16ga.com ~ View topic

I've been looking for a 16 gauge pump for quite some time. I would love a M37 but there just aren't ANY down here in New Zealand. However, I have a chance to buy a Mod 12 but I don't know the model at all. Are there any pitfalls I should be aware of? What should I be looking for? Serial number is 1709XX. Any idea of age?

Failing that is anyone interested in shipping a M37 Ultrafeatherweight, 28" barrels with choke tubes in excellent condition all the way down here? If you'd like to deliver it yourself I would even throw in some birdhunting. I'm off to shoot some quail this afternoon and the season lasts til end of Aug Wink

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks
Ross

You can't go wrong with a model twelve. They don't wear out, if that is what you are afraid of. Buy it if you like it and the price seems right.

Brian

Member Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 398 Location: S Fl

That serial puts it in 1918, and almost certainly chambered for 2 9/16".
You might have trouble ejecting 2 3/4" shells.

Pete

Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1480 Location: Mpls, MN.

When the extractor starts getting pointy on a model 12, you will be coming up on some work. Model 12s do wear to the point of not working, but, can almost always be repaired.

The Ultrafeatherlight 16 gauge Ithacas have become the Holy Grail of the pump gun world. I just sold one, a standard, almost NIB, in the Gun Digest for $800, and could have sold it a dozen times. They are rare, and it would be my guess that they will never be produced again.

A better chance would be looking for a generic, steel receiver Featherlight Ithaca in 16. Still light, and a wonderful gun that is usually reasonably priced. There was one listed at a dealer here in the states by one of the regulars here, seem to remember a less than $500 US price. A good gun, would last a long time. The Ithacas don't seem to like the steel base cartridges, in my experience, so I don't use those in them. Keep that in mind as you look about for one.
Best,
Ted

Thanks for all your advice. I would have a chance to shoot the gun and have a gunsmith look it over before buying. It is selling for about (US) $800 which seems a heck of a lot for a gun made in 1918....
http://www.guncity.co.nz/16ga-winchester-12-xidp125120.html
Still, when there are so few around I guess you can charge what you like!

I saw your M37 Ted and was about to PM you to see if it was still available when I saw that it had sold. So much for waiting for the right moment to buy Rolling Eyes

I'll take the Model 12 for a whirl to see what I think. I really appreciate all your help!

Ross

Joined: 05 Nov 2005 Posts: 219 Location: Sussex Wisconsin

More than likely you left one didget out of the serial number...if its 1709xxx then its a 1956 gun and the wood is correct for the gun but the pad is probably an add on...around here thats a 300-400 dollar gun..

Member Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Posts: 398 Location: S Fl

When they emailed me the details they did leave a digit off - thanks for the heads up. I've looked at the gun and it has seen a lot of use and looks as though it has had quite a bit of work done on it - not all by a qualified 'smith.

I'll pass on this one and look to see if I can get one from the States. Even with freight I'll be getting better value and have a much wider choice.

There is fantastic value in this forum. If I had traipsed around every gun shop within driving distance I wouldn't have received the knowledge that you folk shared. Many thanks!

Ross

It sounds like you have made the best decision in this case Ross.

It pays to check the OLD pumps for excessive headspace before you buy them as well.
Contrary to popular belief Model 12's do wear out! Especially in developing excessive headspace... Many old guns we've checked have well over max headspace readings and were still being shot without knowledge of this condition.. Once loose, more loose occurs even faster with fewer rounds fired!

Headspace is worth checking even if a gunsmith has to do it for you.

Slidehammer