Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Help, need info. on shotgun

on fathers day i was given a model 12 16ga. I need info. as to date of manufacture and how common this gun is. its marked, nickel steel mod 12-16 ga. cyl. ser#324xxx. it has a 25 or 26 inch barrel and is in great shape. thanks for any help larry.

Just looked at three of them today. Fairly common and depending on condition can run from $200-$700 Cylinder is nice as most were made with Full Choke that I have run across. Have the Chamber checked, being an ealier gun could be a 2 9/16 inch chamber which means you will have to shoot special shells through it, you can shoot 2 1/2's through it fine should it be the shorter chamber, but standard 2 3/4 cannot. Serial number puts it made in 1923. Ryan

With any luck at all MD will chime in on that. Probably you wouldn't believe me and I don't want to get in a pi$$ing contest over the matter. Think the evaluation is good though, higher end of the range if the barrel hasn't been bobbed.

No worries Dan, I read MD's article that 2 3/4 wont raise the presure, but that being said, I never feel comfortable shooting a shell in any gun that it wasn't meant for. I picked up some 2 1/2's for $6 the other day, so I just feel better doing that. Also read an old NRA issue that said lengthing the chamber in a model 12 is rough because of the headspace rings and the ejection port had to be opened to reliably throw the shells clear of the shotgun. Either way you go with it, stay away from steel and kill some game, they are great shotguns. I'll Probably be buying another one next week. Ryan

According to at least one source, the chamber length was changed in the late 1920's, I believe 1927, so yours does indeed have a shorter chamber. (My Model 12 16-gauge was made in 1939, the reason I remember this stuff....)

You will have to use shorter shells in it, not because of pressure but because the ejection port was shorter on the older guns, which can cause empty 2-3/4" shells to hang up. No reason to use a pumpgun when you can't pump it!

MD

Thank you all for your help and info. I had checked out the ser.# but was'nt sure about it because this piece looks to good to be that old. again thanks larry

Just couldn't stay away from the Model 1912 at the local shop. Made in 1915 and in about 85% condition, starting to silver out but the wood is good and mechanically sound. 26 inch plain barrel and picked it up for just over $200 because the previous owner needed quick cash. Blueing doesn't bother me, Model 12 isn't a Model 12 if it still has its blue <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> I have an Ithaca 37 in 20 gauge coming next week for my son, when he grows into it. I need another shotgun like my wife needs shoes, but I get better return on the guns, her shoes just become play toys for the new German Shorthair. Starting to see a pattern here.....

Elron the shells I am shooting in the 2 9/16 are the Kent Gamebore 2 1/2 inch. They have them through Ballistic Products or Graf and Sons for 10 bucks a box of 25. I get them through my local dealer for $6.95 so if you have a dealer that will order in bulk you can get them cheaper. Save the hulls and then you have something to reload without having to cut standard shells down. Good luck, Ryan

Ryan, thanks for the info. on Kent. I checked out their web page. again thanks larry.

Let is know how it shoots. Ryan