Questions around Win Model 12

B

Beaver Skin

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
179   0   0
Location
Lower Mainland, BC
I have a Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck which is new to me. When a snap cap is in the chamber a swift pull on the forearm will cause the action to open and of course eject the shell. This doesn't happen everytime but it does happen. Further when chambered, the same pull can cause the forearm to move an inch or so but not fully open the action.

Any ideas on what would cause this?
 
Beaver Skin said:
I have a Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck which is new to me. When a snap cap is in the chamber a swift pull on the forearm will cause the action to open and of course eject the shell. This doesn't happen everytime but it does happen. Further when chambered, the same pull can cause the forearm to move an inch or so but not fully open the action.

Any ideas on what would cause this?
Click to expand...

When a snap cap is in the chamber a swift pull on the forearm will cause the action to open and of course eject the shell. This doesn't happen everytime but it does happen. This should not happen at all unless it has been fired or you use the release lever.

Further when chambered, the same pull can cause the forearm to move an inch or so but not fully open the action. This should not happen either.

When the action has been cycled and is closed and you pull the trigger and hear the hammer drop on a dummy or empty chamber, you can not open the action until you push the forend foreward slightly. This is the design of the model 12. You don't even notice this when a round is fired because the recoil automatically does this for you. Model 12's will also "slam fire"... which means if you hold the trigger back and cycle the action, it will release the hammer when the action closes.

Take it to a gunsmith...
 
I agree, this should not happen! I'm having my smith look at it this weekend but I'm still curious about the cause. I put some some masking tape on the end of the snap cap to see if the hammer was being released upon closing the action but the tape is untouched so that is not the cause. Hmmmm
 
You say the gun is new to you.
Have you stripped it and cleaned it well? The Model 12 is easy to tear down.
When I did mine, I'd be willing to bet it had never had a full tear down before. Looked OK from the outside but really dirty inside.
 
Model 12

I'll take a guess, and say it's the lock release lever. The lever has two pin-like springs shaped in a V. It's possible one of the springs is bent or broken. Also, possible, the edge of the lever has worn a bit and needs to be squared again for a postive catch.

In the very worst case, it might be worn at the bolt lock which is at the top, inside, reciever. If a model 12 is shot a lot (and I do mean a lot) the edge of that lock will start to push back a bit, just enough to cause problems with the bolt staying in a locked position. It could also happen if someone was shooting very heavy reloads for a few years.

Good Luck.
 
Thanks for the responses everyone. It looks like it is a combination of two factors, one a worn release lever and second, the forearm hanger is quite worn at the end. I'm looking into the best fix and I might have a lead on some replacement parts. I do have to say though, this is a well made gun!
 
I agree with Beaver Skin on his observation that the Mod.12 is a well made gun.The whole trigger action is a breeze to pop out and clean like my Rem. 870 but my Mod 12 is made so much better and has a shorter lock time.Some complain of the extra weight of the Winchester but I found it easier on my shoulder after many a good morning of goose shooting with magnum BB loads when I lived in Alberta.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom