Lord, please forgive me (concerning the Model 12)

[rbernie]

I've never owned one - I've had two different gunsmiths repeatedly advise me that they were the most common shotgun to be presented for repairs / tuning, and one of the most difficult to keep in tune. I dunno what that means, since I"m not a pumpgun 'smith, but so far I've heeded the warning.

 

[entropy]

They are harder to 'tune' than the 870, due to the adjustable barrel/collar take down design, but otherwise, not a complicated design. That statement by those smiths might have been valid up to about 1980, but I've worked on far more Mossberg 500's, mostly replacing the plastic safety button, or reassembling them when the owners freak out when the shell stops fall out when they took it apart for cleaning. With the You Tube videos available on them, I suspect this is no longer as much an issue.

 

[WVGunman]

There's nothing wrong with acknowledging that something designed before World War 1 might NOT be the height of perfection. I mean, this might even apply to other guns too!
*cough*1911A1*cough*

 

[IdaD]

I like my Model 12, it's certainly much nicer in terms of build and materials than my 870. As a utility shotgun I'd take the 870, though.

 

[eastbank]

the adjustment to take up wear in the model 12 is very easy to adjust, back out the adjuster lock tab screw and move the lock tab out of the way of the adjuster ring and move the adjuster several teeth and ck the fit, if still not tight enough move it several more teeth. when you get it where you want it, move the lock tad in and tighten the lock screw. the last one i adjusted took all of 15 minutes.

 

[rbernie]

the adjustment to take up wear in the model 12 is very easy to adjust

What wears, and what does the adjustment do to compensate?

 

[entropy]

the adjustment to take up wear in the model 12 is very easy to adjust, back out the adjuster lock tab screw and move the lock tab out of the way of the adjuster ring and move the adjuster several teeth and ck the fit, if still not tight enough move it several more teeth. when you get it where you want it, move the lock tad in and tighten the lock screw. the last one i adjusted took all of 15 minutes.

I agree, it really isn't that hard, I've done them. But most owners will not even think to try it.
rbernie, most of the wear/resulting looseness is from taking it down repeatedly. Moving the adjuster teeth tightens the takedown area back up.

 

[Riomouse911]

My Model 12 is a solid rib-28” full-choke 16 ga that my Grandfather, myself and various relatives used to kill a barge load of turkeys, doves, quail and squirrels in it’s roughly 90-year lifetime (so far).

Its not the smoothest, nor the prettiest, shotgun ever... but it does work well for what it was intended for.

Mine is mostly relegated to the safe until I can bequeath it to an heir someday. I gave other guns that are still in production to use.

Stay safe.

 

[Scooter22]

Interesting thread that reminded me I have 2 old Model 12's.(1920s) Both the standard 28" field grade and well worn. Gramps 16ga and Uncle Hanks 12 ga duck gun. Haven,t shot either in probably 40 years. I talked to my son and think of having the 12 ga redone into a Trench style model. Can't hurt the value and will get more range time. I'll leave Gramp's 16 as is.

 

[jar]

I'd love to give my 1927 Model 12 20 gauge a WalkAbout but I haven't found any 2¾" other than Buck shot in ages.

 

[eastbank]

go to a few flea markets, i always see ammo when i go. 20 ga 2-3/4 should not hard to find, if you lived closer i would give you box of number 6 shot.

 

[jar]

go to a few flea markets, i always see ammo when i go. 20 ga 2-3/4 should not hard to find, if you lived closer i would give you box of number 6 shot.

Until I have at least one full Covid-19 vaccination regimen I do not go to flea markets or even into any businesses unless it is totally unavoidable.

Midway got some #4 in stock this morning so ordered a few boxes from there. I have some 3" on hand and my SXP so I was covered partially but still enjoy the Model 12 far more than the newer SXP. It's over an inch overall shorter yet has a 28" rather than 26" barrel and just seems to transit better.

 

[StrawHat]

As I recall, Model 12 has a single action bar running from the forend to the the action. If you twist your arm when working the slide you will get problems.


Kevin

 

[Grizzly2]

Funny how in the '70s many loved the 12 and treated the 1400 and 1200s like they were Cracker Jack prizes.

