The Model 23 was announced in 1978 and became available in 1979. It replaced the Model 22 shotgun made for Winchester by Laurona in Spain. The Model 22 was a workhorse but had a hard time competing with cheaper imported shotguns. Winchester went to their Japanese partner, Kodensha, who was already making the Model 101 over/under to build the Model 23 as an upscale side-by-side. Pigeon grade was the only grade offered in the first two years but the gun became surprisingly popular which encouraged them to bring out variations. It retailed for US $1,150 which was hardly cheap in 1979 and still isn't today. By 1985 the price was up to US $1,500. High-end models ran up to US $4,000. It was initially offered in 12 and 20 gauge with leather hard cases. Later models had cloth-covered hard cases. The Classic was the cheapest version of the Model 23, with blued receiver and less engraving. There were also Light Duck, Heavy Duck, Golden Quail, Lightweight, Grand Canadian, Custom, and Ducks Unlimited versions. Some Golden Quail models had straight English-style stocks. Eventually the line included 12, 20, 28, and .410 gauges. Custom models were offered in two-gun matched serial number sets or two-barrel sets. These are highly collectible. In 1984 they began offering models with removable choke tubes. Rare models, especially in the smaller gauges in mint condition bring premium prices today. The Model 23 was popular despite the high price and developed a cult following in North America. Used models in good condition can sell for two or three times their original price. It's a pity they aren't still made. The Olin-Kodensha partnership had always been troubled. Japan in the 1960s was nothing like the Japan of today. They were broke. Kodensha's Nikko Firearms factory was old and crumbling with outdated machinery. Winchester built them a new factory next door with new machine tools from the US and assisted them with training. Kodensha continued to make Nikko firearms in the old factory. They renovated the old plant with the capital infusion and ran a dual-factory operation; one for Winchester, one for themselves. The shenanigans were legendary. There were rumors they were using parts from the new factory to build their own shotguns in the old factory. Winchester was only allowed two supervisors so all the Japanese had to do was wait until they went home and they could move parts and workers between the two plants as they liked. Despite an agreement that Nikko firearms not be sold in Winchester's marketing territory they continued to sell them in the US and Europe often changing the names to hide their activity. Winchester imported walnut blanks from France to be used on their guns. The Japanese high-graded the best pieces for their own guns leaving the Winchester side with the leftovers. This accounts for the oft-observed inconsistent grade of walnut used on the Model 101 and 23. By 1987 the Olin/Winchester people had enough. They ended the Olin-Kodensha partnership and sold their interest. The new venture, O-K Firearms, failed within a year. in 1988 Kodensha decided to get out of the firearms business and began making parts and machinery for the automotive business. Nikko continued as a much-reduced business under separate management. The partnership made some amazing high-quality shotguns including the Model 101 over/under, the Model 23 SxS, and the Parker Reproduction, probably the highest-quality mass-produced shotgun ever made. My own Model 23 has shot hundreds of round of trap and skeet and is still as tight as the day I bought it.

Just had a look at one ,first one I've seen ,seriously thinking about it ,Brill review, cheers

Winchester 6500 and 101 were fantastic guns..beautiful balance...hard to find now

I've got a Winchester Model 23 'Waterfowl', 28inch barrels, ejectors, winchokes. Points like an absolute laser and feels great in the hand. My go to duck gun here in Oz!

The strength of the Model 21 was legendary. As I recall, when they came out Winchester put proof loads through one and compared the durability with a Parker and an Ansley Fox. The Fox failed first and even the Parker failed somehow after something like 120 (?) rounds. They stopped at 2000 for the Winchester. Though I have to say that my own Parkers are still perfectly tight after 118 years and 100 years respectively. Neither has ever been repaired. I prefer to use a Fox in the field.

Beautiful side by side that you wouldnt mind taking out in the bad weather. Thanks for showing.

I think you did the Model 23 XTR pigeon grade a disservice when you called it cheap. They’re difinitely more expensive versions of the 23 but these were on the upper end of the scale in their offerings. Fantastic guns and were originally sold at price point why why below their value. As is the case in so many Winchesters they had to cheapen them up just to compete with their peers. The one you’re showing is before they had to make the change

I got a lovely 23, the timber has been rubbed down and oiled and its tight on the face. Beautiful gun, half and full choke. I use it for sporting clay's when i want a change from my Beretta, and be a bit old school at the gun club and always use it for game days. Would be worth around $4000 in the US.

