Why did I buy THIS?!

Trawling through www.holtsaucti... I found an absolute bargain of a Winchester in the Sealed Bid sale, so I went for it…
Unfortunately this purchase turned into a saga of bad decisions 🤦🏼‍♂️
Enjoy
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[@geoffroberts5641]

I have a Grand European Trap gun which has been cut down to a sporter. The model 101's I have seen is different internally to the Model 501 Grand European (The model number of my gun is G551119APG which is the presentation grade model) as they had mechanical triggers rather than inertia set triggers like my 501. I have used it weekly for more than 40 years and it has never let me down.. The only replacements have been firing pins and a top lever latch spring. I believe it has a European walnut stock as the gunsmith was able to add cast by bending the stock with hot oil about 40 years ago and this has given no problems in that time. The wood is quite soft unlike my other Mirokus. It's my favourite gun. I recently treated it to Briley thin wall chokes as I will continue to use it for a long time.

[@anthonyhamilton-smith8494]

Love my 101. It was the first gun I bought when I turned 14. It cost me $450 back in 1987.

[@johnnyjoseph1389]

I'm jealous of how inexpensive used over unders are over there... Unless you just happen to know a guy who owns the pawn shop and are at the right place at the right time. Every last one of those would be 1,000 plus dollar gun here in the states. Even with a cracked stock.

[@MR12GAUGE]

Jonny buying up the whole kodensha plant i love it, great guns still, what i would give to be able to visit japan during the 70s and visit all these plants, skb, miroku, o/k

[@tgsoutdoors]

That would be wild!!

[@tomo-um7kj]

Buying a Winchester 101 particularly a Grand European is never a mistake. Well made, excellent handling, good looking guns. I own two of them. You’ve made yours shootable, enjoy and welcome to the gang 👍

[@olacarlenhag-jd2qo]

I bought one of these about a year ago in next to mint condition. It has straight stock, double triggers and 6-4 mm rib. The front trigger work as a single trigger. My absolute favourite walk up gun. Nice video 👍🏻

[@geoffroberts5641]

My friend has a 101 with double triggers and a straight hand stock but it is unusual in that you use it like a single trigger gun in that if you pull the front trigger first it fires the open choked barrel first and with a second pull on the front trigger it will fire the other barrel. If you pull the back trigger first the tight barrel fires and the second pull fires the orther barrel. A sort of double trigger single trigger gun.

[@bruceyeoward6544]

Good shooting with a now improved gun with replacement stock, gun fit is everything. Grand European where a field gun 28-30", Diamond Grade trap & skeet 27-32", Pigeon Grade XTR Leight Weight(8lb ?) 27" field gun, some people say the Diamond Grade was the highest quality, others say the Pigeon Grade XTR LWT or Grand Euro, I think they where all similar. The jointing on some of these models was not perfect, I had mine re-jointed and is now better than when new. Barrels with Winchoke will interchange with to other guns made for Winchoke a bit of fitting. Agree the combs where too low but nothing an adjustable comb wont fix. Good buy at the right price.

[@bruceyeoward6544]

To prevent the stock or fore-end wood cracking keep the screws tight, I use blue locktite this prevents the fore-end screws working loose, common fault seen.

[@gimp6019]

I've been shooting a 101 Diamond Grade Trap since 1986 and would not change a thing. have had to have a new lock installed and it eats firing pins but kill clays

[@vcrudelejr]

I have a 101 Diamond Skeet 20 gauge. One of my favorite guns for shooting clays and hunting quail and grouse. Your videos on vintage shotguns are very interesting and entertaining. Well done indeed.

[@kenlansing1216]

Back in the late '80's I was working with a fellow who had a beautiful Winchester 101 in 12 gauge. I hope he's still enjoying it. . . . in it's ORIGINAL configuration.

[@petebrown6952]

I own one bought new in 1983 still my favourite but a bit heavy for walking up! Excellent wildfowler! 101 XTR 3" WILDFOWLER the bees bollocks!

[@peterbalac1915]

​@@petebrown6952 I had one with a black action , bought it off a mate he had put a fair few shells through it on the wash and foreshore. Had a light weight 101 as well sold,,,,gave the pair away when I bought into the 32" brigade MK 38 Miroku wich is a great gun but I've never shot at well as I did with the old Winchester. Keep looking and hankering for another one peeves me because I let them go for peanuts and there still making 3 times what I took for mine.

