Has 16 gauge become popular again?

[equin]

Photos of 1930 M12 16 ga:

 

[paulsj]

Nice gun with choke selector which is real useful gadget to have. The only thing I didn't like about those is that one had to work the slide between shots. The only thing I found more anoying is having to reload after one or two shots. That is why I will probably never own another single shot or vertical or horizontal two barrel gun.

 

[equin]

Thanks, Paulsj! I have no experience with poly-chokes, but I'm eager to learn how to pattern my shots with one.

One of the features I've been told about these Model 12s is that if you keep the trigger depressed and don't release it after a shot, the hammer will cycle along with the action so that each cycle of the pump fires a shell until you empty the magazine tube. I'll have to check to see if the wooden dowel is still in the tube, but you can supposedly take it out to get more capacity (4 or 5 maybe?).

 

[Merle1]

Thanks, Paulsj! I have no experience with poly-chokes, but I'm eager to learn how to pattern my shots with one.

One of the features I've been told about these Model 12s is that if you keep the trigger depressed and don't release it after a shot, the hammer will cycle along with the action so that each cycle of the pump fires a shell until you empty the magazine tube. I'll have to check to see if the wooden dowel is still in the tube, but you can supposedly take it out to get more capacity (4 or 5 maybe?).

The older Ithaca M37s did the same thing.

 

[equin]

I've never seen a box of 16 ga ammo. Not that I've looked for it in particular, but I've never stumbled across it.

Here's an example of one. I just bought these same ones at my local gun shop (Faith Armory):

 

[equin]

You will not ruffle any feathers out here, many of us know the advantages of the 16 gauge and the guns made for the shell.

Lighter faster handling guns made when guns were made by gun smiths not assemblers.

It took a real gun smith to build a Model 12, at the end of production the productions cost's were much more than what Winchester was charging for the gun.

You have a all steel, no stampings or plastic or injection molded parts used, no alloy.

Because of the design of the action only one action bar/operating bar is needed, that's why they are so slick in operation.

If you look closely at the guns made that use TWO action bars, you will see the bars are needed to prevent parts from falling out.

You won't find any 16 gauge shells at the ATA Grand, 16 gauge is not on any of the shooting events.

Good info to know! So is there a reason there are no 16 gauge shooting events at the ATA Grand? Is the 16 gauge that uncommon or unpopular?

 

[equin]

I've never seen a box of 16 ga ammo. Not that I've looked for it in particular, but I've never stumbled across it.

Oh, and yeah, I never looked for them, either, til now.

 

[jaguarxk120]

I hope they make the Citori on a 16 gauge frame. The Grand Lighting 16 gauge comes in at 7lbs. 5oz.
A little heavy for a 16, my Charles Daly 12ga O/U comes in at 7lb. 4 oz.
The Ithaca's are 6 lb.2oz. and 6lb. 4oz. but then they are single barrel pump guns.

 

[jaguarxk120]

You will find that the Poly Choke patterns very well. Aside from looking retro, many people do not

know what they are or how well they work, you can go from cylinder to extra full with just a simple twist.

 

[paulsj]

If you want light weight stuff european is the way to go. English had 12ga guns with 2" chambers and something called 12/20 from Charles Lancaster shop, I think. If funding is problem Spanish companies like Arietta made copies. Not bad guns if you chase birds & don't mind reloading every two shots.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Yes there is a write up in this issue of Shooting Sportsman, there is also a article about
the 16 gauge.
If you can't hit them with two shots what good will a extra 3 or 4 do?

 

[paulsj]

My Remington doubles up as HD gun. Those european doubles were made by craftsmen and are firearms plus works of art rolled into one. My Remington being mass-produced by mass assemblers from parts bins.

 

[jaguarxk120]

I don't know which guns will last longer the Remington's or the Winchester 12's/Ithaca 37's
all are good for about 100 years plus.

 

[bearman49709]

Don't leave out the Browning A5 Sweet 16 they started shipping last year. They claim 5.7 pounds and the one I handled with a 28" barrel yesterday felt like it.

 

[Crawdad1]

Thanks, Paulsj! I have no experience with poly-chokes, but I'm eager to learn how to pattern my shots with one.

One of the features I've been told about these Model 12s is that if you keep the trigger depressed and don't release it after a shot, the hammer will cycle along with the action so that each cycle of the pump fires a shell until you empty the magazine tube. I'll have to check to see if the wooden dowel is still in the tube, but you can supposedly take it out to get more capacity (4 or 5 maybe?).

Slam firing is very hard on the gun. I don't ever 'slam fire' mine. Its to sweet for that kind of punishment. Its a 12 gauge though built in 1927. Fits in this 'government assassin look alike' takedown case also.

 

[equin]

Nice 12 gauge, Crawdad1! Not sure if it's the lighting, but the stock has a nice, slightly brighter, slightly orange-y tinge to it. And really like that case. Were those the kind used back in that day?

Ok, good to know slam-firing is hard on the gun. I'll restrain myself from subjecting it to that kind of abuse. It's almost twice my age, so I want it to last long enough for my son to hand it down to my grandson many decades from now.

 

[Crawdad1]

Thanks Equin, love the takedown feature on the Model 12s. That's your call whether or not you 'slam fire' it, but these things were built like brick ****houses, milled from a solid block of steel.

You'll love yours, and you bought one in great shape, Great find and Good job!!!!