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| < 16ga. Guns ~ Need your help gurus - Should I be using this 16ga. shotgun? |
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 Posted:
Sun Aug 20, 2006 6:23 pm
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Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Posts: 7
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Hey All, Appreciate your help in advance;
I am a recent transplant from CA to TX - I decided that I wanted to take up bird hunting, and I, being the "do no research before you buy anything" type of person, found myself at Cabela's - looking at shotguns on the "previously owned" rack. I was looking there because I wanted to find something reasonably priced and figured it was the only way I could get a quality shotgun for the little $ I wanted to spend. (my price range was $250-$400 - and I didn't want anything plastic).
After scouring the racks, shoulding, sighting at the ceiling tiles, I ended up with this 16ga.. I wanted a versitile shotgun, something I could shoot dove with or possibly shoot a turkey (or TX white tail) with...I figured that if I could only have one shotgun, a 16ga. seemed to make the most sense. I came across this shotgun, looked old school, simple, but in good working order. I liked the real wood stock and pump grip and the simplicity. It reminded me of a shotgun that I qualified with in the USMC...anyway, it felt great and I knew I had to have it.
Anyway, Here's what I ended up with - I will provide as much info as I can - would love your input. - couple questions follow below
WINCHESTER - MOD.1912 - 16GA
SN# 100XXX (SN on Trigger assembly is same as SN on pump assembly)
NICKEL STEEL (FULL) - 24 13/16" long barrel
Butt of rifle has a black plastic "Winchester Repeating Arms Co." cap/guard
Condition:
Barrel: bluing is faded in some spots but no rust or pitting
Pump assembly - slides easily, wood grip is in good shape - bluing faded similar to barrel
Trigger assembly - clean, in good mechanical working order - bluing faded
Overall Condition: good mechanical working order - clean - blueing wear prevalent, matches wear on gunstock and pump grip. This looks like a shotgun that was relied upon; but was treated right. Two noticible indentations on the stock on the right hand side of the butt, but in overall wood looks to be in good condition - just used.
I paid something in the mid $300.00 dollar range for it.
Questions:
1) I believe this shotgun may fall into the range of shotguns built back in 1915 - am I mistken? I ran the SN on some website that came back with that timeframe - Do you know any places/websites where I could research this gun?
3) I have read that this model may require 2 9/16" shells as opposed to the common 2 3/4 - can you confirm? can one find 2 9/16" shells for a decent price?
4) It says FULL - I assume that refers to the choke on the barrel - can you explain what the implications are of having a FULL choke - possibly which shells/loads would be best for this configuration
5) If this was you and this was your only shotgun - and you had the means to purchase another shotgun in the $250 - $400 range - would you put this away and find another shotgun for dove season?
Thanks for your time and input - MLow |
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Sun Aug 20, 2006 7:29 pm
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Member
Joined: 26 Jun 2005
Posts: 376
Location: North ID.
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The model 12 is a nice gun, and from your description, it sounds like it is a shooter. A couple of things.
1. The barrels sound as though they have been shortened. The factory barrels were produced in 26, 28, and 30 inches with the majority being 28 and 30 inch. Depending on the original barrel length, the actual choke you now have on the gun is probably any where from Modified to cylinder bore. A pattern test would be in order to comfirm choke.
2. I have a model 12 nickel steel barreled 16 gauge, with a serial number in the 300xxx range that was made if I remember correctly in 1923. It has the short chamber and only works with 65mm shells. Yours could have been lengthened. You probably should take it to a competent gunsmith who will can tell you what the gun is now chambered for.
3. Take it out after doves after confirming the chamber length and see how you do with it. Shells can be found in the 65mm length Polywad and RST are a couple Co.'s that produce true 65mm shells. Good luck!
CH |
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Mon Aug 21, 2006 3:31 am
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Member
Joined: 25 Jul 2006
Posts: 781
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If the chambers are short figure your going to pay up to $10 a box for shells.
If you love the gun and want to shoot it a lot you'll need to consider loading your own. Lots of us do.
Jeff |
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| Posted:
Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:50 am
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Member
Joined: 28 Dec 2005
Posts: 2016
Location: Glendale, AZ
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| Posted:
Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:38 pm
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Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Posts: 7
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Hi All,
I appreciate your opinions and your knowledge - thanks for the short shell links. I believe it was fate that I ended up with a 16 ga. over 90 years old (that requires expensive shells rarely stocked on the shelf- ha ha). I think I may be a 16ga junkie already. I am glad I went with an old (OLD) classic and I will learn to love this shotgun, I already do. I haven't even shot it yet.
I am determined to send some shot downrange, check out the pattern and go from there. I have learned a lot in the past 48 hours but I know I have a lot more to learn.
BTW- I think I measured my barrel incorrectly - I ran a tape from the end of barrel to the spot where I thought the barrel ended - someone described the correct procedure: the best way is to close the action with an empty chamber and then slide a cleaning rod down the bore untill the rod touches the bolt face mark the cleaning rod at the muzzle of barrel now remove the rod and measure. If you have a set of dial calipers measure the bore at muzzle .
I have no reason to believe that this barrel was modified in any way, the front site tip (brass) looks like other M-12s I have seen. I will take a measurement as detailed above and get back to this thread.
I have received several responses to my question and the majority say "shoot the hell out of her" - She's been going strong for 90 years and will go strong for another 90 - stuff like that. I knew I was buying a quality piece, but I had no idea. I keep thinking this is like finding a Model -A under a tarp, getting the keys and starting it and driving off. Let's just say the shotgun already has some serious positive juju as far as I am concerned, that can't be a bad thing especially since it's the start of hunting season 
Thanks again for your help - I will be sure to pipe up again when I run into my next hurdle
Cheers,
MLow |
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| Posted:
Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:52 pm
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Joined: 20 Aug 2006
Posts: 7
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Hi All,
Just one of the many learning experiences I have had in the last 48 hours. I re-measured the barrel using the method described above - measures 26"
Thanks again,
MLow |
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| Posted:
Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:52 pm
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Member
Joined: 28 Dec 2005
Posts: 2016
Location: Glendale, AZ
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