1919 Winchester model 12

.22LR-1995 · Dec 31, 2018

I recently purchased a Winchester model 1912 .12 gauge shotgun from a man for $20, it was a gun kept in a shed sadly. But it had a low brass shell hung in the chamber because it was not oiled, I sprayed aerokroil in the action (respectively the best lubricant I’ve found) and the action ejected the shell with no issue at all, I proceeded to find the year of the gun and it is a 1919. I am curious if this firearm should be made a “safe queen” or if it should be shot and used like my 70s model Remington 870. I know it’s essintally a piece of history now cause it’ll be 100 years old at midnight, but it’s a “pre 1964 firearm” and those are the best made, I just want some input from those who may know more than myself. Thanks and happy new year y’all!!

MEHavey · Dec 31, 2018

As long as the receiver/chamber/barrel haven't got a case
of terminal corrosion, for gosh sakes -- shoot it (lead shot)
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/winchester-model-12-safe-to-shoot.815308/

I will outlast you, your kids, and grandkids . . .

.22LR-1995 · Dec 31, 2018

Not at all, I completely disassembled the internals of the gun and cleaned them to the point of a Q-tip and a fine tip pick to try and remove any trash built up within. Other than being ugly which I call character it’s sound as a dollar

Fine Figure of a Man · Dec 31, 2018

You have one of the finest pump guns ever made, use it.

Old Shooter · Jan 1, 2019

That is an interesting find, a model 12 for $20 in any shape at all. Congratulations! Could you post a picture of it?

kudu · Jan 1, 2019

If the internal chamber and barrel are sound and not too corroded, shoot it.

Armored farmer · Jan 1, 2019

I like to use 100+psi air compressor for trigger group. No need to completely disassemble. Overnight oil soak then blow it out.
Another JM Browning creation iirc.
Congrats

Ps. Just for the heck of it, the barrel doesn't say "2 1/2 inch chamber" does it?
I seem to think that some were.

Sovblocgunfan · Jan 1, 2019

Armored farmer said:
I like to use 100+psi air compressor for trigger group. No need to completely disassemble. Overnight oil soak then blow it out.
Another JM Browning creation iirc.
Congrats

Ps. Just for the heck of it, the barrel doesn't say "2 1/2 inch chamber" does it?
I seem to think that some were.

Not really Browning-designed, but good advice to check the chamber dimensions. My guess is this will be in 2 1/2”. Never fear, OP! You can buy shells for this gun.

FL-NC · Jan 1, 2019

Sounds really cool- how about some pics?

Crunchy Frog · Jan 1, 2019

Shoot it. The Model 12 is a superb shotgun.

Tom D · Jan 3, 2019

All 12 gage Model 12 shotguns were made with 2-3/4 inch chambers. It was the 16 and 20 gage models that that were originally made with 2-1/2 inch chambers, but the chambers for those were lengthened sometime in the mid to late 1920s.

The Happy Kaboomer · Jan 15, 2019

Armored farmer said:
I like to use 100+psi air compressor for trigger group. No need to completely disassemble. Overnight oil soak then blow it out.
Another JM Browning creation iirc.
Congrats

Ps. Just for the heck of it, the barrel doesn't say "2 1/2 inch chamber" does it?
I seem to think that some were.

Browning did not design the mdl 12..........Thomas Johnson of Winchester did.........After Browning and Winchester parted ways. Browning designed the 1883 pump which evolved into the 1897. And Browning did design the Remington mdl 10 which evolved into The Ithaca mdl 37. Browning also designed the Remington mdl.31 pump.

Riomouse911 · Jan 15, 2019

My 16 ga M-12 (28” solid rib) is one that was hunted with for decades; turkey, dove, bobwhites, etc. The lack of bluing on the receiver and various dings in the stock were honestly earned by four generations of shooters, and it still shoulders, fires and shucks shells as well for me today as it did when it was newly purchased by my Great-Granddaddy Charlie.