[@petebrown6952]

@@peterbalac1915 never once regretted buying mine, only issue I had was one week from taking delivery it started to double discharge! If ever you want a cure for constipation just try that! Used mine on The Wash, the washes inland and around Fenland Wildfowler Club marshes. Now the only issue now is it weighs 8.25 pounds! Several heart attacks and chronic Arthritis! Regards Pete.

[@peterbalac1915]

@@petebrown6952 cheers Pete same here, my mate took me to the fenland club the guy I bought the gun off we done the morning flight and stayed for the evening. My lab got heavy tail I got frostbite 😂😂 and I wonder why I'm crippled with arthritis. Had the double discharge on a side bi side also on my 101 20 bore jesus my teeth looked like a row of bombed out houses, good bunch of lads in the fenland club unfortunately I'm to far away to go down now take care Pete thanks for the reply 🤙

[@Olorinii]

I envy that UK secondary market.

[@leepearce4742]

Both me and my dad at point had every variation of the Grand European , great guns and so undervalued. My dad still shoots his sporter now, as well as if not better, than any other more expensive gun he's bought since

[@AlexP-hl4wn]

Glad you’re making these “almost mistakes” so I don’t have to - if I ever think about buying two cheap guns to make a megagun from, I’ll just watch this video again!

[@tgsoutdoors]

The real issue is, a month on I have forgotten the money and still have a cool gun!!

[@bentaylor216]

Well, you've got a good gun out of the process and we've got yet another entertaining and informative video so a win all round!

[@bgjb-r1499]

The issue for me was the internals. The firing pins wore out quickly. They would gunk up and the mechanism did not completely retract the firing pins after taking a shot, making it very difficult to open up the gun. The bottom of the receiver by the forend began to crack. I sold mine in 1993 for $750. I then purchased a beretta 682 that lasted forever.

[@Joe3pops]

When the base gun club at CFB Comox was dissolved, it's shotguns were accessed prior to public sale. Citoris the gunsmith recommended for repair suitable for sale. The Winchester 101s not so much. Gunsmith suggested sell them ASAP. Even at a loss.

[@dennisboulais7905]

Great, interesting well told story.

[@MalcolmPowder]

Johnny, you've done the right thing. This isn't Chippendale furniture. Shotguns are tools, we like them to be nice looking and original, but if they don't do the job they were intended to do, they are worthless.

[@geoffroberts5641]

Why not an adjustable comb?

[@tallboy49]

Bought my 101 in 69 outshot many A grade brownings with it much to their owners disgust when considering the price difference my son has it now and is still going strong

[@mallardcutter7209]

Great episode !

[@darrenlaithwaite7810]

Great film John, I was speaking with Lloyd at the gun show. Hopefully you'll be doing more together.

[@philipblake4975]

hi enjoy the talk about the the Winchester i had 12 bore super grade but ejecta spring broke and couldn’t get one anywhere but i still have the 20 bore which i still use i bought them together about 20 years ago 😃

[@willaimwinchell1813]

I used to shoot a club gun in Torrejon Air Base Spain that was a winchester 101, it was 410 bore. I was a great shotgun, always wished it was mine. Great video.

[@alexsayer2499]

Was shooting one last week. Great fun

[@duke7016]

Great video love your videos on the old Japanese stuff I have a nikko Custom Grande So any information about the old Japanese stuff is greatly appreciated

[@simonharrison6840]

I had a nikko grandee custom in the 80s loved it i now have 2 nikkos one trap one skeet love them both !

[@theashbys8863]

Great vid took me back to your early gunsmithing vids need more of those pretty please with cherry on top

[@karlsailor]

The stock trade was a good choice. These aren't hand made heirlooms, they're mass produced (mostly) modern guns. Make the best of it.

[@tgsoutdoors]

Here here, I have done a lot of this sort of custom rebuilding for clients over the years, but always felt that it was odd. A month on from when we filmed this, I can still sleep at night and don’t think about changing them back to how they were.

