I'm trying to figure if it is a true riot gun or not. Ive got a serial of 619xx. I have so far found out that it is a 1914 model. Its got the shorty barrel and looks the part. The reciever and barrel #'s match. Marked full choke. The last patent stamp is 1913. It works great as a bear scare but I'm worried that it may be worth too much or not be able to handle the loads going through it. However it works great and will pound off a mag as fast as I can slide. Any info on whether this has been cut down in the past would be helpful.
1914 model 12 riot
- Thread starter bluddystump
- Start date
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
You have a field grade model 12 that has been cut down at some time over the years. Winchester Model 12 Riot models had steel butt plates and were marked "CYL" (on the barrels) at the factory. Your gun (if in good tight condition) will handle any 2 3/4" load you can buy. Cut down models 12 are not worth a lot but they do make good reliable business shotguns. I have seen several cut down models 12 selling for around 250.00
cheers Darryl
cheers Darryl
madtrapper143 nailed it. He's exactly right about the butt plate. Exactly right about the safety aspect, too - if a round is too hot for a model 12, you'd better not try it in any other shotgun, either. This is, of course, assuming that there's no serious damage to the barrel or problems with the lock up, etc.
The steel that Winchester used for model 12 barrels is WAY overproofed. Add to this that the choke has been cut off and you have nothing to fear from any factory 2 3/4" shell, including steel shot I'd venture to say (not that a short barrel, cylinder choke would make the best waterfowler, but it wouldn't hurt the gun). The chamber was not designed to accept 3" magnum ammo, though, and the forcing cones on these barrels are very short. These two factors combine to produce punishing recoil from 3" shells, not to mention elevated risk of damage to the gun and/or the shooter. Good idea to stay away from the 3" stuff, but that's about the only limitation.
The steel that Winchester used for model 12 barrels is WAY overproofed. Add to this that the choke has been cut off and you have nothing to fear from any factory 2 3/4" shell, including steel shot I'd venture to say (not that a short barrel, cylinder choke would make the best waterfowler, but it wouldn't hurt the gun). The chamber was not designed to accept 3" magnum ammo, though, and the forcing cones on these barrels are very short. These two factors combine to produce punishing recoil from 3" shells, not to mention elevated risk of damage to the gun and/or the shooter. Good idea to stay away from the 3" stuff, but that's about the only limitation.
