Winchester Model 12

Mac_63

Mac_63

CGN Regular
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Location
Nova Scotia
I always wanted a wodel 12 have a chance to buy a couple they are in good shape one is a 1933 the other is a 1958. whats the going price range these days
 
The '58 gun will have a longer slide handle. I have found this adds greatly to handling ease. In theory the '58 gun should have less wear on the parts also. The disadvantage of the model 12 is that most are 30" FULL choke. This can limit it's versatility and also limit your ammo choices. (steel shot) Any smith can open chokes, shorten barrels or install tubes to remedy that issue. NOTE most barrel work will start at 100.00 and go up from there. Just something to consider on the initial purchase.

Darryl
 
Basic field grade guns $ 150-$300 depending on overall condition. If it looks like new closer to $300 if it only has some bluing on the bbl and a shinny reciver with a cut stock and no Finnish on the wood closer to $150 $200 . Nostalgia ,sentimental attachment & carved stocks adds no value to the guns
 
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I believe going price is irrelevant. A little research on the web will tell you everything you need to know and what to look for (wear, broken parts, etc.) when purchasing a M12 and after that you decide what you're comfortable spending on one. At the end of the day I truly believe spending $400-$500 or more on a very good to excellent pre-64 or "Y series" M12 is a better idea than spending the same amount on an Turkish or Chinese made firearm, an 870 Express and even a Mossberg! You'll never wear a M12 out and in the odd chance you do (after maybe 200000-300000rds) you can easily find a cheap "parts" gun just about anywhere. Vent ribs look good but aren't needed. Get a full choked gun reamed out to Light Mod constriction and never look back...or spend the extra $125 to get it threaded for chokes.
 
Aye, if it's in literally premium shape I wouldn't pay more than $400-$450 for a field model in 12 ga. here in Canada.
I picked one up from 1927 with a 20" nicely sawed down barrel, finish is almost worn off barrel and mag tube, receiver is scarred and worn, the wood is dinged and greased.
Took me 4 hours to clean it it was so dirty when I bought it for about $250.
But it runs shells through it like it was made yesterday. My favorite shotgun of all time. Made when things were made to last. I would say confidently it's the best pump action shotgun ever made in terms of reliability, durability, quality of fabrication and bang for buck value.
Can also be unloaded quickly without cycling 5 live shells through the action!
People up here seem to think you can sell a well used 80 year old extremely common shotgun for upwards of $500 + lol
Don't pay more than $450 for a common field 12ga regardless of condition.
M12's seldom break but should you need a part be prepared for the likes of $10 screws etc and it goes up from there.
 
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Mac down this way the 12ga doesn't seem to follow the norm for values and one can pick them up normally much less than what they would normally sell for in others parts of canada. Me I would not pay more than 250 for one down this way and honestly never had to for a nice clean field model
Others gauges yes but not a run of the mill 12ga
All the best
 
VLT79 said:
I believe going price is irrelevant. A little research on the web will tell you everything you need to know and what to look for (wear, broken parts, etc.) when purchasing a M12 and after that you decide what you're comfortable spending on one. At the end of the day I truly believe spending $400-$500 or more on a very good to excellent pre-64 or "Y series" M12 is a better idea than spending the same amount on an Turkish or Chinese made firearm, an 870 Express and even a Mossberg! You'll never wear a M12 out and in the odd chance you do (after maybe 200000-300000rds) you can easily find a cheap "parts" gun just about anywhere. Vent ribs look good but aren't needed. Get a full choked gun reamed out to Light Mod constriction and never look back...or spend the extra $125 to get it threaded for chokes.
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This hit the nail on the head!!! And in case it wasn't said often enough. Best pump shotgun ever made! I have owned multiple 870 Wingmasters, a couple BPS's, a Benelli Nova, a Weatherby Patrician, a Mossberg 500, a JC Higgins.......never owned any Ithica 37's but have shot a few and nothing, NOTHING comes close to a Model 12!!
 
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3macs1 said:
I would put a model 31 rem up against a model 12 any day and kick it's ass
Cheers
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Hahaha! If it wasn't for the SX1 love...I'd say you have a bias towards Remington shotguns! ;) The 31 is without a doubt the smoothest to operate. Rumour has it that the intricately machined carrier of the Model 31 is prone to breaking so I'm not too sure if be willing to bet the farm that it would kick M12 a$$!
 
VLT79 said:
Hahaha! If it wasn't for the SX1 love...I'd say you have a bias towards Remington shotguns! ;) The 31 is without a doubt the smoothest to operate. Rumour has it that the intricately machined carrier of the Model 31 is prone to breaking so I'm not too sure if be willing to bet the farm that it would kick M12 a$$!
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Who ever started that rumour has probally been dead now about 25 years. :)
Have never had a 31 fail but have also never put the rounds through one like I have an 870
I like any shotgun that shows it was quality built and even some vintage ones that have issues but save them also just because they may be a hard to find gauge
Putting back together a High standard flite king pump this winter in 28ga. Yep lots of those around. Took me forever to find a good factory uncut stock for it, That is the problem with many old 28ga so many have had the stocks cut for kids
As of now I only kept two ?? original model 12's I think and there was quite a few here when the old man passed but I sold them off. A 16ga and a 28ga of course remained behind :) Canniot remember if the 20ga went or not
Also been watching a factory 12ga pigeon skeet with the nicest wood I have ever seen on a model 12 Been eyeing it for must be over 30 years now and he swares he will sell it to me before he dies. Better do it quick at our age. Probally 15 years since it was shot
Yep that one I think would even get our old bud Struff 55 excited. Some nice gun that is for sure
Cheers
 
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Are the model12's good to shoot steel shot through them for duck hunting, or is that hard on the older barrels? Ive heard some varied opinions about it.
 
3macs1...I was wrong...it's the Marlin 120 pump that is rumoured to have carrier issues not the 31. My mind is older than my body! Lol! Those Flite Kings are as close to the 31 a guy can find I think. Nice old shotguns that's for sure. Too bad it wasn't a very long lived design...and I had no idea they made a 28ga version!
 
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