drive the trigger pin through until flush." }, { "n": 7, "instruction": "Slide the butt stock onto the receiver tang, mating it with the groove in the receiver." }, { "n": 8, "instruction": "Replace the butt stock bolt and washer and screw it down tight, turning clockwise." }, { "n": 9, "instruction": "Replace the butt plate and screw it down snugly.", "warning": "Do not screw a composition butt plate down too tightly; it can crack and the screw threads in the stock can strip." } ], "instruction": null }, { "procedure": "breech-bolt-group-replacement", "title": "Replace the breech bolt group", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Insert the breech bolt group into the rear of the receiver, locking lug forward and down, and push it all the way home." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Slip the action slide hook into the left side of the breech bolt locking lug so the boss on the hook seats in the counterbore in the lug and the hook lies in its guideway in the left inner wall of the receiver, point down and to the rear." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Replace the action slide hook screw from the right side of the breech bolt and tighten it.", "tip": "The head of the hook screw should protrude from the right face of the breech bolt at least 1/32 inch so that it cams the shell guide down clear of the ejection opening when the bolt is retracted." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Slide the breech bolt back and forth several times and check that the hook moves with it." } ], "instruction": null }, { "procedure": "carrier-group-replacement", "title": "Replace the carrier group", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Make sure the breech bolt is all the way forward and the shell guide stop screw is out of the right wall of the receiver." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Cock the hammer." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Insert the carrier, hammer up and to the rear, through the bottom opening of the receiver and keep moving it rearward until it seats in its recess in the rear wall of the receiver." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Press firmly up on the carrier until it is completely home behind the locking lug of the breech bolt." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Insert the carrier pin so its groove is on the left side of the receiver and lined up with the hole for the carrier pin stop screw in the left top of the carrier body, to the left rear of the hammer." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Replace the carrier pin stop screw." }, { "n": 7, "instruction": "Replace the shell guide stop screw in its hole in the right wall of the receiver just ahead of the trigger pin.", "tip": "This screw has a pin end; its head should sit flush with the face of the receiver." } ], "instruction": null }, { "procedure": "riot-gun-bayonet-magazine-replacement", "title": "Replace the magazine and bayonet attachment (solid-frame riot gun)", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "With the hammer forward in the fired position, move the breech bolt forward and lock the carrier behind it by pressing upward on the carrier until it is behind the locking shoulder of the bolt." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "With the action slide on the magazine, hold the magazine along the underside of the barrel and insert the rear end of the slide bar into the bar opening in the left forward face of the receiver." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Push the slide bar rearward so that it enters the cam aperture in the carrier." }, { "n": 4, "instruction": "Mate the magazine threads with those in the receiver, taking care not to cross-thread them." }, { "n": 5, "instruction": "Screw the magazine tightly into the receiver, turning clockwise, until the stop screw holes in receiver and magazine line up, then replace the stop screw.", "tip": "The improvised tool used for removal can be used to tighten the magazine." }, { "n": 6, "instruction": "Slide the bayonet attachment group onto the muzzle end of the barrel with the sling swivel to the rear and the sight up." }, { "n": 7, "instruction": "Mate the hole in the rear of the attachment lug with the stud on the magazine plug, and adjust the attachment until its screw holes line up with the screw grooves in the underside of the barrel." }, { "n": 8, "instruction": "Replace the screws and screw them in tightly." }, { "n": 9, "instruction": "Check the attachment for level seating and for interference of the hand guard with the action slide handle." }, { "n": 10, "instruction": "Pull the action slide to the rear as far as it will go and operate it several times to test the mechanism and the locking of the breech bolt and slide." } ], "instruction": null }, { "procedure": "reassembly", "title": "Reassembly", "configuration": false, "steps": [ { "n": 1, "instruction": "Align the barrel and magazine assembly with the receiver and rotate it a quarter turn to engage." }, { "n": 2, "instruction": "Tighten the takedown screw until the two halves are snug with no perceptible play.", "warning": "A loose takedown joint is dangerous and will batter the gun. Adjust it rather than shooting it loose." }, { "n": 3, "instruction": "Cycle the action several times and perform the function check." } ], "instruction": null } ] }, { "id": "torque", "title": "Torque", "coverage": "none-recorded", "manufacturer": [], "reported": [], "notes": "The manufacturer's documents give no torque value. They say: \"Then replace butt stock bolt and washer, and screw down tight by turning clockwise. The butt plate can then be replaced and screwed down snugly.\" (TM 9-285 Shotguns, All Types (War Department Technical Manual, 21 Sept 1942), PDF p. 31) \"Replace action slide hook screw from right side of breech bolt, and tighten.\" (TM 9-285 Shotguns, All Types (War Department Technical Manual, 21 Sept 1942), PDF p. 31)" }, { "id": "function-check", "title": "Function check", "checks": [ "Verify the shotgun is unloaded — chamber and magazine tube — before each step.", "Cycle the action fully and confirm it locks closed.", "With the hammer cocked, engage the safety and press the trigger. The hammer must not fall.", "Disengage the safety and press the trigger. The hammer should fall.", "Load two dummy shells into the magazine and confirm they feed and eject one at a time.", "Confirm the magazine cap or takedown fastener is tight.", "Determine whether your gun slam fires: with the hammer cocked and the trigger held to the rear, cycle the action fully. If the hammer falls as the action closes, the gun has no disconnector.", "Know the answer before you load it.", "On a takedown model, confirm the joint is snug with no play." ], "videos": [] } ], "troubleshooting": [], "sources": [ { "n": 1, "id": null, "title": "Winchester Model 1897 Shotgun Instructions", "publisher": "Winchester Repeating Arms", "reliability": "primary", "url": null, "accessed": null }, { "n": 2, "id": "u-s-war-department-24b2ec", "title": "TM 9-285 Shotguns, All Types (War Department Technical Manual, 21 Sept 1942)", "publisher": "U.S. War Department", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/details/TM9-285", "accessed": "2026-09-27" }, { "n": 3, "id": "winchester-model-1897-parts-manual", "title": "TM 9-285, Shotguns, All Types", "publisher": "War Department", "reliability": "primary", "url": "https://archive.org/download/TM9-285/TM9-285.pdf", "accessed": "2026-09-27" }, { "n": 4, "id": "tier-486c8c22", "title": "Winchester 97 Takedown Guide (Made Easy series) — parts list and 39-step takedown", "publisher": "Radocy takedown guide (PDF hosted by indaginibalistiche.it)", "reliability": "secondary", "url": "https://www.indaginibalistiche.it/utlities/manuali/winchester_97_EN.pdf", "accessed": "2026-10-29" } ] }