Winchester model 12

A discussion about Turkey guns, rifles, black powder, handguns, chokes, cleaning, and accessories.
Skimerhorn
Posts: 260
Joined: January 21st, 2019, 5:35 pm

Winchester model 12

Post by Skimerhorn »

Look9ng at some old turkey hunting pictures and have got the urge to try to get my hands on a model 12. I think that's the gun I've been seeing? With the corncob style forend? Anybody on here have one or use one? Dont know much about it but the thought of a plain gun going old school is appealing. Thoughts?
User avatar
Turkinator
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 2988
Joined: May 13th, 2013, 6:25 pm
Location: southern onio

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Turkinator »

They made it in a version called the “heavy duck” I believe that is what the old writer Charlie Waterman packed. It would be neat
User avatar
Turkinator
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 2988
Joined: May 13th, 2013, 6:25 pm
Location: southern onio

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Turkinator »

I have an old A5 Browning, it was my grandpa’s everything gun, 30” full choke barrel safety in front of the trigger. I may someday load a 23/4” tss load and kill a bird with it.
User avatar
GLS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3566
Joined: May 16th, 2012, 11:29 am
Location: Lowcountry, GA

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by GLS »

Here's my 1959 16 ga. 28" modified barreled M12, Photo was on a January 2014 dove hunt with Abby retrieving and staying warm out of the wind. Something I didn't have sense to do. Ended up with a horrible cold. Gil
Image
User avatar
Hoobilly
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 13330
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 10:15 pm
Location: Argos Indiana
Contact:

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Hoobilly »

Turkinator wrote: February 10th, 2020, 6:40 pm They made it in a version called the “heavy duck” I believe that is what the old writer Charlie Waterman packed. It would be neat
that would be the 3" version.

I would love to get my hands on another 16ga and 20ga and turkey them into turkey killers

that Winchester Longbeards version for pheasant hunting would be ideal to use in them ol guns


but who am I kidding, I would rock that TSS through them :LMAO:
Don't start none, won't be none!

https://foxtrotammo.com/
Bigvet
Posts: 69
Joined: July 23rd, 2019, 4:05 pm
Location: Camden, SC and Waco, KY

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Bigvet »

GLS, is that a Garmin Alpha in your lap? Love the Brit. Admire the bird gun.
User avatar
GLS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3566
Joined: May 16th, 2012, 11:29 am
Location: Lowcountry, GA

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by GLS »

Yep, that's a 320. She was not quite 3 and I wanted to be able to find her if she ran off. She never has and the only time she has one on is when I'm hunting woodcock or quail, not doves. She is still with us. She and her 5.5 year old half sister, Willa, are fine bird dogs. Gil
Bigvet
Posts: 69
Joined: July 23rd, 2019, 4:05 pm
Location: Camden, SC and Waco, KY

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Bigvet »

GLS, pointers are my addiction.And squirrel dogs. And an English cocker. Dog poor but wouldn't have it any other way. Jim
User avatar
Hoobilly
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 13330
Joined: August 15th, 2011, 10:15 pm
Location: Argos Indiana
Contact:

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Hoobilly »

GLS wrote: February 10th, 2020, 7:47 pm Here's my 1959 16 ga. 28" modified barreled M12, Photo was on a January 2014 dove hunt with Abby retrieving and staying warm out of the wind. Something I didn't have sense to do. Ended up with a horrible cold. Gil
Image
glad it wasn't the corona! I wish shotguns came with the stock like that. way too often I grab one and they stretch them too far back for me and I feel like I can't get a solid grip on them

The M12 20ga and 16ga I had was like yours Perfect
Don't start none, won't be none!

https://foxtrotammo.com/
User avatar
Shooter
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 5488
Joined: April 19th, 2012, 1:29 pm
Location: Deep South, Middle, TN

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Shooter »

I have one, just like you described.
It was my fathers. He bought it in 51, when he was 16.
Pretty nice gun. Would sell, but It won't be cheap.
BrowningGuy88
Posts: 750
Joined: February 13th, 2013, 9:01 am

