[dak0ta]

Seller description:

Winchester Model 12 12 gauge 2 3/4 inch chamber Full choke. Made in 1955. Bore is bright and shiny, and as you can tell by the slide wear on the magazine tube, it has not been used much. The barrel matches the receiver. The stock has a few scratches and nicks, but I'm sure it could be refinished without too much effort. The finish has come off the butt where a slip on Pachmayr pad was, it will be included. No cracks, splits or chips.
$300 shipped.

Good deal? Seems fair for the condition. It's worth more to me cause the quality of the gun is worth more than its price and finding these in good condition are hard in my area. I bought it :P

I could refinish the stock and have a good working gun. Bluing seems pretty good.

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/6-5x55iswonderful/Winchester%201895/DSC00319.jpg
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/6-5x55iswonderful/Winchester%201895/DSC00318.jpg
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/6-5x55iswonderful/Winchester%201895/DSC00320.jpg
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/6-5x55iswonderful/Winchester%201895/DSC00325.jpg
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/6-5x55iswonderful/Winchester%201895/DSC00323.jpg
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/6-5x55iswonderful/Winchester%201895/DSC00322.jpg
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/6-5x55iswonderful/Winchester%201895/DSC00321.jpg
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/6-5x55iswonderful/Winchester%201895/DSC00324.jpg
http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g414/6-5x55iswonderful/Winchester%201895/DSC00328.jpg

[single stack]

That's a good looking Model 12 for a low price.

It should clean up fairly easily.
A member here named Milkmaster refurbished an old
Remington that came out great. Take a look at that thread
for advice and inspiration.

Being full choke it will serve you well on the trap field
or bird hunting.

Good for you!

[stan rose]

Good gun, good price, enjoy. I like Model 12s, but I love Ithaca 37s, so don't stop searching for one of them also.

[dak0ta]

I'm getting a 1948 ithaca 37 on Friday :) $250!

What is the traditional finish Winchester used on the stocks?

[Tom Held]

A very fair price. From the condition of the receiver I would say the gun is completely original and never reblued. Wood is in good shape and would be easy to refinish. You did well.

[chas08]

Good price! Buy It!

[dak0ta]

Do you guys think that these shotguns need to be stripped down to the bare parts to be cleaned and lubed up or is just cleaning the bore and oiling the action good enough?

[Snag]

Glad you bought it. Nice gun.

[stan rose]

It all depends on condition and number of rounds put through it. If you get it and the action seems filthy you may want to tear it down and clean it, once thoroughly cleaned it should be good for a few thousand rounds with oiling and barrel scrubbing. My fear with Model 12s is the repeated dis-assembly causing the fit of receiver to barrel to become loose and there are not infinite adjustments, (I think its 21 or 25) for tightening the fit. I would recommend a take down guide before you start, it is not as simple as an 870, it is not horrible either, I just like having a reference. Don't forget to post pictures of that Ithaca when you get it.

[stan rose]

As for refinishing the stock, Galazan makes a pre-64 Winchester refinish kit that I believe can be ordered through Midway, or Brownells.

[Milkmaster]

I will give your money back and a bonus for it just seeing your pictures. I would love to spend some time with that model 12 specimen!

[dak0ta]

So do you not recommend taking the barrel down every time I shoot it to be cleaned? Or clean from the breech without take-down?

[stan rose]

On my Model 12s, which do not get a lot of rounds through them, I usually use bore-snakes repeatedly until the barrel is clean, and spray some Baristol in the receiver. This is the method for about a thousand rounds or so then I'll tear it down and do a total scrubbing. I have friends who tear theirs completely down every time they shoot. It's all what you feel comfortable with, and my methods are not in high regard with a lot of Model 12ers I know, but they have worked for me.

[eastbank]

when i bought this 1960 winchester model 12 in 12ga the stocks showed a lot of finish wear to them but the metal blueing was very good. so i stripped the left over finish off and gave it 10-12 coats of BLO. and i think it looks 100 percent better after i refinished wood. i never take it apart,when i want to realy cleal it i take the butt stock off and remover the trigger guard assembly and spray with a good gunk remover,dry and lightly oil the insides. eastbank.

[dak0ta]

I'm going to refinish the stock with BLO/alkanet root. Some of you may have seen my redone rifle stock in the rifle section.


http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx226/knightofcydonia87/Firearms/BSA%20CF2/DSCN4617.jpg
http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx226/knightofcydonia87/Firearms/BSA%20CF2/DSCN4618.jpg

[eastbank]

very nice work and i,m sure the model 12 will be too, post pic,s when done. eastbank.

