Just recently got hold of an old but very reliable Winchester 1500XTR 12G. I had the 1400MK2 before which I swapped for a SxS 12g (the MAC one) . The 1500 XTR was only produced for 3 years between 1978-82 so they’re quite scarce nowadays for spares etc.
But being so damn reliable, they rarely go wrong as long as you look after them. The one I acquired hasn’t so much been ‘abused’ as ‘used’ and it took a fair bit of stripping out and cleaning/lubrication etc (including getting the choke out undamaged…not an easy task) but now she’s all singing,dancing and shooting spot on for average clays with the MOD choke fitted.
There was a great big ‘dent’ in the stock amoung the many smaller marks in the wood but with the help of the steam iron and a damp cloth, I managed to virtually remove it by rehydrating the wood fibres back into shape. Steaming dents out of wood is a great way to improve the look of a bashed up workhorse like this semi auto was and a hell of a lot cheaper than reworking the stock by sanding,wire wooling,paint stripping be it not as satisfying as a complete overhaul. I just wanted a semi which can be used for clays,vermin,pest control and not be worried about if it were raining or dusty etc because I know I can strip it easy enough to clean for next time.
Here’s a picture of the sort of ‘dirt’ I’m talking about which I had to remove when I got the shotgun home and took the trigger group out:-
I’ll post some more pictures up soon maybe in full stripdown position (the gun not me thank god!! lol)
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