Winchester Repeating Arms 101 User Manual

Winchester® Model 101™ Over and Under Shotgun Owner’s Manual

Important instructions for

Winchester® Model 101™
Over and Under Shotguns

Winchester Repeating Arms
Customer Service Department (United States)
275 Winchester Avenue
Morgan, Utah 84050-9333
Phone: [phone]

If you have any questions or comments regarding your
new firearm, please feel free to write or call us. Use the
space below to record information about your new firearm.

Model ________________________________________

Serial Number _________________________________

Purchased From ________________________________

Date of Purchase _______________________________

Winchester is a registered trademark of Olin Corporation.

AO1208/12319

Contents Page

State Warning ..................................1

WARNING: You are Responsible for Firearms Safety ...1

General Description and Operation .................6

Nomenclature ..................................7

Serial Number .................................10

Initial Cleaning and Oiling .......................10

Operation of the “Safety” ........................11

Barrel Selector .................................12

Top Lever .....................................13

Assembly .....................................14

Disassembly ...................................15

Ammunition ..................................17

Loading ......................................18

Firing ........................................19

Unloading ....................................20

Interchangeable Choke Tube System ...............21

Changing Length of Pull (Special Models)...........23

Adjustable Stock (Special Models).................25

Barrel Porting (Special Models) ...................27

Maintenance of Oil Finish Stocks..................27

Models with Special Finishes......................27

Cleaning and Maintenance Suggestions .............28

Parts, Service, Repair and Questions................31

Website Information ............................32

State Warning

According to state law, California requires that firearm
manufacturers, distributors and retailers include
conspicuous, specific warnings with firearms sold in
that state.

Warning: You are reSponSible

for firearmS SafetY

FAILURE TO FOLLOW ANY OF THE FOLLOWING
WARNINGS COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY
OR DEATH.

As a firearm owner, you accept a set of demanding
responsibilities. How seriously you take these
responsibilities can be the difference between life
and death.

There is no excuse for careless or abusive handling of
any firearm. At all times handle this firearm and all
other firearms with intense respect for their power and
potential danger.

Please read and understand all of the cautions, warnings,
notices, proper handling procedures and instructions
outlined in this owner’s manual before using your
new firearm.

1 ALWAYS KEEP THE MUZZLE OF YOUR FIREARM

POINTED IN A SAFE DIRECTION EVEN THOUGH
YOU ARE CERTAIN IT IS UNLOADED.

Never point any firearm at anything you do not intend
to shoot. Be extremely alert and aware of all persons
and property within the range of your ammunition.

2 NEVER RELY TOTALLY ON YOUR FIREARM’S

MECHANICAL “SAFETY” DEVICE. LIKE ANY
MECHANICAL DEVICE, A “SAFETY” CAN SOMETIMES
FAIL; IT CAN BE JARRED OR INADVERTENTLY
MANIPULATED INTO AN UNSAFE CONDITION.

The word “safety” describes a firearm’s trigger block
mechanism, sear block mechanism, hammer block
mechanism or firing pin block mechanism. Mechanical
“safeties” are designed to place your firearm in a safer
status, and no guarantee can be made that the firearm

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will not fire even if the “safety” is in the on safe
position. Mechanical “safeties” merely aid safe gun
handling and are no excuse for pointing your firearm’s
muzzle in an unsafe direction. See “Operation of the
‘Safety’” on pages 11-12 for instructions on the
operation of this firearm’s “safety.”

Remember, safe gun handling does not stop with your

firearm’s mechanical “safety” devices, it starts there.
Always treat this firearm with the respect due a
loaded, ready-to-fire firearm.

Some firearms do not have a mechanical “safety.”

Many target firearms, lever-action firearms and pistols
do not have manual “safety” mechanisms. Therefore it
is critical to read and understand the owner’s manual
for every firearm which explains the safe operation of
the firearm.

While it is a good idea to test your firearm’s

mechanical “safety” periodically for proper function,
never test the “safety” while your firearm is loaded or
pointed in an unsafe direction.

3 WHENEVER YOU HANDLE ANY FIREARM, OR HAND IT

TO SOMEONE, ALWAYS OPEN THE ACTION
IMMEDIATELY AND VISUALLY CHECK THE FIREARM’S
CHAMBER TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE FIREARM IS
COMPLETELY UNLOADED.

