Winchester Model 12 pump issue

[NewCollector]

Hello, looking for some advice. I was recently given an old Winchester Model 12 takedown in 20 Gauge. It's seen field use, has very little bluing left, but seems in mechanically good shape. However, it seems to have an issue cycling. You can rack the slide, pull the trigger and it clicks, but then before you can pull the pump handle rearward, you must first push it ever so slightly forward before it will move back. You can't push the pump handle any further forward while the action is cocked, but it will not move rearward after firing the action. When you push it just forward after firing, like 1-2 mm, there is a slight click, and then the pump can move rearward and cycle.

I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with the action and what the issue might be, such as a worn part, or even that I missed a step in reassembling the takedown components. Any advice is welcome.

 

[Noobie81]

This is normal for a model 12, the recoil will perform this function for you when you fire it. I have had the issue where if I use very light bird loads in my 12 gauge model 12 the recoil is not enough to perform this function so it doesn't cycle well with those loads. Using high brass or higher recoil shells it cycles beautifully. I am no model 12 expert those these are just my observations.

 

[Falconflyer]

That's normal for an M12, the recoil unlocks the slide.

 

[NewCollector]

Good to know! Thanks very much for the info, I did not know this.

 

[Raton57]

The 97 is the same even explains it in the manual .

 

[NewCollector]

It makes total sense when it is explained, but seemed odd when I handled it, as I've only used Mossbergs and 870's till now. Since I'd never handled one, or heard of the feature, I assumed something might be wrong with it. Sometimes you don't know what you don't know.

 

[BigUglyMan]

It makes total sense when it is explained, but seemed odd when I handled it, as I've only used Mossbergs and 870's till now. Since I'd never handled one, or heard of the feature, I assumed something might be wrong with it. Sometimes you don't know what you don't know.

You're 100% right...it feels strange the first time, especially if you don't know that it's going to happen. And almost universally, people forget to mention it to someone new to Model 12s when they first hand them the gun.