The Winchester Model 12 Pump Action Shotgun

Model 12 is a disassembled gun. It is able to be taken apart for service. A pin that was short on the end of the tube that was used for magazine maintenance was pushed from the top left toward the lower right. It was it was used to spin the tube one-third turn before disconnecting it from the receiver.

The Model 12’s forging and Buywinchester.com machined parts required extensive and sometimes complex machine work. This “Perfect Repeater” was costly to produce, and it lost ground to the modern Remington Model 1200 pump shotgun.

Features

The Winchester Model 12 is a gun that pumps action. It was made from 1912 (hence that name) until 1964. The gun was used by US troops during WWI, WWII and the Korean War. The gun was designed through Thomas Crossley Johnson, the gun utilized sliding forearm designs from John Browning’s earlier designs such as those of the Model 1893 and the Model 1897. Johnson included an internal hammer for this gun. It eliminates the need to pull a hammer out prior to firing.

Model 12 Model 12 was a huge success, quickly becoming an instant favorite of the trap shooters as well as hunters. In Winchester’s advertisements, it was called “The perfect repeater.” Johnson’s secret was that he concealed the hammer inside the receiver, this resulted in a more contemporary gun, with a sleek design and a more smooth operation.

Additionally, it eliminated the need to use a cocking lever making the gun lighter and more user friendly. Another benefit of the gun was that it could be fired slam-fired. This gave its gun the image as an excellent gun for close-range police department express messengers, police departments, as well as sheriff’s deputy.

During its heyday, the Model 12 was available in Field, Trap, Skeet as well as Super Pigeon grades. Different grades were distinguished in the high-end of the wood and the engraving. These deluxe models, such as the Super Pigeon and the Field were available with an elegant hand-checkered forearm as well as stock. A few of the top guns including the Tournament and the Heavy Duck Gun, were even decorated.

Apart from the many variations of the gun there are eleven Model Configurations which distinguish the firearms by the length of their barrels. The barrel’s length is determined between the end of the barrel to the point of entry for the bolt inside the receiver. Standard models have a 20-inch barrel and is the most popular.

It is an excellent example of American manufacturing and a fun gun to use. Model 12 Model 12 may be a slightly more expensive option, but it’s definitely worth every cent. It is precise as well as reliable, and is a tribute to American Histories. Ammo To Go is the place to go if you would like to buy an item. Ammo To Go is the main retail ammunition distributor of TTAG. They provide quality ammunition and bulk quantities at a discounted price!

Construction

When the Winchester Model 12 (shortened to M12) was first introduced to the market in 1912, it was immediately the favorite of the trap, hunters and shooters who shot skeet. Winchester marketing personnel called it the Perfect Repeater and for 46 years, it was the weapon to own.

Engineered in the hands of Thomas Crosley Johnson, it included a slim receiver made with solid steel. It completely enclosed the bolt during all of its working cycle. As a result, the internal hammer fell as the trigger was pulled and an inertia-action bar cam was used to cock the bolt and removed and dispersed the empty shell.

Similar to earlier shotguns it was equipped with a tubular magazine with six rounds. Internal actions and barrels are custom-fitted and tested. They’re also a precisely choke bore. Hammers were located behind the cross-bolt safety in the forward part of the receiver, ergonomically superior to the older thumb busting model that affected previous models.

The M12 was available with Field, Skeet, Trap and Tournament grade, and also in high-end versions that had checkered forearms, and elegant walnut stocks. A few had solid ribs vent ribs, and polychokes. There was also a Featherweight model with a lighter fluted barrel.

The M12’s internal hammer as well as its tubular magazine, and simple-to-use controls made it simpler to work with than the previous models. Its “slam fire” technique is a method that fires the gun every when it shuts off the action so long as it is not pressed. This option allowed the user to fire one shot after another in the same amount of time as they could get the action to open to close it, making it suitable for use in military.