[@annrobinson4951]

Nice one Johnny, 1 out of 3 not bad! Keep up the good work! See you on the next vid, Malc and Ann xxx

[@dann6888]

Please come to the Winchester Mystery House in California. They have a nice museum. You’d get a kick out of it I think.

[@drewsullivan8158]

I would love for you to do a Winchester 101 history lesson as I bought a 60s model and don’t know much on them past that. Thanks!

[@grahamedwards9920]

I don’t think I could have ever changed the beautiful lines of the original stock but an entertaining video.

[@jsagazio]

Cracking good video mate. Well done!

[@matthewdeepblue]

I really really liked this. Old guns are fun

[@hammyh1165]

Mrs Jonny must be so understanding, we all know it's going in the collection 😂

[@tgsoutdoors]

🤫

[@michelt4390]

I think it's a great video to save for later on... Your significant other is questioning some purchase? - Look honey, this guy bought 3 of the same!!! On the bright side - he's got plenty of spare parts - he can convince MACON GUNSTOCKS (out of Missouri) to sell a stock blank... and have content for another video!

[@748tech]

i still love the 101. need to get a full info video on them

[@michaelirons5662]

YOU HAVE MADE IT A SUPERB UPGRADE MT I LOVED THE GRAND EUROPEAN M.

[@perrypappous7617]

All is well that ends well!

[@andremaughan2845]

Hi the Grand European has a very similar measurements as browning pro sport action and the rib has a very similar taper design. It could be a follow up video. 👍🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@garyallison1193]

I have a 101 in 20 ga . Love it for game and clays great video thanks

[@stevew3196]

Interesting post thanks.

[@user-jj2dk5ew9j]

by a MP234

[@jac2275]

The cracks are result of making the cast. Some woods will not withstand the casting process

[@chadnolte9134]

Whatever help you sleep better at night. 😂 Good example of making something out of almost nothing. And yes sometimes the search down the rabbit hole for the things we think we need is the funnest part of it all. Good stuff.

[@aluminati9918]

Great episode, and great shooting gun obviously. You seem to really “powder “ the clays, more so than when shooting some of your expensive guns.

[@marcgraham412]

I was quite enjoying the funky music at around 17 mins 😂.

[@redduc9523]

Yup, you still have all the original parts, so yup I’d do the same and have done exactly as you did, bought a bunch of spares only to find out, now I have tons of parts and it would have been cheaper to buy a better one, then where’s the fun in that😂😂

[@stephenvikla6926]

I feel blessed I haven’t been bitten by the “perfect fit” bug. I picked up a 60’s field grade 101, I’m a lefty, shooting a right handed gun with 3/4” too short LOP , no cast to speak of and guess what, It kills birds.

[@peterparsons7141]

Really fine value. that shotgun is going up in value. In twenty years you’ll make a few bucks, and have enjoyed owning it for that time. As long as I don’t loose when moving a gun, there’s no second thoughts. You would not be able to find that shotgun in North America, for twice what you paid. Go and buy a brand new, equivalent quality shotgun, and sell it a week later, and loose more than you paid for that. Now that’s a good deal.

[@wholeNwon]

The really important thing about your purchase is that you got a video out of it.

[@mattralphwright]

Content is king!

[@russelllevan3878]

Hi J, I have the Holts emails come through, but I can't ever see and Semi Autos listed...is that just that there aren't any at that time please? Thx Russ

[@russelllevan3878]

@@neillithgow1534 Thanks Neil, I've found them, much appreciated 👍

[@pim1234]

Is it steel proved ?

[@petebrown6952]

Mine is. 101 XTR 3" wildfowler.

[@markwierzbicki5307]

I feel your pain in respect to the butchering of two guns (reasonable classics) to make one, although very good handling, Frankenstein. Good video though!

[@joshuabassett2534]

I believe this is what car enthusiasts would call a Resto-Mod

[@martinsteven2643]

It would be nice to see you try and fix and recast the original stock.

[@tgsoutdoors]

Fix is an easy one. Fox and recast… that’s an ask

[@johnfoust5035]

Hi. Love the vids. I recently picked up a weatherby regency made in Italy. Beautiful gun and shoots great. The online info seems to be biased from a few individuals. Any insight on the gun? Thanks

[@curttundra]

Great video. Good on you for getting a great looking gun back to life. Question, are you heading to Tucson AZ end of the month for the US Open sporting clays?

