I bought a field grade 101 in mid 1980’s from Midwest gunworks in okc. I live in arkansas and have been duck hunting with it since i bought it. I also have killed many turkeys with it. It has no butt pad and kicks like a mule. It started double firing on me about 15 years ago. I got that fixed along with the rib between the barrels re soldered. It is still the best gun i have ever owned and i would not sell it today. I oil it a clean it some and before the work on it, it was almost entirely silver. Now the barrels are blued. I am 70 years old. I shot it 40 days or more at ducks this year and believe i will finish my hunting life with it. I have others o/u guns but this gun has the best feel when you throw in up to your shoulder than any 12 ga i have seen. I love this old gun! Should have bought another just like it when i could. Thanks for the 101 review.
I bought my 101 in 1972 at the rod and gun club in Giessen Germany. It was a field grade. It never failed to go bang. I gave it to my grandson in 2023. Best gun I have ever owned.
Thank you for a fascinating look into the 101. I have a Diamond Grade Sporter that I had for my 18th birthday. I am now 58 and it's in beautiful condition. I'm in the UK and having watched your video I may even go and break some clays with it this Sunday. It should get more use than it does.
I love watching your videos you are definitely an expert and even though I've been shooting and enjoying for 40 years I still learn from somebody like a pro like you.. thank you so much.
Thank you for making these 101 videos three weeks ago purchased 101 12ga diamond grade trap form gentleman purchased the gun from original owner who was close friend unable to shoot any longer. see DG 502902 E..the man who sold it to me knew the owner and he had used it 2 years or so. I bought gun and it is a gem to shoot and in very good condition. When I bought it he stopped using it about 3 years later when he bought his guerinni which he still uses..original owner bought it as the news of stopping production urged him to get it, so the gun is an early 87 or 88 production also has adjustable trigger. I took it to gun smith who loves them and his opinion is adjustable triggers appeared on trap diamond grade 87 could have been a little later..his only comment was that it barely broken in most likely much less than 5000 rounds. He was in charge of Nellis AFB gun club and range as well as gunsmith there they had several 101 for rent with no problem at all ..
Another great video on an affordable double gun. Please continue with similar subjects. Info on these old Japanese guns can be hard to find. How about something about Nikko, Howa, etc? A video on disassembly / repair of these 101s would be very helpful. Thanks again.
A trick I have learned on my Citori’s to quickly fire the second barrel after a FTF of the first, is to simply cycle the tang safety off then on. The second barrel will fire. It’s much faster than bumping the butt or opening the barrels. I haven’t had a plastic hulled shell misfire since the 60’s paper hulls disappeared, but I have failed to load the bottom barrel when birds are swarming. Don’t know if a new 101 would work this way, but it would be interesting to try.
Absolutely true, but for me anyway by the time my feeble brain recognizes the problem and then I fumble the safety back and forth the bird is long gone, or I shoot behind it. Good thing is that click-no-bang is really rare today with quality shells.
Just finished working on two Win 101. One, the earlier a field blued recovered 12 ga. for a recoil pad. the second A K-series looking very much like yours (very nice) for a Trigger recovery spring and Trigger sear catch.
Interesting, when I owned Winchester 101's with multi chokes, I spoke with BWM's head gunsmith, Carl his name was, he specifically told me that Browning invector and Winchester winchokes are not the same, and actually very dangerous to use the Browning chokes in a Winchester. Apparently the Browning chokes do screw in but leaves a little gap, the shot can get behind the choke and blow it out the end of the gun. Only what was said to me some years back.
I was trying to reassemble a new to me vintage 101. While I can reattach the barrel to the receiver, when I try to re-attach the forend, the ejectors that extend in front of the receiver get in the way of putting it back on. Any advice? I didn't have any problem reassembling when I bought it several hours ago, and found another UA-cam video by someone with the same issue, but he didn't post the solution.
Last Red Label we had came through the repair shop with a shattered buttstock. I really liked the first series blued guns in 20ga, but haven't had the opportunity to buy one in some time.