M12 production ran until 1964, at which point the massive production ended. Between 1964 and 1964, more than 2 million units were produced. It was during this time that the US Repeating Arms Company produced some M12s in its collector-purchase programs. However, the M12 never went into manufacturing in the mass market after 1964. The USRA was sold to FN in the year 1970, and FN’s Miroku factory located in New Haven, Connecticut took over production of the M12. There are some who insist on the fact that it’s produced in Japan. An authentic US-built Model 12 remains to be an authentic model.

Design

Designed in 1912 in 1912 by Thomas Crossley Johnson, one of Winchester’s great engineers and designers, the Model 12 was a major distinction from its predecessor it was the Model 1897. Model 97 shotguns were excellent however, they also had some shortcomings in their design. The Model 12 corrected these. The exposed hammer, for example was unsightly and could easily cut your thumb when you pulled it from the receiver. Johnson found a way to keep the hammer hidden in a sleek and enclosed receiver.

Internal components that are hand-fitted made of forging steel were utilized. The barrel was tested and precisely choke bored. It contained six 2-3/4-inch shotshells and was clamped to the barrel on the front. The safety was in the front of the trigger guard, which was ergonomically superior than cross bolt safetyties. Model 12 Model 12 was available in sizes of 16 and 20 gauge and a.410 It was also sold at Field, Pigeon Grade, Super Field, Duck Gun as well as Skeet and Trap competition grades with several grades of walnut, and engraving.

The Model 12 was favored by several athletes. It was the most popular model of pump guns for over 52 years until 1964, when it was taken completely out of service. Danny Michael, curator at the Cody Firearms Museum, calls it “one of the most famous guns in American history,” and says it’s a great piece to own to both collectors and shooters.

Model 12 is the first shotgun with an internal piston Hammer. It is simpler to load, as well as more accurate than other models. Tube magazines are an important factor, since it was quick for loading, swift to cycle, and provided higher capacity than pump action shotguns.

Model 12 was a Model 12 was Buywinchester.com produced by Winchester up to 2006 (though special production Model 12s were built through specialized collector purchase programs from 2006 until 2014.). This model was among the most popular and successful pump-action shotgun manufactured. It did have some issues. It’s actually not typical for a Model 12 to require major work or replacement of parts after decades of usage. Model 12 is a reliable, durable firearm. Model 12 is a rugged reliable firearm that is loved by those who shoot with a high level of precision.

Reloading

For 52 years, the Winchester Model 12 was the top-selling pump gun in the world. The Model 12 from Winchester was popular among sportsmen, and was even used in four world wars. It is still one of the most popular shotguns to purchase in the present. With a good condition the gun can be sold for up $1500 or more.

The Model 12 was the brainchild of legendary Winchester engineer Thomas Crosley Johnson. The gun’s design was based on three fundamental principles: reliability, shootability, and capacity. A hammer with an internal mechanism was incorporated as well as a streamlined machined receiver which enclosed the bolt.

Model 12 Model 12 was designed to be easier to load, and easier to operate over the other firearms. Additionally, it is easier to operate for those who are new. The Model 12 had a tube magazine and an action bar cam that cocked the an hammer whenever the forearm is moved back. It was also able to fire the cartridge, as well as ejected cartridges that were discarded. It was made available for purchase in Field, Skeet and Trap models that had either a vented or solid barrel with ribs and in various choke sizes.

The Model 12 was also equipped with the Cutts compensator and later the Polychoke. Similar to other pump shotguns at their time, Model 12 Model 12 did not have an uncoupler for the trigger and was able to be slam fired without holding the gun down.

In a testimony to its durability and the quality of this famous shotgun my grandpa’s Model 12 has been in frequent use for nearly 90 years and has never required major repairs. Its smooth action is able to cycle several shells with only a few pumps. When the bolt release or action bars start to become difficult to press, it may require a gunsmith to get it working again.

Model 12 became a big success with sportsmen. It was produced until 1964, when it was stopped. The Model 12 was later replaced with the cheaper Remington Model 870. Model 12 Model 12 was a high-end shotgun, but its rising cost and loss of market share made it necessary to cease production. The good news is that this Winchester Repeating Arms Company was reinstated in 1994, and continues to manufacture high-quality firearms. This includes a newly-created Model 12 pump shotgun with concealed hammers.