Winchester Model 12

[CLAYPOOL]

try those adjustable chokes before you cuss them. i did and this one seems to work as advised on settings

[Patrick L]

A Model 12 is a fine gun, and one that has eluded me. I have several 870s and a single Ithaca M37, just for no particular reason never acquired a Model 12. And I love shooting a pump.

I think I need to remedy that!

[Ithaca Gunner]

They're old school quality for sure. Prices seem to be all over the map though, plain ordinary hunting 12ga. like mine in good shape might run, $500.-$700. I got mine at a sportsman's swap sale type of yearly thing at a club. Private sale, $500. from $550. asking price. Year before a guy had a new still in the box ''skeet'' 12ga. late, post 64 model I think he had right around $700. on it and still had it when I left. I kinda wish I had bought it, it had the vent rib. They're heavy rascals! Lots of good American steel and walnut. Like many pre-64 M-70's there's a lot of them out there with orange vented recoil pads in place of the original Winchester plate. Pay accordingly. And, yup, they're slam-fire!

[Bmi48219]

…… And, yup, they're slam-fire!

Yes they can be slam-fired. And NO, you don’t want to do it. I had a six digit serial number Model 12 with the upgraded checkered stock and for-end. Honest bluing wear on the receiver but no scratches, dings or dents. Extra length of pull, it fit me perfect. I couldn’t miss with that shotgun.
The police took custody of it incase it was needed for evidence pending a trial that never happened. Three years later I got a call to pick it up. And yes, in the meantime it had been slam-fired, enough to peen the shoulder of the locking recess in the receiver. After that every time it was fired it would lock up solid, requiring the back of the bolt to be pried down while pushing the fore-end toward the muzzle.
A company out west had purchased the Winchester Model 12 milling equipment by then. They said they could make a new receiver for me, but the serial number wouldn’t match the one on the bottom of the mating barrel/magazine casting, the one right next to the receiver serial number.
If you are considering purchasing a Model 12, try to get a look at the lockup recess the bolt sets against when closed. If it’s peened back even the slightest bit, pass on the purchase.

[Ithaca Gunner]

The cops had a grand time with your Model 12 while in their custody? Doesn't surprise me a bit, items left in police custody that are attractive to them have a habit of vanishing without a trace. The fact they ruined it is probably the only reason you got it back at all.