Go out and shoot it, go hunt with it, enjoy it! It’ll be the best $20.00 bill you’ve ever spent :thumbup:

...

Stay safe!

DDDWho · Jan 16, 2019

My Uncle gave me this 16 ga. while he was still living some 40+ years ago, a gesture of unconditional love IMO. He hunted with it and I hunted with it for a lot of those years. It is my most cherished possession, to me it's priceless.

Armored farmer · Jan 16, 2019

The Happy Kaboomer said:
Browning did not design the mdl 12..........Thomas Johnson of Winchester did.........After Browning and Winchester parted ways. Browning designed the 1883 pump which evolved into the 1897. And Browning did design the Remington mdl 10 which evolved into The Ithaca mdl 37. Browning also designed the Remington mdl.31 pump.

Yes it was the 37 Ithaca that I was thinking of
Well done...touche'

.22LR-1995 · Jan 23, 2019

Old Shooter said:
That is an interesting find, a model 12 for $20 in any shape at all. Congratulations! Could you post a picture of it?

For sure, I’ll try to figure that out hahah!

.22LR-1995 · Jan 23, 2019

Armored farmer said:
I like to use 100+psi air compressor for trigger group. No need to completely disassemble. Overnight oil soak then blow it out.
Another JM Browning creation iirc.
Congrats

Ps. Just for the heck of it, the barrel doesn't say "2 1/2 inch chamber" does it?
I seem to think that some were.

It is for a fact a 2&3/4 gun, I prefer that size mag I also have an 870 wingmaster from the late 60/early 70s with the same mag

.22LR-1995 · Jan 23, 2019

.22LR-1995 said:
I recently purchased a Winchester model 1912 .12 gauge shotgun from a man for $20, it was a gun kept in a shed sadly. But it had a low brass shell hung in the chamber because it was not oiled, I sprayed aerokroil in the action (respectively the best lubricant I’ve found) and the action ejected the shell with no issue at all, I proceeded to find the year of the gun and it is a 1919. I am curious if this firearm should be made a “safe queen” or if it should be shot and used like my 70s model Remington 870. I know it’s essintally a piece of history now cause it’ll be 100 years old at midnight, but it’s a “pre 1964 firearm” and those are the best made, I just want some input from those who may know more than myself. Thanks and happy new year y’all!!

That’s a beautiful shotgun

.22LR-1995 · Jan 23, 2019

.22LR-1995 said:
I recently purchased a Winchester model 1912 .12 gauge shotgun from a man for $20, it was a gun kept in a shed sadly. But it had a low brass shell hung in the chamber because it was not oiled, I sprayed aerokroil in the action (respectively the best lubricant I’ve found) and the action ejected the shell with no issue at all, I proceeded to find the year of the gun and it is a 1919. I am curious if this firearm should be made a “safe queen” or if it should be shot and used like my 70s model Remington 870. I know it’s essintally a piece of history now cause it’ll be 100 years old at midnight, but it’s a “pre 1964 firearm” and those are the best made, I just want some input from those who may know more than myself. Thanks and happy new year y’all!!

That’s a beautiful shotgun

.22LR-1995 · Jan 23, 2019

.22LR-1995 said:
I recently purchased a Winchester model 1912 .12 gauge shotgun from a man for $20, it was a gun kept in a shed sadly. But it had a low brass shell hung in the chamber because it was not oiled, I sprayed aerokroil in the action (respectively the best lubricant I’ve found) and the action ejected the shell with no issue at all, I proceeded to find the year of the gun and it is a 1919. I am curious if this firearm should be made a “safe queen” or if it should be shot and used like my 70s model Remington 870. I know it’s essintally a piece of history now cause it’ll be 100 years old at midnight, but it’s a “pre 1964 firearm” and those are the best made, I just want some input from those who may know more than myself. Thanks and happy new year y’all!!

1919 Winchester model 12

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