Neat Pre-64 Winchester, the Model 50 was a very interesting foot-note in Winchester’s history;

“David "Carbine" Williams evidently had a leading role in providing the basic design of the Model 50. Best known for his short-stroke piston on the WWII U.S. Cal. 30 Carbine and from which his nickname emanates, he also designed a floating chamber that increased the recoil for the Colt .22 LR caliber Service Model Ace pistol and a .22 LR Conversion Unit for the redoubtable Model 1911 .45 ACP pistol.

After a rather quick internet search to learn how to field strip the Model 50, I was intrigued by the interesting engineering solution David Williams devised. Compared to the long recoil system of Browning's Auto-5, which features both the barrel and bolt recoiling together, the Model 50 uses a floating chamber insert that incorporates a locking cut for the bolt's retractable lug. Locking is accomplished by a top-mounted lug.

On firing, the bolt and chamber insert remain locked together and move away from the fixed barrel. Then, the bolt tilts downward and the retractable top bolt separates from the hole in the chamber insert. The chamber insert is then free to return into place in the barrel with the help of a small, captive spring-loaded pin at its left rear that supplies the small amount of force necessary.

The bolt body itself tilts downward at its rear during recoil, via a pair of diagonal tracks machined onto the bolt that use machined pins on small arms on both sides to cam it out of battery. A machined steel, flat rod engages the recoil spring in the stock. The front of the rod is pinned to the bolt body and pivots downward slightly during its rearward travel. I surmise the bolt motion is used to increase the amount of time your shoulder feels recoil, which decreases the subjective slam.

The insert reseats into the barrel accurately by exterior shape using a bottlenecked cut similar to that of a rifle cartridge case. Some gas flows back onto the outside of the insert, but it would take many hundreds of rounds fired before cleaning becomes necessary to ensure proper function.

The barrel is attached via interrupted right-hand threads, similar to the Winchester Models 97 and 12 shotguns. However, the Model 50's magazine tube is limited in length to hold just 2 rounds. This means the M50 was originally designed strictly for hunting upland game or waterfowl.

A final interesting thing about the Model 50 is the location of the ejector. It is a fixed part that protrudes at three o'clock from the bolt's breech face on recoil, or when the action is manually opened. I have never seen any other repeating shotgun with this design and it may be there to ensure reliable ejection, given the very fast cycle time of the action.”

This one is in good shape with deluxe polychoke and Pachmayr pad, some high edge wear and scattered spots, but very nice overall.

Email me with any questions: kgbcustoms@gmail.com

REDUCED—— $350 Shipped

$375 Shipped