Winchester SX3 Flanigan

So who is Pat Flanigan and why is his particular XS3 so special? Well simply put, back in 2005 using this gun with a high capacity magazine he could throw 11 clays in the air and shatter them all before any hit the ground. His best time was an amazing 1.442 seconds. Now you too have the chance to own this record breaking gun; well a copy of it anyway. However, you will not have this pleasure until 2009, as I have here Browning’s display model. But the gun will come with all the extras; Winchester’s familiar bright red travelling cases, a full set of extended ‘Signature’ multi-chokes, stock shims and a whole host of accessories.

Same but Different  

Technically, apart from the soft-touch, black, synthetic stock and forend plus the bright red anodised receiver, valve ring and pale grey 28” barrel finish, underneath the Flanigan is supposedly the exact same as any other SX3. That said, as soon as you pick it up this Winchester feels different, a tactile sensation of purpose and usability communicating between gun and hands. Somewhere along the lines Winchester has given this SX3 a tune up and whilst they insist nothings changed apart from the visuals, the Flanigan is just more responsive.

Assembly is exactly the same as any other SX3, as are its 3” chamber and the rest of the controls. Action-wise, the single claw bolt is brought into battery with the same release located directly below the ejection port whilst the bolt itself remains locked back once the final round has been discharged. Even the 6lbs 7oz trigger pull is more or less exactly as you’d expect.

Shot Show

In standard form the Flanigan comes with the usual, Section 2, two-shot (+1) magazine. However, if you fancy emulating the man after whom this SX3 is named and you have the paperwork for a Section 1 on your FAC; an 11-shot, extension magazine tube is available. All you then have to do is be able to throw eleven clays into the air with one hand then shoot them all individually before they hit the deck. As to whether you can emulate Patrick Flanigan’s 2005 World Record or not is immaterial, what you do get as part of the package is a semi-auto that is capable of discharging a maximum of twelve rounds in 1.442 seconds. 

This translates into a gun that sets itself up for second or third targets at a rate you’ll struggle to keep up with. Loaded up with three rounds of Express World Cup’s it became a pleasure to break a bird then shatter two of the resultant fragments, the 6mm vented rib and hi – viz bead floating into place.

Surprisingly, I found the Flanigan not to my liking as a Skeet gun, as for me the pattern placement is too high. However, shot over some of Coniston’s sporting layouts along with two other mid week straw balers; it was safe to say this particular X3 more than confirmed its abilities.

70/30 Slit

The more or less 70/30% pattern split allows the shooter to keep the target in full view, the general handling characteristic and 7lbs 8oz weight maintaining a smooth, flowing movement even on diametrically opposed birds. My other advice when shooting this SX3 would be to only mount the gun at the last moment, the overall dynamics providing the user with the facility to rotate arms, body and muzzles onto their intended target at the same time the hands, soft rubber butt and shoulder connect!

If you ever wanted to try or perfect the ‘move, mount, shoot’ technique, the Flanigan is the gun. Whichever discipline you shoot all you have to do is get used to the short stock, drops at comb and heel of 1¾” and 2” combined with a 14¼” length of pull typifying this and all SX3’s. These seemingly condensed measurements in turn tend to give the overwhelming feel of your nose being on the receiver instead of behind it. But keep the gun moving you’ll be surprised how natural the whole Flanigan shooting experience feels.

Red or Dead  

There’s no point whatsoever to saying the SX3 Flanigan doesn’t attract comment, as soon as you take it out of its slip the questions start. Once you’ve recorded your second 94% + score you’ll find the questions persist but they’re of a different nature; like when and where can a Flanigan be sourced and for how much? Probably not to everyone’s taste, but if you’re looking for a pure clay breaking semi you’ll go a long way to find something more distinctive, efficient or entertaining to use than Winchester’s new Flanigan.

Though not my scene, I was talking to Pete Moore about this gun and he said that the speed of cycle of the SX3 in general could well appeal to the Practical Shotgunner. With the 11-shot mag extension on board, it could be serious competition to the tricked up Remy 1100s and 11-87 that appear to dominate this discipline and at better money too; we shall see…

Regrettably the Flanigan you see here had to go back to make its next public appearance at the Midland Game Fair, otherwise I’d have been sorely tempted to make a bid. What I will say is that once UK supplies come on line, an example of this red racer will definitely find its way into my collection. 

We Reckon!

• On looks alone the SX3 Flanigan is a winner
• An inspirational clay breaker in every sense
• A racing Winchester for less than a grand

PRICE: £890