Winchester Model 50
Winchester Repeating Arms Company · Shotgun · Discontinued · 1954
Also known as: Winchester Model 50, Model 50
Overview
The Winchester Model 50 is an American semi-automatic shotgun chambered in 12 gauge (and later 20 gauge), produced by the Winchester Repeating Arms Company from 1954 to 1962. Designed by David Marshall Williams from patents originated by Jonathan E. Browning, it employs an unusual short-recoil action built around a floating chamber: the barrel remains completely static while a separate chamber and forcing cone move rearward about 0.25 cm on firing, cycling the bolt. This non-recoiling-barrel design gave the gun smooth, low-felt-recoil operation. Built almost entirely of milled steel with an American black walnut stock, it was offered in Field, Featherweight, Skeet, and Trap grades with 26, 28, and 30 inch barrels.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3742 g (132.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1219 mm (47.99") |
| Barrel Length | 711 mm (27.99") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 2 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Tubular |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 2560 J (1888 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 40 m (44 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 12 Gauge · primary — also known as 12GA, 12 Bore
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Tubular Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Cross Bolt Safety
- Features: Floating Chamber, Static Barrel, Interchangeable Barrels, Milled Steel Construction
Variants
- Winchester Model 50 Featherweight - Lightweight
- Winchester Model 50 Skeet - Competition
- Winchester Model 50 Trap - Competition
Service history
Operators
- Civilian sport and hunting market · adopted 1954
Production
Estimated total produced: 196,402 · Production years: 1954-1962
Approximately 196,402 guns produced before discontinuation in December 1961; final assembly into 1962.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: David Marshall Williams
Discontinued: 1962
Notes
Unusual among recoil-operated shotguns in that the barrel does not move; a floating chamber patented by David Marshall Williams provides the recoil energy to cycle the action. Replaced by the gas-operated Winchester Model 59.
Background
The Model 50's floating-chamber action descended from a principle David Marshall 'Carbine' Williams also applied to .22 rimfire trainers, allowing a heavy 12-gauge load to cycle a fixed barrel with notably soft recoil.