Howdy!

I've been looking at these old semi-autos and was wondering if anyone knows much about their history. I think that the 50 was first followed by an alloy receiver 50 and then the 59 with an alloy receiver and fiberglas/steel barrel. Am I correct that the 50 and 59 are virtually the same shotgun, with the only differences as noted above?

I know that they were recoil operated vs. gas. Is this an advantage or is felt recoil significantly higher in these guns. I guess I'd like to know why we don't see any recoil operated semi auto shotguns today.

I really like their sleek looks and would like some of your opinions about them.

Thanks so much!

:cool:

Mr. James Gates is probably our resident historian, re: Winchester shotguns. If he doesn't pipe up in a few days, might send him a message.

I have no experience with the 59, although I believe it is just a lightweight 50. For what it's worth, I heard that the 59's fiberglass barrel was just too light and "whippy" for good pointing and swinging. However, I did own a Model 50 for a while and liked it. It is a short recoil operated gun and differs from the long recoil type in that it had a floating type chamber that cycled at the shot versus the entire barrel cycling like a Browning A-5 or a Remington 11-48. It worked well enough, but always struck me as somewhat of an odd duck. As for the kick, it lacked the double slam of the long recoil guns which some find disconcerting (that second jolt when the barrel goes back into battery), but provided none of the recoil reduction of the gas operated guns. It only chambered 2 3/4" shells, so wasn't at all bad in the kick department. Frankly, unless you find a really nice one at a good price, I think you'd be better off with a gas gun. Hope this helps you.

I've used a 59. They are, indeed, rather muzzle light, because of that fiberglass wrapped barrel. I suspect it'd be a lousy duck gun, but, it works pretty well in the grouse cover.
BTW, the 59's I've seen had choke tubes (factory)- no idea if the tubes were compatible with anything available today.
I have seen alloy receiver 50's and 59's develop a crack at the rear of the ejection port- I believe the bolt handle hits there. Something to watch out for.....

Thanks guys!

I just like their looks! I saw a Model 50 plain barrel with a full choke and not great wood or metal at a gun show this past weekend. Fellow wanted $450 for it, I think that's overpriced for these.

Are these tough to clean? Do they have to be disassembled and is that a difficult thing to do?

Thanks again!

There several model 50s and some 59s you might want to check out at auctionarms.com and gunbroker.com. Gunsamerica.com also may have some.

just a point of history for you,we still install ribs on these,it will stiffen them up,we also held a pattent for the 3 inch chamber conversion on the 50,in 10 years i have done 1.back in the day it was 2 or 3 a week.there is a fix for the receiver cracking,you can stop the path of the crack by drilling a hole at the furthest part of the crack,it will give the receiver some spring there.when the action spring starts to compress is when the bolt handle hits the receiver.

Thank you "simmonsguns"!

I picked up a really nice Model 50 in the last couple of weeks, got it off of GunBroker.com. It's got 28" vent ribbed (doesn't say Simmons on it, though), with a full choke.

I think I'll have it threaded for either WinChokes or Invector + and have the barrel reblued and maybe have the receiver nickel plated with some tasteful engraving. The wood is really special, it looks like either it was upgraded or this was a trap model--though there is no "trap" designation on it--as it's a monte carlo butt stock with a very nice metal grip cap. The forearm has a crack, but it's repairable and has excellent checkering.

Anyway, thanks y'all!