NIB S&W Model 12???

[TOADMAN]

Saw an unfired Model 12 today at a local pawn shop.. Was clean as a hound's tooth.. 2 inch barrel round butt.. Not cheap - shop owner was asking $530... From what I understand, the model 12 had serious design flaws IE, frame/cylinder cracking after a few standard pressure rounds fired due to the lightweight aluminum alloy design... Any other comments about the Model 12 will be greatly appreciated...

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

$530? Ouch! It had better be literally new (i.e., not even a "turn line" on the cylinder) for that price, and even then I would try and talk him down. I see these from time to time, usually for much less, but they're not new, of course. I usually either have no money at the time or want something else more.

I am not aware of and see no reason why they should have frame or especially cylinder cracking problems. I am certain the cylinder is not aluminum, just the frame. Smith was making small aluminum frame revolvers well before the Model 12 came out. My impression is that they were just discontinued due to low sales.

 

[Will5A1]

That is over priced, even for NIB. I wouldn't run a bunch of +p+ ammo through a 12 but it is sturdy enough to stand a steady diet of standard pressure ammo. There were some Airweight M&P's (pre-12's) produced with alloy cylinders, these should not be fired. The old "carry a lot, shoot a little" line I think best applies to the Model 12. You may want to wait for a nice used 12 with some finish wear at a more reasonable price and leave this one for a collector.

 

[TOADMAN]

Thanks for the feedback... I would much rather find a nice Model 10 or Model 36 with 3" barrel.. There is a gun show here in Virginia Beach this weekend. Will definitely check it out and at least buy some ammo...

 

[bannockburn]

I think the frame/cylinder cracking stories came from the original Aircrewman revolvers that the Air Force had tried in the early 50's. The Air Force contracted with both Colt and S&W for a short barreled, six shot revolver that utilized aluminum alloy for both the frame and the cylinder. The Colt version weighed only 11 ounces and 1189 were produced for the initial run. But they found that the guns could not handle some of the more powerful .38 rounds tested, and almost all of the guns were destroyed. Anyways, this is not the case with the Model 12, and it can handle probably any .38 you could find, although steady usage of +P or +P+ loads would speed up wear and tear on the gun. And yes, $530 seems too high for this particular model.

 

[Ala Dan]

Design flaw? I don't know 'bout that, but it is an Airweight model so the
constant firing of +P's would not be a good idea; I wouldn't think. Flame
cutting of the top strap would be a major concern, after firing a bunch of
+P ammo.

 

[ThomasT]

Model 12

I just bought one of these from Gunbroker and paid $340.00 total. I haven't shot it yet but i do like the light weight. The cylinder measures a tenth of an inch larger than my taurus 85.

I think the cracking problem was just what the others wrote and was limited to the aluminum cylinders. I've read that you send an aluminum gun to S&W for repairs it will come back with a steel cylinder installed.

Ed lovette wrote highly of them in his book "The Snubby Revolver", thats why i bought mine.