1932 Model 12 16 gauge

M

mike940

New member
I am getting back into bird hunting after about a 20 year break. This afternoon I shooting trap with my father and brothers, all of whom have kept shooting and hunting during that time. My father brought his Model 12 16 gauge for me to use, and at the end of the day told me I could have it for $200, which I took him up on. I see many of you seem to use this gun for pheasant hunting, which I am glad to see.

My questions is, considering the age of the gun (he said it was 80 years old) can I use anything but lead shot in it? I see some non-toxic loads such as Hevi-Shot® Classic Doubles, that look like they would allow me to use this gun for waterfowl as well. But would it be safe in this old of a gun?

Thanks for any advice you can give.
Mike
 
Classic doubles should be formulated for use in older guns, such as yours. Lead would work just fine, but I'm not sure of what else would be compatible, your choices might be limited.

I hate to tell you that Hevi shot just had a large price jump !
 
Kent Tungsten Matrix is the best non-steel shot option. Much better performance then the Hevi-shot classic doubles. Bismuth, if you can find it would be another option. I'm not sure they are still in business.

The gun must be 2.75" chambered I take it? That has to be close to when they were 29/16 chambered. I believe 1931 was the first year. I'm just pulling it from my short and poor memory right now, without looking.

I wouldn't worry about shooting modern loads in the gun. The model 12 was and still is among the best pump guns ever built. Just don't shoot steel, regular Hevi-Shot or other hard type of shot through the gun.

I have had a few model 12's, including two 16's, one which I still have. I made a mistake of buying one that was 29/16's chambered and it wouldn't work with 2.75" ammo. Sold it and bought a nice 2.75" chambered gun and it's a real sweet heart. The old saying was...shoots like a 12 and carry's like a 20. The 16ga model 12 is built on the 20ga frame and with 1.25oz loads shot and killed much like a 12ga.

I have 5 Winchester shotguns from that era...."The Good Old Days" 2-model 12's 16ga and 12ga, 1-1897 16ga, a model 1911SL Auto loader and a model 50 12ga auto loader. Only the model 1911SL would I consider less then stellar. It was some what of a failure but I own one just to fill in to my growing Winchester shotgun collection.

Enjoy your fathers gun, what barrel, chamber and choke does the gun have?
 
Thank you both for the reply and information. I left the gun with him as I wasn't really able to take it with me yesterday. However, when I spoke to him this morning he said he thought it was a 26' barrel, full choke, and I know we were using 2 3/4 rounds yesterday. The year is also approximate, he said it might be off by a year or two in either direction. Good news, he said the price changed, it is now $1, with the caveat I won't let it leave the family.

From what I am reading online it looks like i will be able to use it as an all around bird gun. I was worried I would have to get a 12 gauge if I tried for duck and turkey, but it seems this is plenty of gun for either. Not that it matters much, Pheasant's are what I am most interested in.

The price change should help me with the insane price of the new shells!
 
When you get the gun in hand. Just check if it's marked 23/4" chamber. Then you know for sure. The unmarked guns were in most cases 29/16" chambered. Many over the years have been converted to 23/4" chamber. A 29/16" chamber gun will fire the the 23/4" shells but will not function through the gun properly with not ejecting spent hulls being the #1 problem.
 
The folkds at 16ga.society.com can tell you everything you need to know about that gun. Nice gun and you can't beat that price.
 
Serial Number

My infromation shows that 16 and 20 gauge Winchester Model 12 shotguns made after serial number 464,564 will have a 2 3/4 inch chamber.

Lock and Load! :D
 
I used some of the Hevi shot classic double this season with my old stevens 16 SxS. I wasn't gunning back when lead was allowed for waterfowl, but if it's anything like the Hevi Shot it must have been nice...
 
I should have the gun in my hands in about two weeks when I stop by his place again, I will take some photos and check the barrel info for you guys as well. Thanks again for all the info.
 
You are a lucky guy. You have been given a classic gun, Win Mdl 12, in a classic upland gauge. The fact that it came from your Dad makes it even more special.

Take the advice of the Winchester experts here re loads and enjoy that gun for many, many years. Its one of the best guns ever made.:10sign:

NB
 
Dad's Model 12

I too have a classic. It's a Win Mod 12 in 12ga 28 in full choke that was my fathers. Mom got for him in about 1941/42 and he shot so many pheasants with it that the front bead is starting to wear thru to the inside of the barrel.

Right after he gave it to me in 1976 I took it pheasant hunting and killed a weekend limit. Monday afternoon I told him that it still shot really good and I got this reply. " Son I sighted that gun in years ago"

Indeed dad you did and very well to.:thumbsup:
 
Last edited:
If you stick with the smaler shot sizes (5/6/7 1/2) of those no-tox loads, you should be OK. Shooting steel T's and 2/BB/BBB's is what tends to mess up those old full-choked guns like Model 12's and A5's.
 
CRP said:
If you stick with the smaler shot sizes (5/6/7 1/2) of those no-tox loads, you should be OK. Shooting steel T's and 2/BB/BBB's is what tends to mess up those old full-choked guns like Model 12's and A5's.
Click to expand...

I bought a Belgium made (1960) Sweet Sixteen that is choked IC. I have been told DO NOT shoot any kind of steel shot through this gun. I don't think the size shot matters. Certainly I would not try to push any kind or size of steel shot through a full choked gun. Now if you are talking non-tox other than steel like Tungsten Matrix, etc. then it should be okay.
 
Dakotazeb said:
I bought a Belgium made (1960) Sweet Sixteen that is choked IC. I have been told DO NOT shoot any kind of steel shot through this gun. I don't think the size shot matters. Certainly I would not try to push any kind or size of steel shot through a full choked gun. Now if you are talking non-tox other than steel like Tungsten Matrix, etc. then it should be okay.
Click to expand...

Agreed....
 
We finally had another chance to shoot trap this weekend, and I was able to pick up the gun.

Serial number - 434xxx - Which puts it at 1927 from what I can find online
Choke - Full
Chamber - I think it must be the older, shorter chamber, no info on the barrel, and from what info I can find online it was in 1928 when the switched to the 2 3/4. However, it cycled the 2 3/4 shells with no issues, so perhaps it was lengthened at some point.

Most of the bluing is gone, but I don't really care about the finish, the fact that is works well and the personal history are much more important. The only problem now is waiting for September/October so I can use it in the field.

Thank you all for your help and input on this.
 
It can Work

Some of the short chambered 16 ga Model 12's will work with 2 3/4 inch ammo. Those that have a problem most often just don't eject well. You can always buy the 2 9/16 inch ammo. It's still made.

Lock and Load! :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top