Spare barrel for model 12 Winchester?

[Carl]

If I took my model 12 to a gunsmith, would he be able to make (or most likely construct from spare parts) a barrel and loading tube for my shotgun? It's a take down model, and I was hoping that I'd be able to somehow get another barrel and such for it since it's a 30" bbl full choke and I'd rather have something a lot shorter if I was to make it a home defense shotgun. I'm not really knowledgable with what gunsmiths can do. Thanks in advance.

 

[JohnBT]

If you know a gunsmith who can install it, you might find what you're looking for at

www.corsonsbarrels.com/winchesterbarrels.htm

 

[Carl]

I'm thinking of changing it to a trench gun, with heat guard and bayonet lug. I found all the items online here.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/DisplayAd.asp?chrProductSKU=813820&chrSuperSKU=&MC=

But it says for takedown models (mine is takedown) I'll need a magazine plug and magazine plug screw. I'm also not sure if I can buy any 20" barrel for it, or if I'll have to buy a trench gun barrel (if there's even any difference.) I'm also assuming that there's no difference in the 97 model and the model 12 (except the 97 has the hammer, and that nothing else really is different.)

Any of you know what I should do?

 

[Carl]

Bump.

 

[rcmodel]

M97 & M12 barrels are completely different.

You can't really have a "spare barrel" for a model 12.

What you can have is a complete front section, including the forearm wood, mag tube, and everything else that comes off when you take it apart in the middle.

The M12 barrel has a headspace ring in the chamber that is fit & reamed specific to the barrel & receiver it goes on. In addition, the take-up adjustment sleeve has to be set to the receiver, and a few other things.

rcmodel

 

[Carl]

I decided I'm gonna take it to a gunsmith and ask him what I can do. If I had no respect for classic firearms, I'd just cut it to 20". Don't worry! I won't do that.

 

[BBBBill]

Just be sure you find one that really knows Model 12s. It is getting harder and harder to find someone who does. The earlier poster mentioned the headspace ring and sleeve. It takes specific knowledge and tooling to do it right. Do it wrong and you've got some expensive junk. Simmons Guns in Olathe, Kansas is well known for their Model 12 expertise. http://www.simmonsguns.com/ It would be worth the peace of mind to me to send it to them and know that it would be right when I got it back.

 

[simmonsguns]

Model 12

Thanks BBBBILL, think of it this way, these were made from 1912 to the 60's on non cnc equipment.
Bores were drilled and reamed from perfect to a bit off center and the chamber ring was reamed to the line of bore.
All things equal, it was a wonder these things worked as good as they did because of the tolerance differances, the parts were made to take up some of the slop built in from the factory, hand made and hand fit stood for something then.
In most cases everything can be made to work together from barrel assembly to barrel assembly, but some times they don't, and changing a chamber ring won't help because you will ruin the fit and headspace from the first barrel assembly.
On thoes rare ones, different barrel assemblies will fit and function fine on one receiver, all most never happens but there out there.
Two barrel sets are worth more but they cost more also, pick up a good one with a poly choke or a cutts comp on it, there prices are less but in my opinion a better usefull choke option and install it, see how it fits you might get lucky, if not let me know and we will talk about it.
I love model 12's(not the "y" models though). Paul Salchow.

 

[RonE]

M97 & M12 barrels are completely different.

You can't really have a "spare barrel" for a model 12.

What you can have is a complete front section, including the forearm wood, mag tube, and everything else that comes off when you take it apart in the middle.

The M12 barrel has a headspace ring in the chamber that is fit & reamed specific to the barrel & receiver it goes on. In addition, the take-up adjustment sleeve has to be set to the receiver, and a few other things.

rcmodel

Adding a barrel to a Model 12 is quite a bit of work...
Finding a factory gun with two barrels is the way to go, especially if you can find one where the second barrel is a skeet barrel. These are usually shorter too and might work well for home defense.

Simmons is very well know for their work on Modle 12 Winchesters, I have had them work on three of mine in the past and could not have been more pleased.

Mod 12's are not as universally desirable as they once were because they were not built with steel shot in mind and the trap and skeet guns should be getting old and pretty worn if they have been used in competiton. They are undoubtly great pump shotguns, but as pointed out earlier, somewhat finikey when it comes to adding non factory fitted barrels. I suggest sending yours to
Simmons for a vent rib and a re-blue and then find some original factory trap wood and using it to shoot trap or sporting clays. Get a cheap pawn shop Remington 870 and cut the barrel to 18 + " for a home defense gun.

 

[langenc]

Might have the smith evaluate for choke tubes. I did on an Ithaca 37 and he said NO. The bore was not in the center of the barrel. Dis get a whole new barrel assembly w/ tubes. Had to send it all in as it needed to be hand fit. Cost $225 as I recall about 5 -6 yrs ago. I gave it to my son for graduation. I told him I have first recall rights should he decide to get rid of it.

 

[simmonsguns]

In the past, i have installed NOS mossburg barrels on model 12's.
The threads are cut to winchester model 12's specs. chambered and fit to the receiver, it's costly but they are threaded for accu-choke.
I have no idea what it costs anymore i stay out of the pricing, the tapper is close enough that everything fits, the bushing stop is made and silver soldered.
By the time it's finished, no money has been saved but it is there if needed.
No wonder the only ones i have done are for employee's of simmons.