Winchester Model 21

About the Winchester Model 21

The Winchester Model 21 is a premium American side-by-side double-barrel shotgun introduced in 1931. A hammerless boxlock with automatic ejectors and (on most guns) a single selective inertia trigger, it is renowned for the exceptional strength of its forged chrome-molybdenum steel frame and chopper-lump barrels joined by a dovetail rather than soft solder. Offered in 12, 16, 20 and 28 gauge and .410 bore across Standard, Tournament, Trap, Skeet, Custom, Grand American and Pigeon grades, it became the prestige American 'best gun.'

John Olin settled the American-versus-British best-gun debate with torture tests using overpressure 'blue pill' proof loads: a Model 21 fired 2,000 proof rounds with no measurable damage while competing guns failed in as few as around 300 shots, and its forged chrome-moly frame and dovetailed chopper-lump barrels made it legendarily strong.

Winchester Model 21 specifications

Mass production ran 1931 to about 1959-1960; the Winchester Custom Shop continued small-batch production into the 1990s, and the design was later licensed to Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Co. Barrel lengths 26" to 32". Capacity is two shells, one per break-action barrel.