Model 12 frame questions

[Duke426]

I may have the opportunity to purchase a model 12 of 1970's vintage (-2 or -3). The gun is NIB. My questions for those knowledgeable members:

1. Have there been confirmed, widespread cases of the frame cracking on these guns?

2. Does the consensus seem to be that any cracking of the frame is due to over-tightening of the barrel during installation rather than over use of the revolver?

3. If the frame were to crack, is it reasonable to assume that it would have done so by now on a 30-40 year old NIB revolver?

I'm not the least bit worried about the effects of +p ammunition on such a gun as I don't plan to shoot the gun very much anyway.

Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

[El Biblioitecario]

I don't know what the consensus is, or the case history, or any of those things. I do know that I have four Model 12s made at different times and showing varying states of wear, and none of them have cracked frames. Two of them I shoot regularly.

[Engine49guy]

I have a 4 screw and a dash 3 Snub neither have any cracks.

[oldafsp]

Although my 12-2 had less than 20 rounds fired it's entire life, that's not a fair comparison.

But..one of my shooting partners has a 12-3 4in SB than has probably over 500 rounds of +P 158's and who knows how many rounds of std pressure LRN 158's through it.

I personally put 200 through that gun one Saturday.


I wouldn't worry, just inspect it carefully.

[Duke426]

Thanks for the help. We'll see where this deal goes.

[Revolver_Ocelot]

I know someone that had a 12-3 and he even shot some 158 grain LSWCHP +P loads and never had a problem. On the few other model 12's we have run across since that time we never noticed any cracking either so I'm not sure how common this problem really is.