Help with a Model 12

[tedangus]

I have recently come into possession of a 1914 Winchester Model 12 twelve ga. As I understand, the gun most likely is chambered for 2 5/8". How can I confirm this (on the off chance that someone has modded it for 2 3/4" since)?

Also, how much does this matter anyways? I understand that all this shorter chamber would do is disallow the shell to un-crimp to as great a degree as normal, causing a pressure spike. But the chamber would only be 1/8" too short. Couldn't I just make my trap or pheasant load a little on the light side to compensate for this?

Thanks.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Light loads have many real advantages. However, compensating for a chamber that's too short for a given shell isn't one of them. Pressures can spike unpredictably and this gem is just under a century old.

Best thing is to get your fine shotgun to a real smith and have the chamber length measured properly. Then decide,if it is 2 5/8",etc, if it's worth re chambering or if you want to mess with special ammo.

Gamebore, Polywad,etc sell shells for 2 1/2, 2 5/8" etc. Ballistic Products sell them and components as well as loaders. MEC makes adapters to convert their single stage loaders to make shorter shells. That includes 10 through 28 gauge.

What's your mission? If your 12 is to be used for occasional sport like a few pheasant hunts each year, I'd be tempted to leave it alone and just make or buy ammo.

Or if you plan on making this your goto, then a decent smith can lengthen the chamber, recut the cone and polish all. Cost should be less than $100.

HTH....

 

[tedangus]

Well, I do want to make it a shooter, so the gunsmith option is more appealing to me.

Here's a question. I purchased this gun at a Scheels (a large chain). I understand that they shoot every gun they sell, and surely they would not be so stupid as to sell an unmarked nonstandard gun? Probably should just get in contact with their resident smith. Bet he'd know...

 

[Dave McCracken]

Talk to their smith. One thing, do not overestimate the expertise of gun shop employees other than smiths. Some real Dufi work in shops as well as cogniscienti.

 

[gunut]

12 gauge model 12s were all 2 3/4in from the start of production...the smaller gauges had shorter chambers until app. 1927...

 

[rcmodel]

+1

If it's a Model 12 in 12 guage, it has a 2 3/4" chamber.

Only Model 12's in 16 and 20 ga would have had a short chamber when your gun was made.

rc

 

[Red Label]

Have it measured but all my info shows the 12ga as always being 2 3/4". That said I've got a 16ga M12 with the short chamber. I just buy the 2 1/2" ammo for it. It's my favorite pheasant gun and thats about all it does! Other guns for other jobs