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by BrowningGuy88 »

Skimerhorn wrote: February 10th, 2020, 6:18 pm Look9ng at some old turkey hunting pictures and have got the urge to try to get my hands on a model 12. I think that's the gun I've been seeing? With the corncob style forend? Anybody on here have one or use one? Dont know much about it but the thought of a plain gun going old school is appealing. Thoughts?
I’ve got a 30” full choke 12 gauge that is from the early 60’s. I shoot Winchester 1.5 ounce #6’s out of it and have killed a couple with it. If it wasn’t for it being so dang long, I’d hunt it a lot more.
User avatar
Hognutz
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 8192
Joined: June 28th, 2011, 5:29 pm
Location: S.E. Wisconsin. Global Flatulater

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Hognutz »

The model Winchester model 12 was and still is a great shotgun. It has been around forever and for a long time, was the ultimate pump shotgun. It was made in all gauges except .410, in every grade from ultra fancy trap and skeet to plain old field grade. They are readily available in any shape you want. The upper grade small gauges command big money but you can find your average field grade guns at fairly reasonable prices. They are nice shotguns and everybody should own at least one! :salute:
May I assume you're not here to inquire about the alcohol or the tobacco?
I am the man from Nantucket.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli” -Clemensa
When attacked by a group of clowns...Go for the Juggler!!
fisherxp
Posts: 40
Joined: March 18th, 2016, 1:11 pm
Location: Cape Cod, MA

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by fisherxp »

I got my first Model 12 as a Christmas gift from my parents back in 1946 when I was 14 years old. I still have that gun but don't use it any longer. The stock is oil-soaked and there's no bluing left but it invokes scores of fond memories. It's killed cottontail rabbits by the score along with ruffed grouse, ring-necked pheasant, woodcock, ducks, geese, deer and even a few wild turkeys. To the best of my recollection, I never had a misfire.

During the ensuing years I acquired several other Model 12's: another that i still have is a 16 ga plain barrel that had the choke section of the barrel taken off. It's fitted with a 1X4 scope and shoots real tight groups with rifle slugs at 100 yards. Also owned a 3" magnum in 12 ga that I used for goose hunting but sold that many years back. About 1970 I bought another 16 ga that was brand new still in the box. I never fired that gun and sold it recently for $1,000....kind of wish I'd kept it.

Based on my lifelong experiences with Model 12's I can't help but feel that they were and are the best pump shotguns ever made.
User avatar
Turkinator
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 2988
Joined: May 13th, 2013, 6:25 pm
Location: southern onio

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Turkinator »

Bigvet wrote: February 10th, 2020, 9:06 pm GLS, pointers are my addiction.And squirrel dogs. And an English cocker. Dog poor but wouldn't have it any other way. Jim
Squirrel dogs are addictive!!!
531D5849-A9B5-4CF7-9FE2-D40A55001EE5.jpeg
Attachments
BEF5433A-E74D-471A-91FB-DFD11C9959E1.jpeg
Bigvet
Posts: 69
Joined: July 23rd, 2019, 4:05 pm
Location: Camden, SC and Waco, KY

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Bigvet »

I know! I hunt Carolina Curs and a yellow treeing cur.
User avatar
GLS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3566
Joined: May 16th, 2012, 11:29 am
Location: Lowcountry, GA

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by GLS »

Bigvet, the English Cocker seems to be the Dog du Jour in my neck of the woods. Boykins used to be the pocket-sized retriever of preference, but their popularity has somewhat waned. Those little EC's are dynamos in the field and the variety of colors is amazing. Gil
Bigvet
Posts: 69
Joined: July 23rd, 2019, 4:05 pm
Location: Camden, SC and Waco, KY

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Bigvet »

Gil, same here. Too many Boykin breeders (there aren't many even here 10 miles from where they were developed) breed for field performance. We had to go to hunting English cockers to get any prey drive. We use them to flush birds in front of bird dogs, retrieve quail, doves and summer ducks.I'm working on training mine to flush fall turkeys. Range may be her shortfall in going out and looking for them before the bust.We will see. Jim
crow
Posts: 598
Joined: July 17th, 2017, 7:01 pm