[@tgsoutdoors]

I’m afraid I can’t make it to the open this year. Nationals is on the cards though luckily

[@carlswainston7918]

My first 12g was a 101

[@petersimpson712]

Bandsaw and bit of hardware would give you an adjustable comb

[@danhill6333]

Well at least you weren't opening up any gas ports. 😂

[@heathhenry6083]

Love this video, Dr. Frankenstein used all kinds of parts to make his monster.. Johnny just happened to use 2. LOL! JK I have greatly enjoyed the video!

[@sofahousechurch8266]

Ace video

[@KLD2929]

I wander what the cost would have been to take the gun to a gun smith that could carve out a new stock?

[@tgsoutdoors]

Might have got a grade one for £1000

[@royjennison3916]

great vid , what happens to the other guns you bought , you will have to resell them .

[@tgsoutdoors]

Sell guns …. That sounds bad for your health

[@brettbaker5599]

@@tgsoutdoors It is!

[@jimmarcham6271]

Anyone that's been shooting long enough will have something buried at the back of the cabinet .... something they pull out every now and then, look at it and think "why did I do that ..... " This may be that moment ... 🤣

[@tgsoutdoors]

I have a entire cabinet devoted to those moments

[@jimmarcham6271]

@@tgsoutdoors 🤣

[@projectgothamgtr]

Jon I noticed you said you won a couple of guns... So, "Holts Haul" video soon? Then maybe individual videos on each of the goodies...?

[@stevenbodum3405]

normaly you cant go wrong with these old japanese shotguns, like my nikkos

[@garywalker1089]

I’ve got a Classic Doubles 101 trap with Monte Carlo stock , a Rolls Royce of a gun , would have bought that GE of you as I’m a left hooker 👍👍.Keep up the good work mate

[@rickyjeneson7857]

Pm me if the barrels are inter changeable please Johnny. We may be able to have a deal.

[@mimikemorgan.shoots2643]

Jonny, you really need to do a self evaluation. It may feel good to your idd to say that you are frugal, but really now, you ARE the proud owner of not just one, but two Longthorne firearms. Happy days!

[@tgsoutdoors]

😬 technically only one…. But you may have a point.

[@kdm6287]

Johnny ur the proud owner of 3 Winchester's. Welcone to the club. LOL

[@pallestrauss9187]

Old winchester from Japan is The top👍

[@tomhman6441]

Turns out you have two winchesters now. Could the old stock be fixed? That might. make a interesting video.

[@jimlandreth555]

Buy a good side by side and you will better off and enjoy a lot more. Not a fan of over and under.

[@ghulamsarwarghulamsarwar6009]

Best for hunting?

[@andybannon7680]

Gun guy curse research think plan and scheme how to make it the best and by the time you get it done it’s not quite the be all do all you thought it might be so you start thinking about how to make it better or what other gun would better suit your needs.

[@briansolomon6153]

i had a 101 a really good gun never really got the credit it deserved

[@Foss2506]

Mate, you lost me at the moment you said £285. I spent more on our last Sainsbury’s shop.

[@dave_724]

Question is why wouldn’t you buy a 101 there lovely guns the engraving on that one would look great on any modern miruko or browning !

[@rickvann3489]

Cracken jolly good video mate, just Cracken, now send the Frankenstein over to America and I thank you.

[@lidijabacic8348]

how many guns are you allowed to own in england by your lords?

[@williamgabers4935]

You could always just have a new stock made for it, Then put the other gun back to original? Just a thought.

[@tgsoutdoors]

If only that was a financially viable option

[@karlosthejackel69]

You looked like prince harry when you started the shoot.

[@SnoopReddogg]

Ease up with the insults

[@vkygaming5655]

Bro.. Make a video side by side which is the best for hunting iam yur new subscribers 🤝

[@arnoldfoote1925]

Can you real be smart with Money, and love guns?

[@ericcapucci9869]

kinda looks like a nikko

[@hammyh1165]

Same factory.

[@tgsoutdoors]

Or the same factory complex.

[@stog9821]

I have an old Nikko purchased second hand at a gun show 40 years ago. It’s a pretty decent O/U. I had not idea what I was buying at the time, but it’s come to be a favorite.