I remember when Winchester had their own trap ranges and you could rent a 1200 with that shock absorber in the butt stock. Seemed like a great idea. I had a 1200 for a short time, a couple of Ithaca 37s and 870 Wingmasters. But, deep down I've always liked doubles, side by sides and now Dad's Superposed Skeet/Skeet.

I seem to recall alot of talk about rebuilding 12s years ago and the same for 1897s.

 

[entropy]

I rebuilt a few of them back in the day, both 12's and 97's. I did a 97 a couple months back.

Cracker Jack called, they are insulted by your slander of their prizes.

 

[SwampWolf]

nor the prettiest, shotgun ever

"Prettiest" pump shotgun ever made, imo; though the Marlin Model 120 came close.

 

[The Happy Kaboomer]

As I recall, Model 12 has a single action bar running from the forend to the the action. If you twist your arm when working the slide you will get problems.


Kevin

I call BS on that.I've been shooting mdl 12's for 40's and that never happened AND IT WON"T. Apparently you don't own one or have never shot one.

 

[StrawHat]

I do own several Model 12s. Have not used them in decades as I am not a shotgunner. Just posting something I remembered. Trying to help others. Sorry if it got in your way. Not bs.


Kevin

 

[SwampWolf]

As I recall, Model 12 has a single action bar running from the forend to the the action. If you twist your arm when working the slide you will get problems.

True, the Model 12 has a single-action bar, not unlike a few other smooth action pumps of the era, including the Ithaca Model 37 and the Remington Model 31. In my experience, twisting your arm will not cause these single-action bar shotguns to malfunction but, if it does, don't twist your arm whilst shucking a new shell in and tossing an empty hull out.

 

[Sniper66]

I've had a few pump shotguns, including a Remington Model 17, the Winchester Model 12, an 870 Wingmaster 12ga, and a Winchester 1200. My favorite with no close 2nd is the 870....incredible balance and simple design. They flat-out shoot.

 

[eastbank]

for me the sweetest walking small game shotgun i own is a eary light weight remington 870 20 ga 2-3/4 two barrel set. bought it for 200.00 off of a retired school teacher who quit hunting 30 years ago, still in ex condition.

 

[DDDWho]

The original model 12s (pre 64) were machined steel, no stampings and expensive to make. Great guns while they lasted. I inherited 2, one from my Dad, a 12 gauge. One from an Uncle, a 16 gauge. Quite possibly my most cherished possessions.

 

[eastbank]

my 870 light weight 20 ga.

 

[StrawHat]

True, the Model 12 has a single-action bar, not unlike a few other smooth action pumps of the era, including the Ithaca Model 37 and the Remington Model 31. In my experience, twisting your arm will not cause these single-action bar shotguns to malfunction but, if it does, don't twist your arm whilst shucking a new shell in and tossing an empty hull out.

I don’t twist my arm but as the range officer for a medium size LE Department I saw it happen a lot on the range with new hires. Many of the Officers had zero experience with firearms and we were expected to get them trained in record time. Whenever we had the chance, a Model 12 would be retired and an 870 was used to replace them. I am not a fan of the 870 but it worked and satisfied the needs of the dept and mostly the needs of the officer.

Some may think it is bs but unfortunately it is not.

Kevin

 

[OrangePwrx9]

Have never shot a Model 12. But have always been interested in them because of the following.
FWIW:
It was 1961. I was 16 and had saved enough to buy a single-shot Winchester shotgun. My boss at the market where I worked part-time had an FFL (or whatever they called it then-he sold guns to local hunters). When approached about the single-shot, he said, "Forget that for now, we'll get you something better". A few days later he gave me a choice; a new utility-grade M12 for $96 or one of those new-fangled Rem. 870 Wingmasters for $87. The kicker was the 870 included two barrels, one was a rifle sighted slug barrel. I really wanted the Winchester and had read a lot about them, but two barrels! Didn't even think the M12 would let me swap barrels if I had one. Ended up going with the 870 and saving 9 whole dollars. Decided to stay away from M12's because I didn't want to regret my decision.

The 870's still with me 60 years later. Never missed a beat.