I hoped you would do a piece on the 5500, as a kid i looked at spoting gun with AJ Smoker in it and his 6500. I managed to get one, a sporter with 28in barrels, great balance, handling and low recoil until i had a issue with it discharging both barrels at once. Thanks for the piece.
I’ve owned various 101’s,5000,6000 and 7000 field, also 5500 Sporter, all brilliant, very good quality guns, still ultra reliable. I actually thought Winchester’s demise was because they were so popular that Browning were taking a big hit, so they bought the company, Classic Doubles as it was in the end, and effectively closed them down to increase their market share.
Olin/Winchester was getting out of firearms manufacture and had licenced their name to US Repeating Arms. Also Kodensha was cheating on the deal they had with Olin not to sell Nikko's outside Japan. Olin sold their interest to Classic Doubles International who continued manufacturing 101's until late 1988. Maybe after that Browning got involved as the reason for discontinuing production is unknown. The factory was demolished soon after and is still a vacant lot I believe. Bit sus ya reckon?
Bought a 101 Grand European and it is a nice gun. Made in the 80`s but still feels like new. Fixed chokes 1/4 and 1/2. Light, well balanced and comfortable to handle. Great game gun that will last many years to come.
I have been shooting mine for nearly 40 years and although I own modern Beretta and Miroku O/U I still much prefer my Grand European. BTW the Winchester Grand European is a model 501 not 101. Mine is a GE Trap and has inertia not mechanical triggers. The model numbers were: Grand European Featherweight 25-1/2:" G50155FW+ Grand European Trap-Standard 30" G50118 Grand European Trap-sSandard 30" MC G50119 Grand European Trap-Standard 32" G501181 Grand European Trap-Standard 32" MC G501191 Grand European Skeet 12/70 G50188 Grand European Skeet 20/70 G50189 Presentation Grade Trap 30" MC G51119APG Presentation Grade Skeet 27" G50188PR
Excellent review, much overlooked as well. The balance build quality and handling in my opinion make them a better gun than the 686 that put paid to them. I've an xtr lightweight game and could never part with it, if I could get 30" barrells I would use it for everything 👍.
Got one of these free (my first gun) around 6 months ago, the barrel measures 30" end to end so do I have the rarer 30? Or is it measured differently? Also I love this gun, way more than the other two I've since bought. And finally, do you know where I could get a compatible choke set for it?
Used a 101 when I got back into game shooting. A loaner from a mate. Somehow managed to break the gun with my right hand just under the action, as the barrels decended the metal from the forend made its way into the recess in the action. As it did so, it 'bit' the pad off my middle finger. So yep, they're loose and to me, they're know as fu#@ing Winchesters!
@@PremierGunsDoveridge When I purchased my Grand European second hand in the Early 80's it was owned by the local Wincheater rep and was shot loose at only a fews years old. I had it rejointed by a local gunsmith and 40 years on it has remained tight,despite countless cartridges including steel shot which was introduced in the mid 90's here in South Australia. I know about the reputation but I have wondered about the quality of the original jointing being the cause.
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Still have my 5000 Field , good video and information about them inventing the multi choke 😉
I hoped you would do a piece on the 5500, as a kid i looked at spoting gun with AJ Smoker in it and his 6500. I managed to get one, a sporter with 28in barrels, great balance, handling and low recoil until i had a issue with it discharging both barrels at once. Thanks for the piece.
Thanks for reviewing. I have a 6500 28" which often brings happy memories from other shooters. I love shooting it too.
Pleasure. Yes the 6500 another good one and as I say, the 28" was more popular then definitely. Classic range.. 😁
I’ve owned various 101’s,5000,6000 and 7000 field, also 5500 Sporter, all brilliant, very good quality guns, still ultra reliable. I actually thought Winchester’s demise was because they were so popular that Browning were taking a big hit, so they bought the company, Classic Doubles as it was in the end, and effectively closed them down to increase their market share.
