Winchester Model 12 opinions?

[Big_E]

I have seen quite a few Winchester Model 12's on the used racks in my area. Anyone that has/had one, how do you like them? The only shotguns I have are a Remington 11-48 and a Mossberg 535.

I like the takedown feature of the Model 12, I kind of want one in 20 ga. since every other shotgun I have is 12ga.

 

[gunnie]

very slick, fast action. if 2 3/4" chambering, shorter stroke than an 870. and of course, a "slam-fire" action, almost useless for hunting scatterguns. IMO, the 870 comes apart much easier.

still, MY favorite 12GA pump.

gunnie

 

[XxWINxX94]

Very solid gun thats been around for a while. Version used in WWII.

I have one in 12ga with 2 3/4 chamber.
Would rather have it then one of these $10000 jobs.

 

[bushmaster1313]

There is a very solid feel to a Model 12 and it is a piece of American History you can hold.

But the full choked and some of the lesser chokes are not made for steel shot.

IMHO a Model 12 is as perfect an artifact ever crafted by the hand of Man, and they can be had for under $300.

 

[stratosrider62]

Only one of, if not, the finest pump shotguns ever manufactured. IMHO none better!

 

[Big_E]

I would mainly use it for busting clays. When I first picked one up and worked the action I was like, "Wow! That is smooth." You don't think these will become very rare do you?

If I were to get one and it wasn't made for the particular shell length I need and it wasn't a choke that I wanted, and I had a gunsmith do all the mods I wouldn't want to ruin something that may be worth a lot in a few decades. But then again, after handling it I don't think I would ever sell it. Oh, and I don't wanna break $350 on it from the used rack. So I figure if it's this old an not worth that much now, it won't get more valuable down the road.

 

[bushmaster1313]

A Model 12 is worth having simply because for $350 you can buy something that would cost $5000 to replace new.

You can enjoy the design and the workmanship without ever firing it.

I would, however, buy one that you liked and not put money into it.

 

[forindooruseonly]

There are plenty of used Model 12s around to where it is pretty easy to find what you are looking for.

It is my preferred pump, super smooth and excellent quality. Plain models can be found cheap, but if you start to get into skeet grade stuff, be prepared to shell out some cash for a skeet grade with a factory vent rib and all the trimmings.

If you do buy one, take care to not ding the receiver when putting it together after having it apart. If the slide isn't fully forward, the rod that connects the slide to the action can catch the receiver and nick it as the barrel portion twists on. Nothing like picking up a super clean 28 gauge skeet gun, worth thousands, and seeing a nasty ding where the owner habitually caught the edge.

 

[colgems]

i've had five of them in several gauges and models. still have one that i'll probably never part with. very high quality workmanship and IMO the best pump ever made. i would not make any changes to it. if it's not the choke/barrel length etc.. you want wait till you can find one. sounds like some of you can get em' cheaper than i can. down here if they're original and in good shape you're usually looking at $550 and up for the field grade. to my mind these are to pump shotguns what the model 70 is to bolt action rifles.

 

[Onmilo]

They break firing pins under heavy use and please, no dry firing.

One of the finest pump shotguns in its day, there are better options available currently that are lighter and even more reliable.

Overpriced nostalgia.

 

[chas08]

I own two and really enjoy them, a 12ga and 16ga. Good luck finding a 20ga for $350 or less that isn't a wreck. Around here they bring about twice that in decent shape and thats why I don't have one.

 

[tominct]

I bought a Model 12 for Christmas for my then-wife. 16 gauge, takedown, it had obviously been well used because that action was slick as greased glass.

Too bad she kept it after the divorce, I really liked that gun.

 

[JohnBT]

"even more reliable"

I grew up around Model 12s and my father bought a new 20 ga. in the '50s for his primary shotgun. How do you improve something that was perfectly reliable? I don't recall any of the Model 12 owners ever having a problem.

 

[JNewell]

I agree with all of the above, but make sure you buy one in good working order. Parts and labor are not cheap for these, and there are very, very few parts that are "drop in" replacements.

 

[winchester '97]

I have the model 12 trap with a adjustable butt plate and adjustable comb built into the original factory wood. Absolutely fantastic trap gun, too pretty to take into the field though. My dad has a short 24 inch barrel model with the adjustable twist choke and cutts compensator, awsome rabbit and bird gun.
I say go for it, you won't find anything with near the quality of a model 12 for the price anymore. Machined out of a solid lump of steel and hand fitted with american walnut stocks, the closest thing today in pump guns is the Ithica 37, and you could get 2 or 3 field grade model 12's for the cost of one of the Ithica's new.

 

[augustino]

Model 12

Some may be able to find an ample supply of Model 12's at or under the 350 proce point but here that's not the case. Around here, the availability is scarce and the price is high. And those you do come across may not be in ideal shape. But the Winchester Model 12 is a classic SG that's sure to become harder to find and more expensive to purchase.

If you're looking for a SG to USE you can get a lighter model for less than you would spend on a decent Model 12. And you don't have to think twice about taking it into the fied or knicking it here or there.

Best solution is buy the Model 12, fire it, clean it and put it up. Then buy a model 1300, just as smooth IMHO and far lighter! So easy to take to field and since these are not as rare as the classic Model 12's are, have a ball with it!!!

 

[jhco50]

I have a M12 Winchester in 20 ga. Mine was made in the 30s and is in excellent condition. These are top notch, old world craftsmenship guns. The are the best of the best and I am proud that I have one.

 

[JNewell]

I was recently looking at Model 12s in the New England area. I didn't find any under $500 that weren't either total beaters cosmetically and/or had mechanical problems. Moving up to the $500-600 range gets you into a different class of gun.

 

[kscharlie]

The very first gun I ever purchased was a 12 ga. Model 12. I was 13 years old and paid $40 for it. Not a spec of blue was on the gun, but it has a beautiful patina. I will never sell it. Since then, I have purchased a "beater" M12 with a ventilated Poly Choke on a 25" barrel. When I get frustrated by missing birds with one of my other shotguns, I get out "Butt Ugly". She seldom misses. I also have a gorgeous 16 ga. that someone added a Money Maker rib to. It shoots like a dream and is lighter than my 20 ga. 870. So a Model 12 is not necessarily "heavy". Back in the 70s, I bought a new "Y" model trap gun in 12 ga. I have shot thousands of rounds through it and never had one single hiccup of any kind. Believe it or not, I have even shot a few rounds of skeet with it, just to have a bit of fun. Boy, does it grind up targets at close skeet range. I also have several 870s, a Mossberg semi-auto and a Ruger Red Label. So I have experience with a few other shotguns, as well as the M12. IMHO, the Winchester Model 12 is the finest shotgun ever made. As a side note, the slam fire "feature" was removed from the Model 12 starting, IIRC, in 1954. Buy one or two and shoot them. I would never just put one away (unless it was NIB 28 ga. that cost me only a couple hundred bucks).