Good question. Production records after 1971 simply don't exist. Any of the 28ga or .410 guns are uncommon, but if I had to make a guess I would say fewer 28ga produced. Could just as easily be the other way but as far as I know completely unprovable based on any kind of factory records.
Help please... I bought a 101 winchester 12ga over-under 5 years ago, the best gun I have own in my life and honestly I have no idea what grade is. Can someone please help me know what grade is and what year was made? Top barrel is modifd and under is imp cylinder. Was made in Kodensha Japan.
Probably a filed grade unless marked otherwise on the gun. Serial number charts are incomplete so, as explained in the video, only a rough estimate may be possible.
I have a 1990 Winchester lever action rifle that has never been shot. I bought it new and never used it. It has never been out of my home. This same rifle costs fifteen hundred dollars new today even though they are made in foreign countries. Mine was made in the USA. Do you have any ideal what mine would be worth today? Awesome cool video many thumbs up. ( I think mine is a model 94. I would have to check to be certain.
We just did a video on a pre-WW2 Model 94! It will be going live within the next couple weeks. Valuation should be done in-person by someone qualified. There is simply too much variation depending on age, model, special features (if any), etc, etc.
New "Browning" 101 is basically a copy of a Winchester that was a copy of a Browning in the first place. But without the excellent mechanical triggers and overall fit and finish. I think a Nikko/Kodensha 101 is very hard to beat and those new ones don’t come close.
@@BTORange thank you I took closer look at it and it was actually the trigger guard that was bent. After fixing the problem seems to open great now thank you
I bought a field grade 101 in mid 1980’s from Midwest gunworks in okc. I live in arkansas and have been duck hunting with it since i bought it. I also have killed many turkeys with it. It has no butt pad and kicks like a mule. It started double firing on me about 15 years ago. I got that fixed along with the rib between the barrels re soldered. It is still the best gun i have ever owned and i would not sell it today. I oil it a clean it some and before the work on it, it was almost entirely silver. Now the barrels are blued. I am 70 years old. I shot it 40 days or more at ducks this year and believe i will finish my hunting life with it. I have others o/u guns but this gun has the best feel when you throw in up to your shoulder than any 12 ga i have seen. I love this old gun! Should have bought another just like it when i could. Thanks for the 101 review.
I bought my 101 in 1972 at the rod and gun club in Giessen Germany. It was a field grade. It never failed to go bang. I gave it to my grandson in 2023. Best gun I have ever owned.
Thank you for a fascinating look into the 101. I have a Diamond Grade Sporter that I had for my 18th birthday. I am now 58 and it's in beautiful condition. I'm in the UK and having watched your video I may even go and break some clays with it this Sunday. It should get more use than it does.
DO IT! need more clays busted in the U.K. forsure, plus you won't regret getting your 101 out, especially a diamond grade!
I love watching your videos you are definitely an expert and even though I've been shooting and enjoying for 40 years I still learn from somebody like a pro like you.. thank you so much.
Thank you for making these 101 videos three weeks ago purchased 101 12ga diamond grade trap form gentleman purchased the gun from original owner who was close friend unable to shoot any longer. see DG 502902 E..the man who sold it to me knew the owner and he had used it 2 years or so. I bought gun and it is a gem to shoot and in very good condition. When I bought it he stopped using it about 3 years later when he bought his guerinni which he still uses..original owner bought it as the news of stopping production urged him to get it, so the gun is an early 87 or 88 production also has adjustable trigger. I took it to gun smith who loves them and his opinion is adjustable triggers appeared on trap diamond grade 87 could have been a little later..his only comment was that it barely broken in most likely much less than 5000 rounds. He was in charge of Nellis AFB gun club and range as well as gunsmith there they had several 101 for rent with no problem at all ..
Another great video on an affordable double gun. Please continue with similar subjects. Info on these old Japanese guns can be hard to find. How about something about Nikko, Howa, etc?
A video on disassembly / repair of these 101s would be very helpful.
Thanks again.
Great information!