Make certain the firearm does not inadvertently

contain any ammunition. Remember, merely

removing the magazine does not mean the chamber
is unloaded. Always keep the chamber empty and
the “safety” in the on safe position unless shooting
is imminent.

4 ALWAYS WEAR EAR AND EYE PROTECTION

WHEN SHOOTING.

Unprotected, repeated exposure to gunfire can cause
hearing damage. Wear hearing protection (shooting
ear plugs or muffs) to guard against such damage.

Wear shooting glasses to protect your eyes from flying

particles. Allow proper distance (eye relief) between a
scope and your eye when firing a scoped pistol, rifle or
shotgun. Do not use unorthodox shooting methods
that could cause the rearward travel of the slide or bolt
of a firearm to contact your eyes, face or hands.
Always keep a safe distance between the muzzle of
your firearm and any persons nearby, as muzzle blast,
debris and ejecting shells could inflict serious injury.

Always wear eye protection when disassembling and

cleaning any firearm to prevent the possibility of
springs, spring-tensioned parts, solvents or other
agents from contacting your eyes.

5 KEEP ALL FIREARMS UNLOADED DURING

TRANSPORT, EVEN WHEN STORED IN A HOLSTER,
GUN CASE, SCABBARD OR OTHER CONTAINER.

6 DROPPING OR JARRING A LOADED FIREARM CAN

CAUSE ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE.

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This can occur even with the “safety” in the on safe
position. Be extremely careful while hunting or during
any shooting activity to avoid dropping any firearm.

7 HUNTING FROM ELEVATED SURFACES SUCH AS

TREESTANDS IS DANGEROUS.

Doing so may increase the risk of mishandling a
firearm. The following rules should always be observed
by you and those you hunt with. Always make certain
that the stand being used is safe and stable. Always
make certain that your firearm is unloaded when it is
being taken up and down from the stand. Always
make certain that your firearm is not dropped from the
stand, or dropped while it is being taken up or down
from the stand. Remember, a loaded firearm may
discharge when dropped, even with the “safety” in the

on safe position.

8 STORE YOUR FIREARM AND AMMUNITION

SEPARATELY, WELL BEYOND THE REACH
OF CHILDREN.

Take prudent safeguards to ensure your firearm does
not become available to untrained, inexperienced or
unwelcome hands. Store all firearms in secure, locked
cases or a gun safe. Keep your firearm unloaded when
not in use.

9 BEWARE OF BARREL OBSTRUCTIONS.

Mud, snow and an infinite variety of other objects may
inadvertently lodge in a barrel bore. It only takes a
small obstruction to cause dangerously increased

pressures that can damage your firearm and cause
serious injury to yourself and others.

BEFORE CHECKING FOR A BARREL OBSTRUCTION,

BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS COMPLETELY
UNLOADED, THERE IS NOT A LIVE SHELL IN
THE CHAMBER AND THE “SAFETY” IS IN THE
ON SAFE POSITION.

After assuring yourself that the firearm is completely

unloaded, open the breech or action and look through
the barrel to be sure it is clear of obstructions. If an
obstruction is seen, no matter how small it may be,
clean the bore with a cleaning rod and patch as
described on pages 28-31 of this owner’s manual.

10 BE ALERT TO THE SIGNS OF AMMUNITION

MALFUNCTION. IF YOU DETECT AN OFF SOUND OR
LIGHT RECOIL WHEN A CARTRIDGE OR SHELL IS
FIRED, DO NOT LOAD ANOTHER CARTRIDGE OR
SHELL INTO THE CHAMBER.

If your firearm fails to fire, keep the muzzle pointed in
a safe direction for a minimum of 30 seconds. Rotate
the ejection area of the firearm away from you,
carefully open the action and remove the cartridge or
shell from the chamber. If the primer is indented, the
defective cartridge should be disposed of in a way that
cannot cause harm. If the primer is not indented, your
firearm should be examined by a qualified gunsmith
and the cause of the malfunction corrected before
further use. Glance down the barrel to make sure that

3

no obstructions remain in the barrel. Completely clear
the barrel before loading and firing again. Failure to
follow these instructions can cause extensive damage
to your firearm and possible serious injury to yourself
and others.

11 NEVER INSERT A SHELL OF THE INCORRECT

GAUGE INTO ANY FIREARM.