[Liberty1776]

dak0tah - remember. As it's a Model 12, the harder you use it, the more you're just smoothing it up for your grandson...:D

[dak0ta]

True words! I've been working on my Mossberg 500 so far :P I wonder how the Ithaca and M12 will get along :P They'll snicker at the M500 most likely haha

[stan rose]

That rifle stock looks very nice. Make sure to post pictures of the M12 when you are finished.

[snooperman]

Do the same to the 12 and it will look great. Nice gun, you did fine . I also have an old model 12 like that but the older I get I prefer the lighter Ithaca 37. Enjoy , as you seem to have a knack of finding good shotgun buys.

[loose noose]

I had the opportunity, a few months ago to work on a 1931 Mod.12. to make a long story short, I ended up buying it. I did a complete restoration on the arm and it came out looking allmost like new. Note I only paid $150.00 for it. However, the bluing came out allmost a dark purple, but still looks really good. I'll have to have Mama show me how to put a picture on this contraption, and I'll show ya all.

[CSA 357]

i have 3 great shot guns, bought one last week and cut it down to 18 1/2 inchs it sure looks mean!

[dak0ta]

I realized that I prefer older guns that are hand made. I sold off all the newer guns I had. I prefer machined steel and wood stocks with oil finishes. Plus they're usually less expensive than new production guns.

[stan rose]

I have to agree with you, most of my firearms are older than me with wood and blued steel.

[snooperman]

Yes, the older walnut stock-blued guns have much workmanship and care of a "job well done" with some pride in the finished product, which is missing in many of the newer guns. I will take a used older gun any day over the new guns . They have a lot of shooting life in them. You have made some fine choices and they should serve you well. My 2 cents ,,,Snoop

[dak0ta]

Just a question, should I baby this M12 and not shoot it a lot unlike my Mossberg? Will it wear out if I shoot tons of rounds through it? And hunt with it? Same goes for the Ithaca 37.

[snooperman]

I have several Ithacas and one model 12 and have been shooting them for over 50 years and have not worn one out. They will last several life times if taken care of, and judging by the ones you have picked that I have seen , I would not hesitate in the least to shoot them often. They are fine guns and should last. Enjoy them. My 2 cents... Snoop

[dak0ta]

Yeah I figure they were built to last pretty much forever if taken care off.

Really excited to get these 2 legendary shotguns and revive em for a lifetime of shooting! :)

[stan rose]

I shoot Ithaca 37s, one in particular, almost every time I shoot a shot gun, my second favorite is the Model 12. There is no real reason for my preference of the Ithacas, just my quirks. I would not hesitate to shoot either of them often, that is what good guns are for, and if you ever have any problems parts are still available for both.

[dak0ta]

My M12 arrived today. She is a beauty for her age. Blueing is pretty good, stocks are not bad at all. It seems like the slip on recoil pad was the culprit for the flaking of the finish.

Gun functions fine, locks up tight. Not used to pushing the pump forward after firing, but I guess when the gun recoils, it will unlock automatically.

One thing that surprised me is how light the gun is. It's all steel and it probably should weigh more than my Mossberg 500 Field, but it is so well balanced it feels 'featherlight'.

Another thing I like is that all the moving parts make a *ping* sound. The safety makes a ping when pushed, sliding the action pings etc. It resonates.

However, my Mossberg feels faster because it is loosely built, but the Winchester is creamy smooth, but not necessarily 'faster'. Perhaps she needs some grease and oil and I'll see about that.

What should I do to make sure it is safe to shoot, oil certain areas, check for wear areas etc. before I shoot some trap with it?

Lastly, why are there so few threads in the Shotgun forum, they all seem to disappear.

[Old Guy]

Keeping the trigger pulled on a Win. Mod 12? Does it not fire each time you cycle the action?

I know my old Mod 37 did, selling the Ithaca 37 was a big mistake.

Loved the way you could reload in the dark.

[Dave McCracken]

At the bottom of the threads page, Dakota, you can control how old the threads showing are.

A good friend has put 230,000 practice rounds through his Model 12. it was made in 1935.

As with all older shotguns, a checkover by a qualified smith is a very good idea.

Enjoy....

[Badlander]

Nice to see A model 12 that was not ruined with A cutts comp!

[Old Guy]

Made in 1935? Me too, Oct 27-1935.