Comments on: The Winchester 101 Field – Initial Thoughts

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 15:42:16 +0000

In reply to Scott. It's a fantastic vest. I really like it. The 101 is a good one too. Best of luck. Ben

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 00:50:36 +0000

Hi Ben,

How much do you love that Wings Works vest? Love mine! The FN built WIN 101 is the next get on my list.

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 16:16:46 +0000

In reply to Gary.

Gary,

Really nice hearing from you. I don’t know much about the sporting light model, but I really like the field version. I’ve found that I can only shoot one gun at a time. I tried a sxs last year and just never could get the hang of it. I just shoot the 101 better. It’s held up to heavy use over the past 7 years or so. I’d imagine the sporting light model should be of the same quality. Best of luck and please let me know how you like it. Take care.

Ben

By: Gary

Gary — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 03:08:47 +0000

Hi Ben, considering a Winchester 101 Sporting Light 12Ga/28″ barrels. This is my first o/u. I’m 65 and just using it for pheasants. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated up here in Alberta Canada. Stay tough with this Covid Crap.
Regards
Gary

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 03:53:47 +0000

In reply to Dan Waud. Thanks for the kind words Dan and I'm glad that this post continues to help others. Best of luck and keep me updated on your turkey hunt. Take care. Ben

By: Dan Waud

Dan Waud — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 07:18:48 +0000

Just about to make the plunge to buy my first o/u. Your article has convinced me to shoot turkeys with a gun from Belgium. I have hunted with an SBE for years. Thanks for the continuing 5 year discussion. So much more useful and more real than the gun editor one and done.

By: Guy C

Guy C — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 00:53:44 +0000

Chris,
As you can see I also purchased the shotgun you are looking at and asking about. I would recommend it for the sporting clays. It is a competition gun. One thing you may want to look at is fit, I put a stretchable sleeve on the butt to get the right set. If you are looking at hunting, regardless of the gauge you prefer (I like a 20 too for smaller birds but a 12 for larger birds and small game) I would highly recommend the gun that Ben has. I believe that for field birds and walking down small game, there’s nothing like an o/u and the Winchester is both affordable and not so fragile you don’t want to take it out. Good luck. Ben, by the way, I worked the action with lube in the proper places and it does get easier, it just takes a while. Thanks.

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 02:50:37 +0000

In reply to Chris Penland.

No real new observations. The gun is seeing its fifth season. Its seen its fair bit of rough country for quail, grouse, and dove here in Arizona, and I use it for a sporting clays a couple times a year. Any of the bird hunting posts on my website will typically have a shot of the 101. I don’t baby it in the field, so theirs a few handling marks on the wood and the blueing is starting to wear where I carry it. The action is still solid and the gun always always gets leaned before going in the safe. I’m still very happy with my decision to buy it. It’s a really solid gun that fits me extremely well and subsequently, I shoot it fairly well. I don’t plan on ever selling this gun. I’d like to hand it down to one of my kids someday. Having said that, I’ve been thinking of picking up a lighter SXS or O/U in 20 gauge, if I can find something I like and that fits me well.
As far as patterning, I shot it at paper when I first bought it, but honestly can’t remember what it looked like. I shoot it with the improved and modified chokes and feel it shoots true. I’m not too sure about the differences between the Field and the Sporting. If the Field is anything like the Sporting, I’m confident it will serve you well. Feel free to let me know if I can answer any other questions and I hoped what I offered helped a bit. Keep me posted on what you decide. Thanks.

Ben

By: Chris Penland

Chris Penland — Mon, 24 Dec 2018 15:19:33 +0000

I’ve been researching these new Winchester 101s in 30” Ultimate Sporting that appears available exclusively at Bass Pro and came across your review and experiences with the Field model. After 5 years from your original post, how is yours holding up. Any new observations on how the gun is doing from field use? Are you still happy with the decision to buy it? I’ve gotten into mostly sporting clays, some skeet and some five stand. Every few years – a quail, chukkar and pheasant hunt, but I use a 20 gauge for that to minimize damage to the meat. With clay games, I need all the pellets I can use, lol. Your original reasons for buying the 101 are inline with my own. How does the gun pattern? I know the 30” barrels will more than likely perform differently, but I’m curious. I’m also trying to figure out what the differences are from the Field and Sporting – besides the 30” barrels.

Thanks,
Chris

By: azwanderings

azwanderings — Fri, 12 Oct 2018 03:30:04 +0000

In reply to Casey. Thanks Casey. It's a solid shotgun and one I look forward to handing down to my kids someday. Thanks for the kind words. Ben