A trick I have learned on my Citori’s to quickly fire the second barrel after a FTF of the first, is to simply cycle the tang safety off then on. The second barrel will fire. It’s much faster than bumping the butt or opening the barrels. I haven’t had a plastic hulled shell misfire since the 60’s paper hulls disappeared, but I have failed to load the bottom barrel when birds are swarming. Don’t know if a new 101 would work this way, but it would be interesting to try.
Absolutely true, but for me anyway by the time my feeble brain recognizes the problem and then I fumble the safety back and forth the bird is long gone, or I shoot behind it. Good thing is that click-no-bang is really rare today with quality shells.
You forgot about the grand European ? I own one in skeet with Kohler tubes and have shot 1000’s of rounds.great gun
Just finished working on two Win 101. One, the earlier a field blued recovered 12 ga. for a recoil pad. the second A K-series looking very much like yours (very nice) for a Trigger recovery spring and Trigger sear catch.
Was told first couple years the 101 pigeon grade had coin silver breech but was too costly and changed to SS also had rounded grip ?
They were 2 3/4” ammo only
They have fixed chokes also
Thanks for the information!
Interesting, when I owned Winchester 101's with multi chokes, I spoke with BWM's head gunsmith, Carl his name was, he specifically told me that Browning invector and Winchester winchokes are not the same, and actually very dangerous to use the Browning chokes in a Winchester.
Apparently the Browning chokes do screw in but leaves a little gap, the shot can get behind the choke and blow it out the end of the gun.
Only what was said to me some years back.
cool case. are they available anywhere anymore??
Those new side locking lugs are direct copies from the Beretta 680-series.
And others.
I was trying to reassemble a new to me vintage 101. While I can reattach the barrel to the receiver, when I try to re-attach the forend, the ejectors that extend in front of the receiver get in the way of putting it back on. Any advice? I didn't have any problem reassembling when I bought it several hours ago, and found another UA-cam video by someone with the same issue, but he didn't post the solution.
Make sure the hammers are in the cocked position.
I was able to sort it out, but will keep an eye out for that. Thanks! @BTORange
Have any Ruger Red Labels hiding on the shotgun rack? 🙂
Last Red Label we had came through the repair shop with a shattered buttstock. I really liked the first series blued guns in 20ga, but haven't had the opportunity to buy one in some time.
informative video, thank you. How scarce is the 28ga vs the 410?
Good question. Production records after 1971 simply don't exist. Any of the 28ga or .410 guns are uncommon, but if I had to make a guess I would say fewer 28ga produced. Could just as easily be the other way but as far as I know completely unprovable based on any kind of factory records.
Help please... I bought a 101 winchester 12ga over-under 5 years ago, the best gun I have own in my life and honestly I have no idea what grade is. Can someone please help me know what grade is and what year was made? Top barrel is modifd and under is imp cylinder. Was made in Kodensha Japan.
Probably a filed grade unless marked otherwise on the gun. Serial number charts are incomplete so, as explained in the video, only a rough estimate may be possible.
I have a 1990 Winchester lever action rifle that has never been shot. I bought it new and never used it. It has never been out of my home. This same rifle costs fifteen hundred dollars new today even though they are made in foreign countries. Mine was made in the USA. Do you have any ideal what mine would be worth today? Awesome cool video many thumbs up. ( I think mine is a model 94. I would have to check to be certain.
We just did a video on a pre-WW2 Model 94! It will be going live within the next couple weeks. Valuation should be done in-person by someone qualified. There is simply too much variation depending on age, model, special features (if any), etc, etc.
New "Browning" 101 is basically a copy of a Winchester that was a copy of a Browning in the first place. But without the excellent mechanical triggers and overall fit and finish. I think a Nikko/Kodensha 101 is very hard to beat and those new ones don’t come close.
Not at present. They are few and far between but we will try to find one.
My 101 is stuck shut. I removed the stock and and it came apart. but dont know the issue. why it wouldnt open
Without seeing it, hard to diagnose. I imagine the stock is not fitting well and the top lever is hitting the stock when you try to open it.
@@BTORange thank you I took closer look at it and it was actually the trigger guard that was bent. After fixing the problem seems to open great now thank you