Takedown pump-action shotguns?

[Preacherman]

Hi, folks. I'm wanting a takedown pump-action shotgun for use while travelling (or, rather, for ease of transportation while travelling - I'll use it at the end of the journey! ).

I understand that the Winchester Model 12's are all takedown models: but I've never handled or used one. Are these good shotguns? Is the takedown and assembly reasonably easy? Are they reliable (using the "gold standard" of the Remington 870 as a comparison)? What sort of price would a good-condition Model 12 cost me?

Are there any alternatives to the Model 12? I already have a takedown Model 97, but that's too good a piece to bang around in suitcases or in the back of pickup trucks. Are there any other takedown pump-action shotguns I should consider?

Many thanks in advance for your input.

 

[mnrivrat]

For a cheaper alternative to a model 12 I would look at the Stevens model 520 and 620 shotguns. Their basic design came from none other than John Browning and in good condition they are a reliable gun.

The Model 12 is of course a classic and it still has a lot of fans. They are generaly "at least" twice the cost of the Stevens for a comparible example condition wise.

 

[ksnecktieman]

For us old geezers the model 12 is the pump by which all others are judged, and all come up lacking. In my experience a model 12 in good condition, if you hold it upright (barrel pointed up) and push the slide release, the slide will fall to the rear and bounce when it hits. A pump does not get any smoother than that

The 870 is a close second, and usually new for half of the price of a used model 12. A plain, parkerized 870 from walmart was less the 250$ the last time I looked. And to take it down, just unscrew the magazine cap and remove the barrel.

 

[mondocomputerman]

The model 12 are takedown models? Are the other pumps harder to take down? I know the Model 12 is easy to take down, it's the only shotgun I have. Thank God for John Moses Browning.

 

[mnrivrat]

The Stevens model 520 and later model 620 are take down models and do so as easily as the model 12. They are not better guns than the model 12 but they are good guns at much less money.

Another take down pump that will likely come up is the Remingtons. Again they are good guns and they have their fans also. The price is up there on the Remingtons coming close to that of the Model 12 Winchester.
If you want the best take down pump I can't argue that the Winchester may be just that. If you want a kick around gun that is reliable and much cheaper than the 520/620 deserves a look.

 

[Lone Star]

Preacherman-

See my thread here on the Browning repro of the M12, to which Clemson made a very worthwhile contribution. Read his comments carefully. That take-down joint has always been a soft spot in the M12's design, although the guns hold up as well as they do because of superb steels and heat treatment used in their "traditional " manufacture.

By the way, Browning didn't invent the M12. It was done by a Winchester team headed by Thomas Johnson. By 1912, Browning and Winchester had had a business disagreement and parted ways. If memory serves, this is how Remington came to make their M11, the US version of the Browning Auto-5. Winchester execs must have kicked themselves for years over that one...

Winchester made a less costly gun called the M25 in the 1950's, which was based on the M12, but which lacked the take-down feature. It was short-lived, almost surely killed off by the new Remington M870 and the Ithaca M37.

Lone Star

 

[Brian Williams]

Rem Mod 10 is a nice take down designed by JMB hisself....

 

[Mannlicher]

Mossberg, Remington, Browning, heck, most pumps, are 'take down' in that the barrel just pops off. unscrew the retaining nut, and slip off the forearm, and barrel.

 

[mnrivrat]

Mannlicher

In a sense that is true , most modern shotguns have removable barrels.

A true takedown however makes for a more compact unit as the magazine tube also is removed with the barrel.
That differnece may be superficial , but it does define a takedown vs an exchangable barrel model.

 

[artech]

Marlin made some nice takedown pumps that separate right in front of the reciever. Think it was the Model 17 and Model 43, there might be others.

I have a Model 43 set up with a big dot front sight, recoil pad, and 18 1/4 inch barrel, fits in a toolbox when broken down. Great truck gun! Since we are a CCW state, I made a custom toolbox/case for it and it rides around with me most of the time.

This one is 12 guage with cylinder bore from chopping the barrel down; it also will fire like the old Deerslayers; hold the trigger back and pump it. That is the only thing I don't like about this gun, it shoots like hell otherwise.

There must be other types like this, something more modern maybe?

 

[Poodleshooter]

I can just about do that with my Mossberg:
remove barrel,unscrew the magazine tube (mine's unsoldered) and pull through the slide assembly, then rack pump and slide assembly back. Presto, the longest assembly is the length of the stock and receiver + the length of the forend when the action is open.

 

[Jack R]

take down pump guns

Preacherman...nother vote for the Stevens 620...I have one that was made in the early 1940's (so I was told)..seems to be a well made piece(all machined steel,no plastic in that baby) interesting lock up,has a lug that raises up into a hole in the top of the reciever..plus as already pointed out JMB design...good shooter...........Jack

 

[BigG]

Preacherman, the Model 12 comes apart exactly as the Model 97. They didn't change a thing. They come down much shorter than the latter day pumps that leave the mag tube attached to the receiver. HTH