My son's gun store just took this Model 12-3 in on consignment. I believe it's manufacture date was somewhere between 1977-1982 but I don't have the s/n...just this pic. Looks to be almost NIB with all the goodies. The asking price is $700...is that a reasonable price for this revolver? I'm not a big K-frame aficionado, and I'm not really interested in this piece, but it seems like a good deal and I have first right of refusal. Thoughts? Thanks.

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Great gun and nowadays a great price ! Grab it.

Look at the frame underneath the barrel. The older alloy frame guns had a habit of cracking due to being over torqued.

I would be on that like a fat kid at a donut buffet.

If there's anyone in the Central Florida area that's interested in that 12-3, send me a PM and I'll let you know where it's at.

Yes nice and yes even my cheap *** would drop $700 on that. As mentioned, the alloy frames had a habit of cracking under the barrel, so a very close inspection in that area ( use bright light and a magnifying glass) to verify no crack is essential
As the story goes, the crack was primarily related to improper barrel torquing/ installation not excess shooting, which accounts for some very mint guns with limited evidence of firing having cracks

I owned a beautiful condition 2" RB 12-2 twice. It's a long story. I sold it due to everyone talking about the frame cracking on here and also the anodized frames wearing easily when carried. I actually liked the size and feel better than a J frame for me and also the extra 6th rd. Now I wish I had kept it.

Guess price on these are all over the place.
Found this M12 4" RB at a LGS that rarely has stuff that interests me. It was $350. Some carry wear, but no evidence of being shot much at all.
S/N matches to 1975.
Recently added a BK grip adapter.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Model 12's are neat Smith's.

When I first joined this forum (20years) ago
one member actually tried to wear a model 12 out.
IIRC correctly maybe coupe thousand rounds thru it.
Nary a crack...
I think that the cracked frame issue was
unwarranted.

1963 12-2 Flat Latch...

During the early 1970's, in Fort Lauderdale I remember a Sgt. who carried the lightest uniform duty rig he could. It consisted of a 4" mod 12, one speed loader, and alloy S&W handcuffs. Radios were still in the cars at that time .A few years later they pulled the radios out of the patrol cars and issued large handheld units that doubled the weight of his gear. It is a different world out there today with all the gear they carry.

Just showing off here. Don't know what I would charge for it. You would most likely have to kill me to get it. No crack, just a little dust.

December 1954

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The 4" RB is kind of interesting, in spite of certain disincentives.

My eyes do not care for fixed sights of the kind we see on most revolvers; never have, and it is worse with age. I am not a fan of the standard barrel as a cosmetic issue, but the bull barrel would partially negate the value of the lighter gun. I also think the 3" barrel is just the ticket on a K frame. I'd be afraid to try to shorten the barrel or improve the sights for fear of incidental damage to the frame, but ...

My M66 4" is round butted and it really makes it a much better gun for carry and most shooting.

Weight of duty gear, since the sort of came up as a tangent: When I was a deputy, I got curious about the weight of my gear. From fresh out of the shower but dry to ready to go on patrol: +27 pounds. Yup. Admittedly, I worked in a large county most of which is sparsely populated, and as a reserve could be sent darned near anywhere to fill in gaps. If you do not have it with you, there was no Gunga Din to bring you stuff.

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NHI, 10-8.

I paid $250 for my 12-3 in 2019 off of Gunbroker. It shipped 12/1979.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Targets guy great gun and deal for sure. If I found a 12 affordable price without a crack, I would shoot it without hesitation- again, as far as I know the crack issue is either there essentially as a factory defect which shows up quickly with use, or doesn’t.
Due to the frame crack issue, I have always been hesitant to buy a 12 ( or any alloy frame revolver) that I am unable to personally inspect first. I have seen a few on gun broker that have decent enough photos to have some confidence, but most of the ads/ photos usually don’t show the problem area clear enough to give me confidence and the hassle of shipping a gun inspecting it finding a problem and needing to ship it back/ refund is just too much hassle

I've been lucky with both my Model 12's (knock on wood). I still haven't shot the 12-3 yet but it is in good shape. I also picked up a 12-2 snubby in 2017 (it shipped 11/1971). It is in terrific shape, has the original stocks and shoots just fine.






These grips are not the originals but I have to have the AF shield grips on this guy.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

There were no cracks in the frame from barrel installation, and it's a beautiful revolver. The 12-3 is not my cup of tea, so I passed on purchasing this one. Someone will get a really nice revolver package at a nice price.

I like the M13 USAF grips. They sure look nice. When I worked at the factory in the early 70s I managed to get some good employee discount on stocks and other items. I bought a pair of Texas Ranger Commerative Smooth targets. They were cut from a nice piece of matched grain Goncalo Alves. They also had the likeness of the Texas Ranger shield for medallions

I put them on my model 18. The TR commerestive was a 19. When my neighbor saw my 18 he wanted to buy the stocks from me for his 19. I tried to get another pair through work but there were no more available. So after awhile I relented and sold the commerative stocks to my neighbor and put a very nice pair of smooth GA targets on my 18.

My neighbor still has the 19 and I still have the 18. Outside of smoothing up with a lot of use both guns are in the same condition as they were 50 years ago.

At times I've carried either a nickel or a blued Mod12 as an off duty pocket carry. Worked fine in a homemade pocket holster I used. I'll admit that I was concerned about the frame, so I used 125gr non +p Federal Nyclad for carry.

It's a nice complete package but I think $700 is at the upper end of current pricing, especially if one wants to carry and shoot it.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220