Winchester Collector - Forum: Restoration, Repair and Maintenance

TXGunNut on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 03:40:06 +0000

I think patience is the key with adhesives on wood, old guns in general. I use Gorilla Glue when building or rebuilding knives. I prep, apply the adhesive, clamp carefully and walk away. I've learned the key to working on old guns for this amateur is knowing when to walk away. I resume the project the next day. These guns we love have been around a long time. Getting in a hurry to fix them is almost always a mistake.

Mike

MidwestCrisis on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 02:45:20 +0000

I didn’t get good pictures of mine before I reinforced it. Both sides had cracks from stem to stern, I could’ve pulled it into 3 pieces with gentle pressure. I coated the inside with JB weld, then laid the fiberglass mesh soaked in the epoxy inside and smoothed it out. The outside of the stock also got coated in epoxy during the process. After the epoxy cured, I worked with several files for about 2 hours until it fit over the breach block and didn’t rub. I scraped the epoxy of the outside without getting into the wood. Basically just took off whatever the gloss finish someone else applied. With some 600 grit paper I evened everything up, applied some Sedona red stain, had it ready to spray with some aerosol lacquer. After the second coat, while rubbing with steel wool, I noticed the side flexing again. The cracks had opened from the outside. I used some gorilla brand super glue in them. Let it dry and used 600 grit and steel wool to get the excess off. I had to re stain after that. Let it sit overnight then started applying lacquer again this morning, buffing with steel wool between coats. If you look close you’ll see the fore stock is lighter on the left side because the stain didn’t penetrate as well after the lacquer. I wasn’t going to redo it, just wanted to blend it so I could shoot it tomorrow. It works out because the butt stock is lighter on the left side. We’ll see if my repairs make it through 20 rounds tomorrow.

TXGunNut on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 02:20:20 +0000

Nice work, Adam. As one of the "usual suspects" (one of my favorite old movies, BTW) and a T.C. Johnson fan, I'm looking forward to this assignment. Since we are a few days away from opening day of dove season (for the north Texas region) I'm thinking our clays adventure may need to be postponed. Since I don't currently have a Model 50 in my stable I'd be forced to shoot a Browning Citori. Hardly seems fair, right? I suppose I could limber up some social equipment (riot gun) to make it interesting...NOPE!

The preceding posts beg the question, if someone becomes the caretaker of a Model 1907 in good condition would it be prudent to reinforce the fore end if one intends to shoot it more than a few rounds?

Mike

Zebulon on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 01:25:30 +0000

MidwestCrisis said
Here’s the rifle back together. I had to repair a couple cracks in the fire stock. Both sides were pretty much all the way down. I used JB weld and reinforced with fiberglass cloth.

Adam, I can't see the JB Weld at all. Did you cover it with something or did the lacquer turn the gray to black? I like the forearm better than the buttstock but all you may want to do is lower the gloss to satin on both pieces. Otherwise I think you're done.

MidwestCrisis on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:27:24 +0000

I took it out to function check it. Shot a milk jug at about 50 yds. Tomorrow I’ll set some targets up and see how it groups.

Zebulon on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:12:44 +0000

You are going to get two. Adam's and one from the North Texas Usual Suspects.

In the spirit of scientic inquiry, my two colleagues are going go help me convert some loose vintage 351 ammo into brass. An important part of the process will be testing the Caldwell Brass Trap.

We've got Skeet to shoot and at least two Model 50 shotguns and the aforesaid Model 25 to pattern.

And a 1931 Savage 99F .303 to sight in.

All before 11AM when Satan finds Hell is too cool for him and rents space in North Texas.

Bert H. on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 00:02:37 +0000

Now all we need is a range report!

MidwestCrisis on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 23:57:59 +0000

Here’s the rifle back together. I had to repair a couple cracks in the fire stock. Both sides were pretty much all the way down. I used JB weld and reinforced with fiberglass cloth.

MidwestCrisis on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 23:28:09 +0000

I was able to install the new buffer and reassemble the breach bolt to the receiver. I used the string method. It wasn’t easy but it wasn’t that hard. Still have all the skin on my knuckles. The spring did pop out the first time, but then I kept my thumb over the slot a little better and got it. Once you get the guide rod about halfway to the washer, you can use a screw driver to move the spring around and advance the rod. The assembled gap is .090. New 3D printed buffer measures .345

Bert H. on 1885 Special Single Shot Stock Checkering

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 22:54:16 +0000

Blue Ridge Parson said
Bert,
That rifle shows the perfect blending of form and function, the melding of art and engineering. Can you tell me what it is chambered for? (and when you will be dropping it by my house.)
BRP

The SSSR in the pictures I posted is s/n 75874 and it is a 32-40.

The majority of the SSSRs were chambered for the 32-40 or 38-55, but they were made in small numbers in numerous other cartridges. The SSSR was Winchester's first dedicated Target rifle. They were available as early as 1886 (the Schuetzen Rifle did not make its appearance until March 1896.

Unfortunately, I do not own it , nor would I ever just drop it off at your house!

Bert

Blue Ridge Parson on 1885 Special Single Shot Stock Checkering

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 22:24:11 +0000

Bert,

That rifle shows the perfect blending of form and function, the melding of art and engineering. Can you tell me what it is chambered for? (and when you will be dropping it by my house.)

BRP

Bert H. on 1885 Special Single Shot Stock Checkering

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 20:03:17 +0000

The vast majority of the Special Single Shot Rifles (SSSR) were checkered with 20-lpi and the H-pattern.

This is a typical SSSR

Bert

JSchluter on 1885 Special Single Shot Stock Checkering

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 19:10:51 +0000

I am trying to complete the resurrection of an 1885 Special Single Shot. I ran across an original curved lower tang and over time have built the rest from original parts. I completed the metal parts and the butt stock just before I opted to get encephalitis. I've located a good stockmaker to finish the forend and do the finishing, but I cannot locate anyone to do the checkering in the typical Winchester pattern from that era. I'd like to know what the typical lines per inch was for the 1885's. Also, any help with locating anyone doing checkering.

Zebulon on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 23:03:55 +0000

Yes, Nylon. I'd guess whatever polymer you could make self lubricating gears out of with a 3D printer.

Anthony on Attention: Model 07 Gurus, Semi-Gurus, and Virtual Gurus

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 22:40:48 +0000

Zebulon said
Gentlemen,
The question I raised was about the material used to make the buffer washer, not the buffer.
Henwood described the buffer itself as being made of some Vulcanized fibrous material. I believe a popular modern material used to make them is HDPE - High Density Polyethylene - the cloudy-looking, flexible plastic that milk jugs are made from.
The buffer washer i unwrapped I expected to be metallic but it isn't. I got it twenty years ago, sealed in plastic film, from GPC. I'm pretty sure it was a Winchester factory part.

Bill,

Or Nylon!

Tony