Winchester model 12 question

[Throwingdown]

When you rack it and shoot it, do you have to release the pump back by the trigger or should the pump come back after each shot automatically?

 

[Geneseo1911]

The bolt of any pump action shotgun should be released when the hammer falls.

 

[Tom D]

Are you dry firing the shotgun?

When you fire a real shell in the gun, the recoil will release the safety mechanism so that you will then be able to cycle the action bar w/o the need to use the acton slide lock button at the rear of the trigger guard.

 

[Tom D]

Let me clarify something. If you dry fire the gun, you should be able to disingage the safety mechanism by moving forward slightly the action slide handle and then move it sharply backwards to cycle the action.

 

[Steve C]

Tom D described the slide release action correctly. When shooting and under recoil you are normally holding the slide and it moves forward that slight bit to unlock the mechanism as the gun recoils rearward.

It is possible when shooting to fail in unlocking the slide if you are not grasping it (ex. resting it on your palm like a target rifle) or you shoot one handed without holding the slide with the non trigger hand. In which case you would have to give it a forward push before pulling it to the rear.

The slide release by the trigger guard is to open the action to eject a live shell without firing a chambered round.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

Are there other pump shotguns that work like this? Is the BPS this way?

 

[Throwingdown]

Tom D - thanks. I purchased a Model 12 in excellent condition. I had always wanted one, and a local dealer had a deal too good to pass up. My experience with the model 12 is none.
After bringing it home, I tossed some snap cap shells in and noticed the locking of the bolt with a round chambered.
As you described, you either need to push slightly foreward on the pump mechanism to unlock the bolt or use the release.
I was worried there was something not right. Glad to know its fine.