Winchester Model 59 questions

00scoots

Did all of these shotguns have the ability to accept the Versalite choke tube system, or just some of them?

Would a barrel from a Model 50 interchange with the receiver of the Model 59? If it does, then can I assume that the Model 50 barrel can be threaded for modern choke tubes?

Thanks for your expertise!

bobski

there are differences in the M50 and M59. they are:

the M59 and versilite bbl was made of fiberglass and has a larger OD than a M50 bbl. to accomodate the larger bbl, the M59 forearm has a larger bbl channel in it. simply put, a M50 and a M59 forearm assy's and bbl OD's are not the same.
a M59 bbl will NOT fit on a M50, because the M50 forearm is too small and it can NOT accept a M59 bbl's larger OD.

now, because a M50's bbl OD is smaller, it WILL fit on a M59.

M50 bbls can be choked. i have one that is.

Fairlane66

I own both Model 50s and 59s. Not all Model 59 shotguns came with the screw-in Versalite choke system. In fact, most were produced with a fixed choke. Mine have fixed choke Improved Cylinder and Modified barrels. Most Model 59s you see on the market have the fixed choke barrels, but there are several Versalite models up for on-line sale/auction right now. However, if you buy one, the gun will generally only come with one tube. Seems most owners have misplaced any spare chokes since they bought em in the early 60's and replacements (if you can find em nowadays) are pretty pricey.

I'm not sure because I've never tried it, but a Model 50 barrel may fit in a Model 59 receiver. However, the Model 59 barrel is larger in diameter (due to the fiberglass wrapping) than the Model 50's. Therefore, even if you could fit the Model 50 barrel to a Model 59 receiver, you'd have one heck of a gap between the barrel and the forearm when everything was locked in place.

Again, I can't give you definitive information on modifying a Model 50 barrel for modern screw-in choke tubes, but I have seen a M-50 barrel so modified right here on GunBroker. If it were me, I'd just look for a Model 59 Versalite barrel for sale. I've seen them pop up now and again. They aren't cheap, but you'd have a factory stock barrel for your gun and you wouldn't have to bubba up a perfectly good Model 50 tube to make it work.

One last thought. The beauty of a Model 59 is its light weight, albeit the gun is a bit butt-heavy. However, I can carry mine all day and not tucker out. If you want a Model 59 for its featherweight qualities, you'd be defeating the purpose by cobbling on a Model 50 barrel. If you want a lighter weight Model 50 with screw-in chokes, why not go for a Featherweight model (one with an "A" suffix on the serial number)? The featherweight has an all-steel barrel and an aluminum receiver, and is therefore nominally lighter than a plain-Jane Model 50. From my observations, Featherweight Model 50s seem to be less expensive than their all-steel counterparts, probably because the aluminum receivers are more susceptible to cracking than the steel ones.

Hope I've answered some of your questions.

bobski

and if i may add, the fiberglass bbl isnt one you want to go and shoot a lot. its more of a collectible thing and they have a habit of falling apart with heavy use with mag loads. i wouldnt shoot a 59 bbl unless it was 1oz or less myself.

DIESEL TECH

The Model 59 barrel extension is not threaded, the bolt threads into the plug in the end of the magazine. The Model 50 barrel extension is threaded to accept the bolt. You can install a Model 50 barrel on a 59 receiver but you have to extend the threads on the bolt so the bolt will fit flush with the end of the forearm.

I have both and tried it.

00scoots

Thanks for all the info.

I'll be looking at a couple of 59's and 50's this weekend. Widow has them for sale (along with 6 trap model 1100's and a Win Model 12) and I'm getting first crack at checking them out. She doesn't know if the 59's have Versalite choke tubes or not.

I knew that the 50 and 59 actions are very similar, but I didn't know that the WinLite barrel was larger in diameter. Makes sense with 500 miles of fiberglass wrapped around the core.

I've read up on the cracked receivers of the 59 and 50 Featherweight. Dove & quail loads are all that will be fed thru these if I buy any or all of them.

Sure would be a score if any of them were Pigeon Grades!!! [:p]

Fairlane66

The Model 50 was the only one made in Pigeon Grade. I've seen a few sell on GunBroker and elsewhere....they go for a pretty penny. Good luck and let us know what you find.

bobski

59 was made in pigeon grade too. very rare.
if anyone finds a pigeon 12ga m50, let me know!