S&W Model 12

The 12 is a fine revolver. But there are other K frames that could probably serve your needs. You might consider a 19

There are plenty of model 10 snubs out there. Probably be cheaper on your wallet to

That would be a nice find.

I’m attracted to the 12 b/c it’s aluminum. Just wonder why Smith hasn’t made any again.

Click to expand...

Probably because there's not enough of a market for an aluminum frame Model 12 and it's probably way less expensive to make something like the M&P Shield which is more what people want nowadays (I read somewhere that S&W recently shipped out their 3,000,000 Shield, all in just 7 years time!).

I have a 12-2 flat latch snub. Shoots POA with Federal AE 130 gr FMJ and thats what I generally carry in it. Great defensive platform, but surprisingly larger than a J-frame for just one more shot.

Ive always been under the impression the Model 12's didnt hold up well to regular use. Didnt the Air Force issue them for a while and then stop?

I wouldnt mind having one, but as much as I tend to shoot things (Im a "shooting" accumulator, not a collector), Id be worried Id wear it out.

I think AK103 is right. They are collectible precisely because so few were made. Because of a structural issue.

It's a great weapon for the person that carries much, but shoots little.

Anchorite said:

Got one. Another poster suggested a 10. Meh. I’m attracted to the 12 b/c it’s aluminum. Just wonder why Smith hasn’t made any again.

Click to expand...

It couldn't pass airforce use and most of them were destroyed. It was a failure in it's intended purpose. Guns that don't make their mark are thrown away as designs

cheygriz said:

It's a great weapon for the person that carries much, but shoots little.

Click to expand...

Where's the fun in that?

The Evangelist Cowboy said:

It couldn't pass airforce use and most of them were destroyed. It was a failure in it's intended purpose. Guns that don't make their mark are thrown away as designs

Click to expand...

Not quite. The gun you are referencing is the "Aircrewman" series, made by S&W (K-frame) and Colt (OP frame?), that featured aluminum cylinders in the B-36 era. These were generally found lacking, withdrawn from service, and almost all destroyed. Over 99% of the Model 12's on the market have a steel cylinder, and are essentially a scaled-up Model 37. They have a theoretical tendency for frame cracking in the crane opening immediately under the barrel, but it's still open to discussion if such cracking is an artifact of barrel installation or actual overshooting. Some Model 12's will develop at crack within the first box of cartridges, while others will withstand a 1000 +P loads just fine. Mine has a significant number of rounds downrange and has no issues.

Dframe said:

The 12 is a fine revolver. But there are other K frames that could probably serve your needs. You might consider a 19

Click to expand...

The biggest, if not the only, reason to consider carrying a Model 12 concealed instead of any other K-frame S&W revolver (like the many Model 10 variants or the Model 19 and its ilk), is its much lighter weight. Reason enough for me to have a Model 12 on my person when carrying it in my pocket or in a iwb holster. Even better, imo, is the original Colt Cobra/Agent revolvers having a six-shot .38 Special capacity and weighing the same and almost as compact as a Smith & Wesson aluminum alloy J-frame revolver.

I paid $450 for a pretty good M12 a few years ago, and yes, they really are good revolvers. OTOH, maybe the best option in that configuration would be a model 64 snubbie. Stainless keeps it from having the same finish wear. I mention this because the black finish on the M12 frame comes off very easily. A blued finish is actually durable by comparison. The light weight alloy makes carry a breeze, though...at least for a 6 shot revolver.

I can easily carry a 4” taper barrel Model 10, and not have to worry about frame cracking. I already have a Model 38 Airweight that I rarely shoot due to their well known (not “theoretical”) frame cracking issue.

I have had 3 model 12 revolvers and no cracking so far. The first one I have had for about 25 years and have shot is quite a bit without any problems. I think the mess the Air Force made with ordering an aluminum cylinder gave the model 12 a bad reputation it did not deserve. Remember, S&W also made 3 different versions of the smaller, weaker, J-frame revolver with aluminum frames, the 37, 38 and 42 and no one is complaining about them.
I liked the model 12 as an overly large snub nose as it was much easier to shoot than my model 38 Bodyguard. The 12 came with a square butt grip frame and with a pair of HOGUE grips, it is much more pleasant to shoot than the small gripped J-frames.
I used this as my walking gun during the Florida winter, when I went for a walk at night. It concealed fine under my jacket. Now, I also shoot a 4 inch (skinny barrel) model 12.
The one caveat, is that the model 12 will wear faster if you use +P loads. The alloy framed guns were usually NOT RECOMMENDED FOR +P, as some of the new production guns are.
I use the 130 grain Air Force load or wadcutters for practice and carry HORNADY 110 grain standard pressure FTX loads in my model 12. I used to carry the old FEDERAL Nyclad 125 grain standard pressure "CHIEF'S SPECIAL" load, but it is long gone now.

A model 10 will give you a heavier gun that will hold up to +P ammo, but for just a little more weight, I can carry my RUGER Security Six loaded with .357 Magnum ammo, so why carry a model 10?

Jim

golden said:

The one caveat, is that the model 12 will wear faster if you use +P loads.

Click to expand...

All revolvers will "wear faster" when using +P loads as compared to using "conventional" ammunition; the main difference with the Model 12 being, like most aluminum alloy framed guns, is that it will be greater and faster negatively affected than most steel framed guns are, everything else being equal.

The Colt Agent is another option.

The model 12 is a great carry gun as long as it’s not a cracked frame. I have 4 of them; three 12-2s made in the 1970s that are great. And a 12-3 made in 1984 that is LNIB and yup, a cracked frame.