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by crow »

Turkinator wrote: February 11th, 2020, 3:40 pm
Bigvet wrote: February 10th, 2020, 9:06 pm GLS, pointers are my addiction.And squirrel dogs. And an English cocker. Dog poor but wouldn't have it any other way. Jim
Squirrel dogs are addictive!!!531D5849-A9B5-4CF7-9FE2-D40A55001EE5.jpeg



Nice, is that a Stevens cur?
User avatar
Turkinator
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 2988
Joined: May 13th, 2013, 6:25 pm
Location: southern onio

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Turkinator »

crow wrote: February 11th, 2020, 10:19 pm
Turkinator wrote: February 11th, 2020, 3:40 pm
Bigvet wrote: February 10th, 2020, 9:06 pm GLS, pointers are my addiction.And squirrel dogs. And an English cocker. Dog poor but wouldn't have it any other way. Jim
Squirrel dogs are addictive!!!531D5849-A9B5-4CF7-9FE2-D40A55001EE5.jpeg
OMC. He’s out of hummer




Nice, is that a Stevens cur?
crow
Posts: 598
Joined: July 17th, 2017, 7:01 pm

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by crow »

Turkinator wrote: February 12th, 2020, 12:34 am
crow wrote: February 11th, 2020, 10:19 pm
Turkinator wrote: February 11th, 2020, 3:40 pm

Squirrel dogs are addictive!!!531D5849-A9B5-4CF7-9FE2-D40A55001EE5.jpeg
OMC. He’s out of hummer




Nice, is that a Stevens cur?

Thanks
Back in the early 2000's I had several mt. curs and mt. fiest from Kenneth and Ruby Beaty out of Crossville Tn., Fine people and very good dogs.
But I haven't kept up with bloodlines or stud dogs for some time.


Back on track for the old model 12, I believe it was the favorite gun of the old turkey hunter Charlie Elliot and was mentioned a good bit in his book.
User avatar
Turkinator
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 2988
Joined: May 13th, 2013, 6:25 pm
Location: southern onio

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Turkinator »

Yes Charlie Elliot!! I mistakenly called him Charlie Waterman. My bad.
Hobbes_mobile
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 2502
Joined: April 23rd, 2019, 11:18 am

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by Hobbes_mobile »

Grandpa's old Model 12 in 16 ga. I brought it home a few years ago. I killed one rooster with it,but it needs some work. It won't keep shells in place in the tube.
Screenshot_20200212-152044~2.png
User avatar
GLS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3566
Joined: May 16th, 2012, 11:29 am
Location: Lowcountry, GA

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by GLS »

The M12 has a cult following just as the Ithaca M37. I prefer the simplicity of design in the M37. If anyone desires a pdf of a gunsmith manual of the M12 pm me. I'll need an email address. Gil
User avatar
GLS
Gobbler Nation
Gobbler Nation
Posts: 3566
Joined: May 16th, 2012, 11:29 am
Location: Lowcountry, GA

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by GLS »

I wish more folks could be like Charlie Waterman. By all accounts, he was a fine man. Gil
coconut
Posts: 475
Joined: February 17th, 2017, 8:39 pm

Re: Winchester model 12

Post by coconut »

I have a very old nickel steel model 12 16. It was 2 5/8 inch I think but my grandad had gunsmith modify to 2 3/4. It has shot so many shells that the barrel is paper thin and sharp as a knife. Scared to shoot it anymore. Back in my lead shot days I bought a heavy duck model like new with box. The like new part was accurate and I guess the with box was accurate although the box had no relation to the gun. Anyway ,I have shot several turkeys with it and like to carry it from time to time because it reminds me of an old friend that used to hunt with one. It is heavy and doesn’t pattern quite as well as my favorite a5 magnum. Thought about sending some tss down the barrel but wouldn’t forgive myself if it got skinned or damaged.
Post Reply

Return to “Gun Talk”