Magic of Model 12 Winchester

T

Tom McGaffey

Member
Anybody else out there belong to the Winchester Model 12 12 step program? I swear, I can't head to a bird hunt without one. Been shooting them for 50 (Yikes) years and still they are my "go to gun". Admit, there are a few "two shots" in the safe with barrels vertical and horizontal, but nothing, i mean nothing, feels as good to me as an old Win Shuck Gun. i stil have (and shoot) the M12 "heavy duck" gun my Dad bought for me when I was 13. durn thing shucks itself. Have to admit, tho, the skeet config 12 bores with WS-1 choke makes me look like I know what I am doing. Even shoot them on "Sprouting Clays"...and they are scary on quail, dove and decoying ducks.

But I have failed in one important way...my son shoots a Rem 870 (in 12 ga and 28 Ga).And I did everything I know to raise him right...
 
Sort of a M12 guy. I have the M12 20ga my grandfather had but don't shoot it much any more. Between our upland non-tox laws for public land and waterfowling I just don't use it. I'd shoot it for doves and pheasants with steel if it weren't full choked. I should really get it opened up to a light modified, it's not like it is leaving my possession and I would like to use it more.
My dad used a heavy duck for years, not my favorite M12 but it is built like a tank. He also has a M42 (nearly a M12). I learned to hunt with that gun and the first time I ever shot it at a bird I hit a dove, can remember my first greenhead with it like it was yesterday. I need to shoot a few doves with it this fall.
Now I almost always shoot a M50. Love shooting that gun even if it is a little heavy. 2 3/4" shells can still kill ducks and geese.



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Tim
 
After selling a high grade double and having a hand full of cash, I bought a whole series of Model 12s including a Heavy Duck model made in the year of my birth (anal? yes). However I discovered that shooting 3 inch plastic hulls the gun would not always properly eject. Having two competent gunsmiths work on it, and not having a desire to reload papers or roll-crimp plastics, I sold the gun. I did stay with a pump, the Beretta Nova, in my opinion the best designed pump ever made, although not near as glamorous as the Model 12.
 
The Win 50...great gun. We (Dad and me) bought one way back long long ago. A 20 ga with poly choke. Considered the cats meow in those days. Loved the gun..wish it had not gotten traded.
 
Yep...the M12 heavy duck is not a good shucker with 3" shells. I did not shoot a lot of the 3" flavor but since it was the only gun I owned, I did fire about a trainload of 2.75 mags.

What are the other M12's you traded the double for? Hope you kept a couple, even though the Nova is so great. It is building a great reputation. I think that I shoot the M12's because I "imprinted" on them as a child. But still, they just feel so durn good. I have some doubles but only the Browning Lightning SP or an old (1909) H&H "dominion" come close to feeling as good to me as my M12's...pretty sure that it is the "imprinting' thing.
 
I've been shooting my Grandfathers 16ga Mod 12 since 1974. He bought it in 1937 for something like 39 dollars. Still use it a couple of times every year on ducks. If you are concerned about non toxic shot, bismuth will not hurt them.
 
Howard..

I plan on wringing out a '57 M12 16 ga Mod choked on ducks this year. You are right...the Bismuth works great. I guess that I just can't get into "steel shot" anyway. And since almost all my guns are "old" and some are "very old" I just avoid the ball bearing loads all together. I never shot 16 ga's before the M12 but this is a very pleasantly surprizing combo (M12 + 16 ga). Ever take a look at the 16ga website (www.16ga.com)...there are some 16 ga addicts out there. Gotta admit, they may have something on the ball.
 
when ever i get chance i buy kent matrix in 16 gauge #5 they work great.can be a little hard to find.
korey
 
in response to where are you finding them. the last place I bought kent matrix 16 gauge was in cabelas in boise idaho, and the sportsman wearhouse in kenniwick washington. before that Bass Pro Shops. there are several on line websites.
here was one of the cheapest if you buy a case
http://www.huntstuff.com/catalog_vendors/kent%20cartridge/impact%20tungsten%20pheasant.html not sure how to link

to 40 yards it is deadly. I have shot ducks with it further but question wheather it was luck or skill. I shoot a 16 fox sxs. that loves the stuff choked light mod and improved mod.
korey z
 
Oh man..now you are talking. A Fox 16 bore..wow! Tell me more about it so that I can lust. I have an old Fox 1909 "B" grade (extractors)...It is a 12 bore, with the heavy barrel config..pretty close to 8 lbs with 30" barrels. Balances great tho. IMO, the Fox is the best design American SXS ...better than most (all) Brit guns. But in 16 bore..now that is a True Bird Gun.
 
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