I inherited a regular old field grade Model 12 Winchester from my uncle. We spent many days afield and afloat together with my dad so it has a lot of sentimental value. Last weekend I took it out to make sure it wasn't rusting and give it a light coat of oil. Just looking at the way the take down mechanism was machined I was impressed. This gun was made in 1959. The trigger assembly fits so tightly that there is almost not room to slide it back into the receiver. No wonder Winchester had to make 'the change' in 1964. I can't imagine what it would cost today to build a gun to those standards even with the cnc equipment. I have an 80's era 870 Wingmaster and although its a fine, extremely reliable gun in its own right, its not even in the same field as the old Model 12.