Olin/Winchester was getting out of firearms manufacture and had licenced their name to US Repeating Arms. Also Kodensha was cheating on the deal they had with Olin not to sell Nikko's outside Japan. Olin sold their interest to Classic Doubles International who continued manufacturing 101's until late 1988. Maybe after that Browning got involved as the reason for discontinuing production is unknown. The factory was demolished soon after and is still a vacant lot I believe. Bit sus ya reckon?
Love old Winchesters.....love how they handle....have a couple of peaches in my cabinet..if ya find a good one buy it....
Bought a 101 Grand European and it is a nice gun. Made in the 80`s but still feels like new. Fixed chokes 1/4 and 1/2. Light, well balanced and comfortable to handle. Great game gun that will last many years to come.
Agreed
I have been shooting mine for nearly 40 years and although I own modern Beretta and Miroku O/U I still much prefer my Grand European. BTW the Winchester Grand European is a model 501 not 101. Mine is a GE Trap and has inertia not mechanical triggers. The model numbers were:
Grand European Featherweight 25-1/2:" G50155FW+
Grand European Trap-Standard 30" G50118
Grand European Trap-sSandard 30" MC G50119
Grand European Trap-Standard 32" G501181
Grand European Trap-Standard 32" MC G501191
Grand European Skeet 12/70 G50188
Grand European Skeet 20/70 G50189
Presentation Grade Trap 30" MC G51119APG
Presentation Grade Skeet 27" G50188PR
@@geoffroberts5641 Yep, it is a 501 not a 101.
Another great review Surprise you didn't mention the nikko's Also a great little gun from the same factory
Air flow rib, you could definitely pick this gun out in a line up.
I recently bought a Winchester 6000 field in mint condition but I can’t find many informations about..
Another really good video ❤
Bought a 30” recently for £175 out of an auction .
Excellent review, much overlooked as well.
The balance build quality and handling in my opinion make them a better gun than the 686 that put paid to them.
I've an xtr lightweight game and could never part with it, if I could get 30" barrells I would use it for everything 👍.
Thank you
Loved My 101 upgraded to a select in the mid ooo's
Great gun the 101. As are the Selects.
great review , thank you
Thanks for watching Roy
Got one of these free (my first gun) around 6 months ago, the barrel measures 30" end to end so do I have the rarer 30? Or is it measured differently?
Also I love this gun, way more than the other two I've since bought.
And finally, do you know where I could get a compatible choke set for it?
Am I right in thinking that an older well used Winchester is still better than what they have on offer these days ?
Depends what you're after really but we certainly have a healthy supply of them from this era and they don't disappoint..
@@PremierGunsDoveridge I was thinking the Winchester select etc.
@@aeron-mw7ofs Different gun to the 101
How about looking at an SKB o,/u
Used a 101 when I got back into game shooting. A loaner from a mate. Somehow managed to break the gun with my right hand just under the action, as the barrels decended the metal from the forend made its way into the recess in the action. As it did so, it 'bit' the pad off my middle finger. So yep, they're loose and to me, they're know as fu#@ing Winchesters!
Ah yes the 101. I know what you mean re the looseness
@@PremierGunsDoveridge When I purchased my Grand European second hand in the Early 80's it was owned by the local Wincheater rep and was shot loose at only a fews years old. I had it rejointed by a local gunsmith and 40 years on it has remained tight,despite countless cartridges including steel shot which was introduced in the mid 90's here in South Australia. I know about the reputation but I have wondered about the quality of the original jointing being the cause.
Am I right in thinking they had mechanical triggers?
Yes ur right, its not a recoil change over from barrels.
@@kdm6287 Model 101s were Mechanical. The Grand European (Model 501) is Inertia set
@@geoffroberts5641 My 5500 Win had a Michanical trigger. Have to say it was a great asset when dealing with hard percussion cap on some cartridges.
Is that 5500 for sale??
Ring the shop and they may be able to help 01882 565982
Bought a 30” recently for £175 out of an auction .