I handled a friend's M12 the other day and really liked it. I was wondering why S&W discontinued the M12's and why they don't produce a current Airweight K frame snubby . . .

S&W does have the scandium nite guard series, but not a simple aluminum Airweight K frame.

I think it's probably a dandy CCW package.

I find my 12-2 to be a great carry gun. I don't know why they no longer make an airweight K frame snubby. Weighs the same as a steel J frame(about 20oz) but has 6 shoots and a bigger grip.

It is. I have a couple of 2" ones. It's a good gun in its own right, and a great backup for a steel K-frame if you're carrying one (same speedloaders, probably same ammo).

I have no inside knowledge, but I'm sure that it had something to do with sales. My guess is that many folks preferred a J once they were looking for small and light. Truthfully, I can fire my better J's more accurately than my 12's, but not as fast and not as comfortably.

I sure would like to have a 12, 2-inch!

This should probably go in "Wish List" but I would love to see a lightweight K frame Centennial.

chp that is a good question you ask. I don't know the answer to your question. Maybe some one will come along and give us a good answer. I have a model 12-2, it's a pretty neat gun. I just like "K" frame snubs. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

I've got one of the 315 Night Guards. They're very nice guns, well balanced and easy to carry. Pricey but certainly worth looking at.

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Don't kiss smiling dogs!

A very practical and comfortable sidearm.



It's a real shame that they don't make them anymore.

I lament the fact that they are no longer made. Sure would like one with a 3" barrel.

Maybe we can keep our fingers crossed and hope that S&W comes out with one in the Classic series. I plan on getting a 12 before long, it will be much easier to conceal than my 10.

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386NG, M&P R8, M&P40c, 460 XVR

I presume the M 12 was dropped for lack of sales but reintroducing a firearm that the manufacturer recommends not firing the majority of the factory loadings through seems unwise for three reasons: consumer inconvenience finding ammo, premature warranty repair expenses and liability. Lots of people only glance at the caliber of the cartridges in boxes and do not read what their gun’s manufacturer recommends. As an example, a very wise gentleman once came whining to me after the .300 Savage rifle he had purchased from me through a co-worker didn’t fit the 4 boxes of .303 Savage cartridges he previously purchased for his .303 British SMLE rifle. His retailer didn’t let him return or exchange the .303 Savage cartridges so had purchased my Savage model 99 to fire them. You guys probably thought only we gun nuts buy guns to fit our stray boxes of ammo. Toughening the M 12 so it can be recommended for plus-p .38s (by adding a pinch of scandium to the aluminum?) gives you the Night Guard with its modern looks and expense which you guys seem to not like.

I might like the night Guard .38 with its sights replaced with an adjustable rear and a ramp front, and it’s conceivable I might buy one with its ugly flat black finish changed to bright blue and anodizing. On the other hand, I haven’t bought all the K22s in the world yet and I have to prioritize my budget. I definitely would buy an aluminum framed K22 with a thin barrel. Compared to J frames it would have the better ergonomics and better DA trigger pull of a M 12 combined with light weight for long back packing trips or hunting.

A plus-p rated M 12 in the classics line only makes sense if you guys would actually pay 25-75% more than the price of an old M12 to get one. Would you?

Best regards;

Gil

That was true of all Airweights of that vintage IIRC - not just the M12's. It had to do with the state of the art in metallergy at the time.

S&W would surely use current metallurgy used in its J frame line that would withstand +p ammo.

My all time favorite six shot snub under 24ozs is: Colt's Detective Special. I fire a standard 158gr SWC load for practice and then for social work I carry it with the old FBI load.

Great action, outstanding accuracy and conceals like a J frame.