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Posted: 1/21/2026 7:38:10 PM EDT
Got paid today and hot footed it back to the LGS but they had already sold that Win M97 in 16GA. Listed for $199. I needed yet another 16GA like I need an extra hole in my head and there was a Stevens 77D in somewhat better shape at guessing NRA Fair for $100 less. Took that as a consolation prize at $99 and was probably better off since that W97 had an issue that you couldn't get the bolt to release to extract a live round. Guess that saved an expensive trip to the gunsmyth to resolve. Here is a potato pix of it with 20", 18", and 15" marked for your convenience. Used the sock to hold in place in lieu of the otherwise mandatory foot pix.  Put this post in Shotgun vs. the GD (aka Generally Dumb) to get some informed opinions to help guide me. First thing will be to use these cold snap ice days here in Texas to field strip it and clean it up. Action is smooth from use over the years but there is some surface rust that needs steel wool attention. Not taking the action apart but will brake cleaner blast to get the years of accumulated gunk out from being shot then left in Great Grandpaw's closet, let dry, and oil up with some Italian sewing machine oil that I've had for years. I've got enough >28" hunting shotguns already and want something shorter. If I do cut it, will Loctite a HIVIZ® MPB-TAC Plain Barrel Shotgun Sight Linkage: to use for a front sight. Because the Stevens 77D uses a lug on the barrel, there is no way to easily add magazine capacity so you're stuck with 5 + 1. Was going with the James Reeves, of TFBTV fame, recommendation to velcro additional shell holders to the left side for more onboard capacity and weight. May even get one of those leather lace on buttstock shell carrier also. 1) Immediate thought was to SBS just even with the barrel lug where it attaches to the magazine tube. It would be 15" just forward of that point. This is a pre 1968 make without a serial number and if I took advantage to the current $0 tax stamp scheme, then additional engraving of a serial number would be required. That 15" position is marked in the pix. Then I'd need a hall pass from Uncle Sam if I wanted to cross state lines with it. Yet another PITA. Not that I go that many different places now days but still required. Don't think we're there yet where SBS's are normalized for everyday carry. Could be if someone (looks in the mirror) started to do so. 2) There is always the option for 18.25" to avoid the NFA hassles and just carry it in the floorboard of the RAV4's backseat which would be easily accessible for me. 3) Did a quick online search and found that there was a 77E variant with a 20" barrel that saw service in Vietnam with both US & ARVN soldiers. The buttstock was 1" shorter than the 77D model that was sold here in the States. I'm 6'5" plus I'm not going to butcher up the stock in a vain attempt to match that length for a 'true' model. Already got a Win M12 12GA with a 21" barrel. Cut the barrel since Bubba had brazed on a Cutts Compensator and possibly changed the temper in the barrel guessing from the color changes in the steel. Had a local gunsmyth trim all that off for a 21". So, really don't need a second one. Here is a pix of a GI with a Stevens 77E at some firebase in Vietnam. 4) Leave well enough alone and carry it in all its circa 1960 twenty eight inch glory. Adding a poll, let me know what you think. Appreciate it, |
Call the tune and let's dance; but beware that the devil is the piper and the tab for that soiree will be hell to pay.
Training&Trigger Time are more important than chasing a hardware Holy Grail
Training&Trigger Time are more important than chasing a hardware Holy Grail
Joined:
Jan 2023
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OK, USA
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Just for a social experiment, I'm going to cross post in GD just to see the difference in opinions. Please don't tell them that this was posted here first. |
Call the tune and let's dance; but beware that the devil is the piper and the tab for that soiree will be hell to pay.
Training&Trigger Time are more important than chasing a hardware Holy Grail
Training&Trigger Time are more important than chasing a hardware Holy Grail
The cut at 18" sounds like the best advice, so I went there.  That 16GA is surprisingly light and quick handling. Cannot wait to get back to the farm and try it out.  Couple of doodads to complete it: HiViz MPB, Plain Barrel Shotgun Sight, 12,16,20 Ga -- $21.00  Leather Buttstock shell holder. -- $29.99 
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Call the tune and let's dance; but beware that the devil is the piper and the tab for that soiree will be hell to pay.
Training&Trigger Time are more important than chasing a hardware Holy Grail
Training&Trigger Time are more important than chasing a hardware Holy Grail
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Originally Posted By aksahsalahs: Just did a 67. Same thing basically, other than some minor differences. I vote SBS. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/101965/unnamed-3692751.jpg I can always go shorter but not longer. 
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Call the tune and let's dance; but beware that the devil is the piper and the tab for that soiree will be hell to pay.
Training&Trigger Time are more important than chasing a hardware Holy Grail
Training&Trigger Time are more important than chasing a hardware Holy Grail
| 20 inches and make it a Vietnam type shotgun........I snagged an 1897 Winchester not too long ago and soon it will be converted into a trench gun, along with a Savage 620 |
"The villainy you teach me, I will execute, and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction"
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