S&W Model 12

[ranger7]

I reload 38 Spc. to supply my daughter with practice ammo for her Taurus snubby. She doesn't live real close, so it isn't very convenient to borrow her revolver to experiment with different loads. It would be convenient if I had a 38 Spc. of my own for this purpose, plinking and a possible backup for CCW (i.e ankle carry.)

My friendly neighborhood gun dealer has an S&W mod 12 Airweight w/ 2in barrel for sale on consignment for $220. It's in excellent condition and since it's been there a while, I believe I can offer $200 and it will be accepted. It's "pre-agreement" and I realize it isn't +P rated. (I'm not much of a wheelgun person but I recommended revolvers to both my wife and daughter and they seem to be excellent choices for them.) Are there any major problems with this model? Your opinions on this will be appreciated.

Alan

 

[gumshoe4]

Sounds like you've got it mostly figured out already. The Airweights are very fine carry revolvers and will last and last if you take care of them and don't abuse them. Keep them clean, as you would with any other defense sidearm. I recommend standard pressure .38 ammo, RNL or LSWC for practice and Winchester Silvertip 95 grain HP (note:NOT the +P load, the standard pressure) or the Nyclad HP (if you can still find some) for defense loads.

You'll feel somewhat more recoil with the Airweights, because they have less mass to offset recoil, but you offset that tendency by shooting the non +P ammo.

I think you'll like the M12. I had an Airweight J-frame, but I really like the K-frame snubs because of the leaf mainspring. They're easier to shoot and to hang onto and with the 2" barrel, they're more difficult to take away from you.

I'd go out and get it. $200 sounds like a good deal if the gun is in good shape.

Bob
TFL# 8032

 

[Jim K]

The Model 12 is simply the alloy frame version of the Model 10, the famous Military and Police Model. They were made only in 2 and 4 inch barrels. They are good guns, especially for six shot carry, but, as you say, not for +P loads.

To be honest, for a general shooter, I prefer a 4 or 5 inch barrel, as the 2 inch is harder to hit with, but that is a matter of preference and intended use.

IMO, $200 would be a fair price if the gun is as described and has 90% finish. Actually, $220 would be OK if the gun is in the 95% range.

Jim

 

[bpisler]

The model 12's are decent revolvers but it can be tought finding replacement grips be cause the frame is slightly narrower except for the grip area,this was changed on the 12-4.The sights on mine(4") was set for regular 158gr loads,it shot 4-5" low at 35' with winchester usa 130gr fmj's sp expect to file dowm the front sight a little.

 

[Mark IV Series 80]

The sights on mine(4") was set for regular 158gr loads,it shot 4-5" low at 35' with winchester usa 130gr fmj's sp expect to file dowm the front sight a little.

I think that all of the S&W fixed-sight .38 Special revolvers are sighted-in for the 158 grain loads.
I shoot mostly 158 gr. RNL's and SWC's, and I hold higher for the lighter, faster rounds.

 

[Tamara]

I order plain ol' Remington full-wadcutter target ammo for shooting in my 2" Model 12. It should keep it happy & healthy & un-stretched for a long time.

 

[Mike Irwin]

I'd snap it up at that price.

Last one I saw for sale in Northern Virginia was well over $300.

 

[Jim March]

Definately do "the checkout" on any aluminum-frame wheelgun, esp. an early one like the 12, or Colt Agent. Doesn't take a lot of +P to warp the frame.

It's the floating thread, this forum.

 

[Kahr carrier]

Model 12 for $200 jump on it the last gun show I saw a Nickel one and it was priced at $350 firm.

 

[Ala Dan]

A S&W round-butt model 12 with the 2" barrel is my
partners favorite off duty revolver. He has been
carrying a copy of a very early production run for year's.
As a matter of fact, he qualify's with this weapon twice
a year; and has experienced 0 problems with it.

*FootNote- $200 buck's would be a steal of a deal!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[chaim]

Oooh. I want the M12. K-frame, aluminum alloy snub. I'd love one but I don't see very many around here and they seem to command premium prices. If that one is in good shape at $220 I'd snap it up. If you can get $200 then even better. However, I'm not sure I'd be willing to risk losing it if it is in good shape and the dealer wasn't authorized by the gun's owner to negotiate and had to get back with the owner to approve the price. That $220 sounds like a pretty good price on its own and $20 isn't worth losing out on a great bargain on a great gun.

 

[Tamara]

If anyone finds a "post-agreement" Model 12, they should buy it. Immediately.


(They were discontinued in 1986... )

 

[Mike Irwin]

"Are we still boycotting S&W? I thought the new American ownership and failure to adhere to the "agreement" had made everyone happy, no?"

Since when is ignoring something a proactive stance?

Is someone who is ignoring the cancerous tumor in his liver curing his disease?

S&W's current owners BOUGHT the agreement from the previous owners.

The simple fact that they're ignoring the dormant agreement doesn't give them a proactive defense against the next anti-gun Congress or President.

The boycott is, unfortunately, dormant right now because far too many people aren't smart enough to realize that in this case "American Owned" is NOT the same thing as "Pro Second Amendment/Firearms Rights."

We just found out that the chump from the Violence Policy Center apparently owns a handgun.

Does that fact alone make him one of our friends?

Should we, because he's an American and owns a gun, immediately dismiss the fact that he works for VPC and give him a pass?

Sad.

 

[Tamara]

Y'all know better than this.

Y'all want to talk about boycotts and politics, Legal & Political is right down the dang hall.

 

[Jim K]

Mike, I have a lot of respect for you and read everything you write, but you really have a "bee in your bonnet" on S&W. It is true that the "agreement" is not dead (it could be revived in another administration) but if we get a real anti-gun gang in power, I suspect that we won't be able to buy or own any handgun, so S&W will be the least of our worries.

Meantime, I am willing to help the new company provide us with quality guns. If they fail to do that, I will jump on them for that reason, not because of the infamous agreement.

I really do think you and others will not be satisfied with anything less than the complete failure of S&W, and Colt, and Ruger, and Winchester, and Remington, and a bunch of other companies that have somehow failed to "toe the line". You can flame me, but I can't see that it is in our interest to put every American gun company out of business.

Jim

 

[Tamara]

*sigh*

Lights out.