Which riot gun is the keeper: Model 12 or Model 97?

[bushmaster1313]

I know you can never have too many riot guns.
But which would you keep while selling or trading the other?

1957 Model 12 surplused by the Washington State Patrol
1937 Model 12 with no duty markings

I thought the Model 12 was one of my keepers till I got my hands on the Model 97.

 

[mnrivrat]

The model 12 is the better of the two.

 

[Fred Fuller]

If I had factory riot versions of both the 97 and the 12, I'd not let either one of them go except to trade up to a better example of the same model.

 

[aHFo3]

keep the both of them and start a riot gun colletion.

 

[Germster]

I own both guns.

Here's the deal. The recoil unlocks the bold/slide in both guns. So, if you are about to work the action of either gun, push forward on the slide before you pull it back. If you've alread fired a shot the recoil does this for you. Don't ask the gun to do what it is not made to do. If you have not fired a shot and you want to work the action, push forward before you pull back.

I love the pencil thin feel of the 97. The machine work is amazing and would be impossible to do today. I think the 97 is a bit slower than the 12. Lub the guns properly. Which is best? Probably the Model 12, but I'd not feel poorly armed with a 97.

 

[Dave McCracken]

TOUGH call....

Both are among the very best fighting shotguns ever made. Both have achieved Cult status and for good reason.

No pump has a better/smoother cycle than the 12. Few equal it.

The 97 has that Industrial Revolution esthetic going for it, and a long history of reliability.

Best I can offer is to shoot both, and keep the one that FEELS best....

 

[Lunie]

Yo must have something else you could part with instead, right?

(If not, you are more than welcome to send either one to me. )

 

[BADUNAME37]

If they were mine, I would probably keep them both, unless you absolutely have no money toward a new riot gun. I would sure hate to get rid of either, they are both classics in their own way!

 

[bushmaster1313]

I love the pencil thin feel of the 97.

I like this too.
Don't have a Model 94, but the Model 97 reminds me of it.

Just voted the 97 because they are harder to come by in good condition

 

[gunut]

i voted 4 the 97 also...because I have 5 Winchester Riot guns 4 model 12s including a WW2era 16ga factory riot....also a model 25 ....but no 97....