December 31, 2025
The Winchester Model 1911: The Shotgun They Called the Widowmaker
Photo:The Winchester Model 1911, a rare early semi auto shotgun whose unusual barrel charging system earned it the infamous nickname Widowmaker.
Some firearms earn nicknames because they are powerful.
Others earn them because they are dangerous.
The Winchester Model 1911 falls squarely into the second category.
Fun Fact: The Model 1911 earned the nickname Widowmaker because some shooters accidentally fired it while trying to chamber a round the wrong way.
At first glance, the Winchester Model 1911 looks like a normal early semi auto shotgun. But its strange design choices quickly turned it into one of the most infamous shotguns ever made.
Why Winchester Built It
In the early 1900s, John Moses Browning held key patents on semi automatic shotgun designs. Winchester wanted a competing shotgun but could not legally copy Browning's work.
So they designed something different. Very different.
The result was a shotgun without a charging handle.
The Fatal Design Flaw
To chamber a round on the Model 1911, the shooter had to push the barrel back toward the receiver. The idea was simple on paper, but dangerous in practice.
Many shooters braced the buttstock against the ground and pushed down on the barrel with their hand or chest. If their hand slipped, the muzzle could point straight at them.
Accidental discharges happened. Injuries followed. The nickname Widowmaker stuck.
More Problems Followed
The Model 1911 also had a fragile stock, harsh recoil, and a reputation for cracking at the wrist. Combined with its awkward operation, shooters quickly lost confidence in it.
Production ended after about a decade, and Winchester quietly moved on.
A Lesson in Firearms History
Today, the Winchester Model 1911 is a cautionary tale. It shows what happens when legal workarounds override practical safety. It is remembered not for innovation, but for what not to do.
Some guns become legends because they succeed.
Others become legends because they fail spectacularly.
Until next time, stay locked and loaded.
- Randy, Locked N Loaded
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