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PRE-WW2 WINCHESTER MDL 12

My son-in-law just inherited an old Winchester Model 12. He is not in to guns, so I can foresee it becoming a not unwelcome gift to me.

It's in good condition though the stock will need replacement- the heel had been badly grawed by rats.

I doubt if a 'smith aside from giving it a thorough examination can really tell me if it can handle current standard gameloads. Though I already have a Remington 870, I would like to use the M12 for trap and upland birds.

Since Winchester has ceased operation, where can I possibly bring it to determine if its metallurgy is up to snuff?

Take it to your nearest competent local smith, he should be able to inspect it for you.

R,
Bullseye

Most smiths that work on shotguns will know how to check a M 12, there are lots of them out there and were/are great guns. Also there are still some trap shooters who like and do very well with them. Good luck and enjoy your M 12. Bill

Lots of trap has been shot with the old 12's, that was the trap gun of choice pretty much in the 50's and 60's. Kicked the snot out of you but broke a lot of straights. Should have no problem with 1-11/8 trap load, jus put one in the pipe and 6 in the tub, pull the trigger and hold it and keep on shucking. Sounds like a full auto.

bearandoldman wrote:Lots of trap has been shot with the old 12's, that was the trap gun of choice pretty much in the 50's and 60's. Kicked the snot out of you but broke a lot of straights. Should have no problem with 1-11/8 trap load, jus put one in the pipe and 6 in the tub, pull the trigger and hold it and keep on shucking. Sounds like a full auto.

Boy and Howdy! Learned to shoot trap with a '12. It was the first gun Dad "bought for me". Put a LOT of rounds through that puppy, and had the bruises to prove it. This would have been between '63 and '67.

Downeaster wrote:

bearandoldman wrote:Lots of trap has been shot with the old 12's, that was the trap gun of choice pretty much in the 50's and 60's. Kicked the snot out of you but broke a lot of straights. Should have no problem with 1-11/8 trap load, jus put one in the pipe and 6 in the tub, pull the trigger and hold it and keep on shucking. Sounds like a full auto.

Boy and Howdy! Learned to shoot trap with a '12. It was the first gun Dad "bought for me". Put a LOT of rounds through that puppy, and had the b
ruises to prove it. This would have been between '63 and '67.

Those were the Modetl 12 days, hard hitting gun from either end.

My parents gave me a Model 12 for Christmas when I was 12. That was 59 years ago. I have never wanted another pump. That said, I think I'll get an Remington 870 with a 3" chamber, and a choke...which brings up the first poster's question. Though the gun will accept 6 shells, it has likely been plugged to use only three. Since it was designed for 3 1/2" shells, perhaps, the ejection/loading problem has to do with the plug, and/or the type of shells being used? If the spring hasn't been compressed for a long time, it might benefit from 30 wt. motor oil. Just off the top of my head. I hope you get it working. It is a lifetime classic. You can't get a replacement barrel, so consider shooting Bismuth.

Welcome to GunTalk-Online.com Bob!

R,
Bullseye

Bob,

Welcome to GTO.

You will not find a more friendly group anywhere.

How nice to be welcomed. I should have introduced myself in my first post.
I was a lucky kid. After WWII, when I was 6-9, my folks moved to a house on the edge of unhunted woods, virtually unfished lakes, and a dairy farm that was a great source for dove shooting. I can't imagine giving a 9 year old a shotgun, but I got one for Christmas two weeks after becoming 9. I had done a lot of begging without expecting it. When I ran out of shells, I could find some 12's with my grandfather's H & R "long Tom" that I found kicked even less than my 20 with a "Tennite" stock. At 12 I was given the Winchester Model 12. I hunted doves, ducks, quail, turkeys, and shot skeet with that gun all my life, until advised not to use ss shot. Can't say it is science, but I always felt like a pool shark at T-giving and Christmas "turkey shoots" at targets. Great pattern. Gun-talk will help me relive those special days, and the other guns I have shot. I am a retired university professor of psychology, married, two grown kids, six grandkids.