Winchester Model 97 vs Winchester Model 12 Shotguns

[SwampWolf]

The other night, I was watching a Guns & Ammo television show where one of my favorite writers, Craig Boddington, was discussing some of the differences existing between the Winchester Model 97 and the Winchester Model 12 shotguns. The biggest difference, he argued, was that the Model 12 adopted a "disconnector", preventing it from "slam-firing" as the Model 97 was notorious for doing. Another example as to how "experts" can get it wrong sometimes, even on primetime tv!

As an aside, I rate these six shotguns as being the finest pumps ever made, in terms of design, material, workmanship, finish and handling qualities: Winchester Models 12 and 97; the Remington Model 31; the Ithaca Model 37; the Marlin Model 120 and the Browning BPS. What! No Remington Model 870 nor Mossberg Model 500 (and its many variants)? Rank heresy, I'm sure some will enjoin.

 

[Pivot Dr]

If he said that about comparing a 97 vs a Model 12 he knows nothing about either one of them.

 

[PapaG]

Neither has a disconnector. Both, along with the Ithaca 37 can be slam fired. Craig knows a lot but I think he writes a lot without thorough research. I'd love to have 10% of his hunting experience.

 

[Gordon]

The 870 is a whole lot better than a Marlin 120 , Ive had a couple of those I got cheap and not in same class IMHO . Otherwise I completely agree. I really am impressed by the Remington 31. I have 5 (left) one in 20,16 and 2 in 12 one of a slightly higher grade but with a big nasty Cutts compensator. One I gave to a guy who SBS ed it NFA a decade back and made it a 12 gauge "briefcase" gun . The other was a lightweight 20 I gave to a son. To me the 31 is the Rolls Royce of Pump shot guns, and the Model 12 is Cadillac .

 

[SwampWolf]

The 870 is a whole lot better than a Marlin 120

We'll have to respectfully disagree on this comparison. When people say the 870 is a great shotgun, I would never disagree. But my experience with the Marlin Model 120 (a virtual twin, appearance-wise, to the Winchester Model 12) was a very good one. All steel 3" Magnum receiver, blued finish and vent rib; my Model 120 (Trap style) had a walnut stock with real cut-checkering and a Monte Carlo comb with more figure than most shotguns had in its price range. It's one of more than a few firearms that I regret losing.

 

[nettlle]

A Model 12 can be slam fired. I know from personal experience.

 

[eastbank]

C.B. is as full of crap as a thanksgiving turkey about model 12,s, to me a tipacal rag writer. and 99 precent of thoses great hunts were-are free, just like good old NRA wayne.

 

[Roverguy]

I think the JMB designed Stevens 520/620 line would have to be among the greats, especially given the remarkable take down design.

 

[Gordon]

Well # 1 the Marlin 120 doesn't accept a shell directly into the chamber, that is a terrible tactical deficiency. Most 120 s have ugly pressed in checkering .Zero aftermarket upgrades on the Marlin 120 have ever been offered. The old High Standard pump was considered better when both were being made.

 

[SwampWolf]

Well # 1 the Marlin 120 doesn't accept a shell directly into the chamber

Mine did. Are we talking about the same gun?

Most 120 s have ugly pressed in checkering .

For a long time, all Remington 870s too had impressed checkering.

 

[Spanner Man]

Good morning.


Greetings from the UK.

I have a Model 12, an Ithaca 37 and a model 25 and they can all be slam fired. I got into trouble at my local skeet range once for slam firing my model 12 on the second bird, but pumps are generally frowned upon over here.


Cheers.

 

[SwampWolf]

To give Boddington his "due", while reading the May 2018 issue of Guns & Ammo magazine, I noticed in an article entitled "Winchester's 'Perfect Repeater' " that he authored, he offered the following insight: "...Like the '97, the Model 12 does not have a disconnect, so it will continue to fire so long as the trigger is depressed while pumping the action...". It seems as though Mr. Boddington should have stuck to the original script for his television show.