Winchester model 12

[Captain Ray]

I have a model 12 (trap) that I love shooting, and until I buy a shorter shotgun, I would like to be able to use it for self defense applications (Nighttime, so that I can put my pistol into it's safe at night.)

Problem, it has a wooden plug installed in the magazine to comply with Federal Migratory Bird Regs. (Limits me to 3 shells (2 in the magazine, one in the pipe)) Removing the wooden plug would allow 5 shells in the magazine, and one in the pipe. (For night time use, I would not have one in the pipe.)

Winchester has sent me the manual for the rifle, and I have the instructions how to take the plug out.. but one of the two magazine plug screws will not budge! I have tried my best to be careful with it, but my jimmying around with the screw has begun to strip the standard (single slot) screw. I can still get plenty of bite on it, I haven't ruined the screw yet.. I am just wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to loosen the screw up without damaging it further.

The magazine spring should not be causing me problems with this screw. I understand it is under considerable tension, but I re-insert the magazine locking pin back wards into the hole.. that is supposed to stop the spring from flying out. I am assuming that there is no pressure on the cap at the end of the magazine.

Thanks in advance.

Raymond

[ChevyBlazerGuy]

Go down to Harbor Freight and pick up one of their screw extractor sets. Comes with the drill bits (bits are left turn to aid in removing the screw) and the extractors. Then replace the screw.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=40349

Let me know how it goes.

[So Flo]

Get some good penetrating oil on it and let it sit for an hour or so, then try a little heat...start slow with a hair dryer for about 10 minutes...you may need to go up to a heat gun. Be very careful not to heat too much with the heat gun as it may goof up the blueing.

[Brasso]

You're shooting a 12? Granted it probably works just fine, but why use such a collectors item, especially if it's in good shape? I would fire some low power loads once in a while just for fun but I wouldn't put anything too heavy in such a sweet old shotty.

[hobocircus]

Originally Posted by Brasso

You're shooting a 12? Granted it probably works just fine, but why use such a collectors item, especially if it's in good shape? I would fire some low power loads once in a while just for fun but I wouldn't put anything too heavy in such a sweet old shotty.

I agree 2,000%.

[Captain Ray]

Originally Posted by Brasso

You're shooting a 12? Granted it probably works just fine, but why use such a collectors item, especially if it's in good shape? I would fire some low power loads once in a while just for fun but I wouldn't put anything too heavy in such a sweet old shotty.

Hmm, I really never thought about that. It was built in 1949.. My Grand-pa shot it for skeet, and a little turkey hunting. It has not been fired since the early 1970's.. it's just been hold up in a closet. It is a great shooter, and likes being shot. I can't see owning a gun and not shooting, but admiteddly, I do not shoot it often, but I do shoot it.

I will keep the power of the rounds down for a while. One of these days I would like to get a Remington 870 for home defense. The one I like is the "WingMaster" (I think,) But it looks like shortest barell you can get for it is the 26". For now.. the old Model 12 is needed for around the house.

I have a picture of it around here somewhere. Somebody around here said he thought it was quite valuable.



The features that make it nice I think are the ventilated rib, Trap, 12 guage, 2 3/4 barell, and the stock seems to be unique. I have looked at lot's of pictures of Mod 12 shotguns from the same year, and I have not seen one with the same stock. Mine has no "grip" (for the lack of a better word.) All the ones I have seen on-line have an extended part of the gun-stock that extends downward.. mine, as you can see is plain.

Raymond

[Son of Norway]

It''s called (oddly enough) a straight stock, more popular in European shotguns. Most makers offer the straight stock as an option.

[SLCDave]

Originally Posted by Captain Ray

Hmm, I really never thought about that. It was built in 1949.. My Grand-pa shot it for skeet, and a little turkey hunting. It has not been fired since the early 1970's.. it's just been hold up in a closet. It is a great shooter, and likes being shot. I can't see owning a gun and not shooting, but admiteddly, I do not shoot it often, but I do shoot it.