I have one with 28” barrels that I had the chokes opened up on to LM and IM. Great gun.

It's a real shame these or something similar aren't being made any more - the sight picture on them is amazing. Probably the ultimate long range pigeon gun. They are still kind of being made in Turkey as the SKB 250 but they have no barrel selector.

Great video I have a Winchester super grade one of the best guns I own

As a deer hunter i don't like a side by side with a single trigger, i understand that bird shooter's like it . I'm from southeast Mexico and i use a side by side to hunt deer in a hammock at night time, and i like to choose which trigger to pull first, the second one optional as needed.

I have one of these the correct name is Winchester Model 23XTR Pigeon Grade

That was excellent. I'd love to see you do a video like that on the old Browning superposed! Based on the gun that you yourself own, I have a feeling that the superposed might be a gun you hold in high regard. And it certainly seems to be one of the best used gun values out there today. For what it is. For what you're getting.

Very Thorough Review! Well Done

Neat, would love to see you do a review of a Winchester model 21 as well.

Absolutely brilliant video for me, as I was looking for a sbs mainly for clay shooting and competitions. Over and unders just doesn`t do it for me, it`s just an emotional thing... For hunting, a sbs should have double triggers, english stock and of course 16 or 20 ga. But for clay shooting and competition, I think the Model 23 will be interesting. Got one on the way by mail now. Thanks, keep it up!

I want one and i love the beavertail forend, but are they steel proofed?

Why not do a series on the best guns in a price range? Best £3K all-rounder 12 gauge O/U. New & S/H. (game/pheasant & practice clays). And.... perhaps the best .243 package (or .308) for a similar price, around £3k. (gun/moderator/sights etc) As always, thanks guys :)

looks great.

You guys need a microphone for your videos. Good vids but that improved sound would be so great.

Have you done one on the Winchester 101?

Johnny, how about a comparison of a Winchester mod 23 vs Browning Bss. All of our threads here across the pond are totally divided. Plus i would love to see your call on these two stout possibly chubby SXS's. Thanks, and keep up the good work.

didnt bother to wash his hands, focus the camera or look up the details.... still enjoyed it

Gorgeous gun.

4:10 Reminds me of Smeagol when he speaks in the 3rd person

Hello, i have the Same Gun in 12 Gauge, and i love with this Side by Side Shotgun to shooting. Bad side is for me, the Hammer Springs is not more good and here in Germany not more to order or to get :-( I would wish a Special guy can me help.

Very good duck gun.

Lindíssima também tenho no meu cofre duas canos laterais uma simson e uma Gustav ambas feitas na Alemanha a Gustav e de 1955 era de meu avô ainda dispara bem e de canos 76 sem cães a simson canos 71

Good presentation.

"It lacks a bit of class, it is quite American." Yes, sounds like us.

What are side by side shotguns used for? I see every pro shooting with an o/u

greit video beatiful shotgun tums upp

I've always liked the side by sides better

Could you do a review on the Fabarm L4s?

Hola vuenas tardes cuanto cuestan los tuvos de una es copeta winchester modelo 101 mepueden ayudar a con segurlos porfavor

Why not double triger, so good gun.

Bună ziua da armă bok cu țevi justapuse nu aveți cal 12 şi cît costă?

Mine has 3*-1* chokes 71cm barrel

สวยดีครับ ราคาเท่าใหร่

Magnifique

Just bought one. XTR. Appears to be unfired.

Do you know if these guns can fire steel shot?

Do you still have the gun in your shop? I'm in Dorset and may well be interested in it.

2x4

How much is this gun

can we hunt a wild boar with this gun?? a beauty though

How much price in India this gun pls..

Had one, bought it for $500 sold it for $1800. But I couldn't hit the side of a barn with it. The barrels were not straight and missed every dove I shot at. Then I grabbed my kids Mossberg mod 500 and started downing birds.

es una lastima que relata todo en I}NGLES y no entiendo NADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA tendrian que relatar en castellano ya que estamos en SUDAMERICA Y NOSOTROS TAMBIEN SOMOS AMERICANOS MIERDAA