The gauge of your firearm is marked on the barrel.
Store all shells of different gauges in completely
separate and well-marked containers. Never store shells
of mixed gauges in a common container or in your
pockets. See pages 17-18 for more information on the
correct ammunition for your firearm.

12 EXAMINE EVERY SHELL YOU PUT IN YOUR FIREARM.

We assume no responsibility for the use of unsafe or
improper firearm and ammunition combinations or
damage or injury caused by damaged ammunition.
It is your responsibility to read and heed all warnings in
this owner’s manual and on ammunition boxes.
See pages 17-18 for more information on the correct
ammunition for your firearm.

13 USE ONLY SAAMI APPROVED AMMUNITION.

The barrel and action of this firearm have been made
with substantial safety margins beyond the pressures
developed by established American commercial loads.
Nevertheless, we can assume no liability for incidents
which occur through the use of shells of nonstandard

dimensions or which develop pressures in excess of
commercially available ammunition which has been
loaded in accordance with standards established by the
Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’
Institute (SAAMI).

14 MAKE SURE OF ADEQUATE VENTILATION IN THE AREA

THAT YOU DISCHARGE A FIREARM. LEAD EXPOSURE
CAN OCCUR FROM DISCHARGING FIREARMS IN
POORLY VENTILATED AREAS, CLEANING FIREARMS
OR HANDLING AMMUNITION.

Lead is a substance that has been known to cause birth
defects, reproductive harm and other serious injury.
Wash hands thoroughly after exposure to ammunition
or after cleaning a firearm.

15 DO NOT SNAP THE FIRING PIN ON AN EMPTY

CHAMBER; THE CHAMBER MAY NOT BE EMPTY!

Treat every firearm with the respect due a loaded
firearm, even though you are certain the firearm
is unloaded.

16 KEEP YOUR FINGERS AWAY FROM THE TRIGGER

WHILE LOADING AND UNLOADING UNTIL
SHOOTING IS IMMINENT.

17 BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET AND BACKSTOP,

PARTICULARLY DURING LOW LIGHT PERIODS.

Know the range of your ammunition. Never shoot at
water or hard objects.

4

18 ALWAYS UNLOAD YOUR FIREARM’S CHAMBER

BEFORE CROSSING A FENCE, CLIMBING A
TREE, JUMPING A DITCH OR NEGOTIATING
OTHER OBSTACLES.

Never place your firearm on or against a fence, tree,
car or other similar object.

19 BE DEFENSIVE AND ON GUARD AGAINST UNSAFE

GUN HANDLING AROUND YOU AND OTHERS.

Don’t be timid when it comes to firearm safety. If you
observe other shooters violating any of these safety
precautions, politely suggest safer handling practices.

20 BE CERTAIN YOUR FIREARM IS UNLOADED

BEFORE CLEANING.

Because so many firearm accidents occur when a
firearm is being cleaned, special and extreme care
should be taken to be sure your firearm is unloaded
before disassembly, cleaning and reassembly.

Keep ammunition away from the cleaning location.

Never test the mechanical function of any firearm
with live ammunition.

21 TEACH AND SUPERVISE FIREARMS SAFETY TO ALL

MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY, ESPECIALLY TO
CHILDREN AND NON-SHOOTERS.

Closely supervise newcomers to the shooting sports.
Encourage enrollment in hunting and shooting
safety courses.

22 NEVER DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES OR

TAKE ANY TYPE OF DRUGS BEFORE OR
DURING SHOOTING.

Your vision, motor skills and judgment could be
dangerously impaired, making your gun handling
unsafe to you and to others.

23 READ AND HEED ALL WARNINGS IN THIS

OWNER’S MANUAL, ON AMMUNITION BOXES
AND WITH ALL ACCESSORIES THAT YOU INSTALL
ON YOUR FIREARM.

It is your responsibility to secure the most up-to-date
information on the safe handling procedures of your
Winchester firearm. We assume no liability for
incidents which occur when unsafe or improper
firearm accessories or ammunition combinations
are used.

24 PRACTICE PERIODIC MAINTENANCE, AVOID

UNAUTHORIZED SERVICING.