I will keep the power of the rounds down for a while. One of these days I would like to get a Remington 870 for home defense. The one I like is the "WingMaster" (I think,) But it looks like shortest barell you can get for it is the 26". For now.. the old Model 12 is needed for around the house.

I have a picture of it around here somewhere. Somebody around here said he thought it was quite valuable.



The features that make it nice I think are the ventilated rib, Trap, 12 guage, 2 3/4 barell, and the stock seems to be unique. I have looked at lot's of pictures of Mod 12 shotguns from the same year, and I have not seen one with the same stock. Mine has no "grip" (for the lack of a better word.) All the ones I have seen on-line have an extended part of the gun-stock that extends downward.. mine, as you can see is plain.

Raymond

Ray,

Heat + penetrating oil is good advice. Once you get the screw completely out, contact your local gunsmith, or better yet, Winchester themselves, and get a new screw.

As for the shooting it/not shooting it debate, I'm in the shoot it group. Your grandfather shot it, and I'm sure he would want you to do the same. I wouldn't shoot a lot of heavy loads or steel through it if I could help it, but I wouldn't avoid shooting the thing. Guns are meant to be shot. If your grandfather wanted it to be a wall hanger, he wouldn't have shot it himself.

[mcb]

Originally Posted by SLCDave

As for the shooting it/not shooting it debate, I'm in the shoot it group. Your grandfather shot it, and I'm sure he would want you to do the same. I wouldn't shoot a lot of heavy loads or steel through it if I could help it, but I wouldn't avoid shooting the thing. Guns are meant to be shot. If your grandfather wanted it to be a wall hanger, he wouldn't have shot it himself.

Got to agree. I have a Winchester 1897 that my Grandfather bought in 1932. He gave it to my father in the 60's and my dad made a trap gun out of it. It was passed down to me a few years ago and I still shot it. At gun like the model 12 or 97 still have lot of parts floating around and are great guns. I would shoot it alot if you shoot it well and not worry about it. But than again there is not one gun in my collection that I have not shot or will not shoot. I personally would never own a gun I couldn't shoot.

mcb

[Brickboy240]

It's so funny to hear some people say "don't shoot it...its old"

Fact is, the Model 12s have more steel in them than any modern pump guns. They're as tough as they come. I own three M-12s and the 410 version (called the Model 42).

That said, I would not run magnum buckshot or steel shot through your Model 12. Most hi-brass lead loads and bird loads and even low recoil buckshot will not hurt that shotgun at all. I would especially stay away from buckshot or steel loads if it is choked Full.

You see, your M-12 (like mine) were designed before modern shotshells with plastic shot cups, which means the chokes are actually a little tighter than on more modern shotgun barrels. An Improved cylinder will be more like a loose Modified and a Modified will be like a loose Full choke. I find the Mod. choke on my 16 gauge M-12 to be a help, while blasting high flying doves...it gives me a litle more power out past 40yds or so. The plastic shot cups actually "tighten down" the choke on early shotguns, like M-12s and even others like my old Browning A-5s.

Since your M-12 has an English stock and is a skeet version, it is more valuable than the field models with a pistol grip. Actually, any working Pre-64 Model 12 is a collectable and I would refrain from modding it out and leave it as-is. Collectors really frown on any mods at all, even a recoil pad.

The Model 12 was a great shotgun. I think that until the 870 Remington came along, it was THE pumpgun to have and I use my 16 gauge version every year for dove hunting (it was made in 1920!). One of my M-12s 1935 made 18" security version and I keep it loaded and it guards my house and has done so for many years. I'd trust my life to the old thing...yeah..they're that good.

Theres just something reassuring and solid about the Model 12 Winchester shotgun. No cast parts or plastic, no aluminum or stamped parts...the M-12 was machined from bar-stock steel and hand-fitted - nickle steel barrels, too. Very few guns are made like that today. Sad, but true.

-Brickboy240