Your firearm is a mechanical device which will not
last forever, and as such, is subject to wear and
requires periodic inspection, adjustment and service.
Winchester firearms should be serviced by a
Winchester Repeating Arms Authorized Repair
Center or by our Service Facility in Arnold, Missouri.
We assume no responsibility for injuries suffered or
caused by unauthorized servicing, alterations or
modifications of Winchester firearms.

5

FIGURE 1

Buttstock

“Safety”/Selector Switch

Top Lever

Ventilated Rib

Mid-Bead Sight
(Special Models)

Front Sight

Action/Receiver

Trigger Guard

Recoil Pad

Trigger

25 WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE ON

FIREARMS THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED, ADDED TO
OR SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED.

Removal of metal from the barrel, or modifications
of the firing mechanism and/or operating parts, may
lead to a refusal of service on such firearms. We will
charge you for parts and labor to return the firearm to
original specifications.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, ALTER

THE TRIGGER, “SAFETY” OR OTHER PARTS OF THE
FIRING MECHANISM OF THIS OR ANY OTHER
FIREARM. FAILURE TO OBEY THIS WARNING
MAY RESULT IN INJURY OR DEATH TO YOURSELF
OR OTHERS.

BE CAREFUL!

Barrels

Forearm

Muzzles

general DeScription anD operation

Balance. Pointability. Reliability. Handling. These are
qualities you expect in an over and under, and they’re
what you’ll get with your Model 101. It’s superbly
designed, combining the traditions of American hunting
guns and European competition guns. These shotguns
provide a lively feel, with dimensions designed to allow
you to quickly move to your target. The low-profile
receiver with dual, between-the-barrel lockup is the
foundation, and combined with ideal stock dimensions,
put you on target consistently.

The Model 101 is an over and under shotgun made to fire
two successive shots by pulling the trigger twice, once for
each shot. Each time the action is opened after firing the
hammers are cocked automatically and empty shells (one
or two) are ejected clear of the chamber(s) automatically.

6

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 3

Locking Pins

Forearm Release
Latch Lug

Ventilated Rib

Side Rib

Forearm Release Latch

Unfired shells are elevated in the chambers. The action is
opened with a lever mounted on the top of the receiver
just forward of the “safety”/selector. The shotgun breaks
down into three pieces for cleaning or storage (Figure 2).

Prior to using live ammunition, familiarize yourself
thoroughly with all the operating instructions in this
owner’s manual. Get accustomed to the feel of your new
firearm. Know the forces required to operate the action.
Understand how to select the firing order of the barrels.
Learn how to pull the trigger correctly, and above all,
know the location and operation of the “safety”/selector.
Procedures for disassembly and operation of various
components are outlined in the following sections. Please
read and study them thoroughly.

FIGURE 4

7

Trunnion Surface

Firing Pins

Trunnion

Cocking Lever

Locking Pin Recesses

Ejectors/Extractors

Locking Lug

(Continued on page 10.)

FIGURE 5

Shot gun feature S

Stocks are profiled for an ideal fit, fast
handling and reduced felt recoil on the face.
Special models feature an adjustable comb
for a personalized fit.

The top-tang “safety”/selector offers
excellent convenience with gloved fingers.

Target models feature a
trigger that adjusts for
length of pull (pages 23-24).

The dual locking pins are made to stay tight under years
of heavy use. The locking pins are larger and sturdier than
the competition’s shotguns and optimize the strength of the
action while allowing an overall lower profile of the receiver
than found on some other over and under shotguns.

The compact, low-profile receiver features
an ideal combination of action strength
and balance. The receiver is quick and
lively, not too small and not too bulky.
When empty shells are ejected, they leave
the chambers at virtually the same time,
flying side-by-side through the air. This is
a sign of a well-timed mechanism.

Deluxe recoil pad provides
maximum comfort.

8

Barrels are back-bored for improved pattern performance. Back­boring means that the barrels are made with a slightly larger inner
bore diameter than traditional dimensions. This results in less
resistance to the shot column as it moves down the bore and less
deformation of pellets as they move through the forcing cone. There
is also a slight decrease in perceived recoil.

The durable rib design is available in both
field and sporting widths.

The barrels and forearm remove
for easy cleaning and storage.

All Model 101 and Select shotguns are fitted with the
proven Invector-Plus

™

choke tube system. These longer
tubes have special tapers for optimum patterning and are
specially designed for back-bored barrels. This allows you
to easily change choke constrictions to meet the demands
of the game or target.

9