Tell me about the Mod 12-4?

[Ascension]

Found one today with a 4 in barrel factory grips no box in Blue 95% or better. I can grab it for $350 at the most but can find little on it. Looks to me to be a Airweight version of a mod 10 am I right? What's a real world value? Anything to watch out for on these?

[NCBeagle]

Originally Posted by Ascension

Found one today with a 4 in barrel factory grips no box in Blue 95% or better. I can grab it for $350 at the most but can find little on it. Looks to me to be a Airweight version of a mod 10 am I right? What's a real world value? Anything to watch out for on these?

That would be a good deal in my neighborhood. I like the Model 12. Also, I think the 12-4 had a frame the same width as the other K frames. That's good for swapping grips. The earlier 12s had a slightly narrower grip.

[k22fan]

The thinner frames of earlier dashes did not just take different stocks. They also had thinner internal parts.

S&W never approved firing .38 Special +P in model 12s. They will actually take a lot of them but the aluminum's long term durability would be less than a Model 10's steel. Also they are reputed to lose their finish from holster wear faster. In their day round butt 2" Model 12s had quite a following but there was and still is less demand for full size light revolvers.

[NCBeagle]

I really like the Model 12 with a 2" barrel. It is one of my favorite carry guns. Have a few of them.

From my perspective, long term durability is not a concern. I've shot these a lot with no issues so far. Well, mostly the blued 12s. It would take quite a lot more shooting to wear them out. Also, these are not match guns. They spend more time in the waistband than on the range.

This is one of the most underrated carry revolvers. Doesn't hurt that you can get a 6 shot Airweight for about 2/3 the price of an average condition Colt Detective Special or Cobra (like those too).

EDIT - Regarding the holster wear comment...that is consistent with my observation, at least with respect to the "blued" aluminum frame. The black coating shows wear faster than traditional bluing. Does not bother me at all.

[Engine49guy]

IIRC the older S&W black aluminum frames are anodized.

The dash 4 is a neat revision because it can use standard Model 10 internals and grips where older versions cannot.

When inspecting any aluminum frame S&W check the frame yoke under the barrel as it tends to crack there at its thinnest point.

You cannot repair a cracked aluminum frame and it becomes a parts gun.

[Kernel Crittenden]

That price is very fair. If you like the idea of a light weight, 4-inch, fixed sight, .38 Spl.... go for it. Would make a good knock-about holster gun.

[Ascension]

Bought it today $345 OTD really clean example!

[Ascension]

My 1st and second S&W wheel guns both airweights and within 7 days. Bought this nice little J frame 637-2 for the wife last week for $200 OTD.
Bought the 637 from the Pawn Shop I work in found the 12-4 at a rival shop so dirt cheap just couldn't resist!
Been addicted to the 3gen autos for a while but--. Now gotta find a nice N frame ( prefer the 610 10mm or a mod 57 .41 mag in a 6 in barell!)!

[Ascension]

Originally Posted by Kernel Crittenden

That price is very fair. If you like the idea of a light weight, 4-inch, fixed sight, .38 Spl.... go for it. Would make a good knock-about holster gun.

Got several 5 shot.38 snubbies so the 6 shot K frame 4 in was appealing and snagged it today.

[kaaskop49]

Originally Posted by Ascension

Got several 5 shot.38 snubbies so the 6 shot K frame 4 in was appealing and snagged it today.

Sounds to me like you're buying guns (especially snubs) simply to prevent others from buying them. That's what I do. It's a great way to while away the hours!

Some great Model 12 advice above! Never had luck with the 12. Found a used nickel 12 snub in a LGS which could not fire 30 rounds without jamming. After 2 'smith visits, it went down the pike. Sad, I wanted it to work out so badly: a Smith equivalent of a Cobra.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[Ascension]

Originally Posted by kaaskop49

Sounds to me like you're buying guns (especially snubs) simply to prevent others from buying them.

Naw had the other 2 snubbys for quite a while now 3rd gen autos and Browning High Powers are a different story . Wife bought the Charter Off Duty back in the mid 80's new and I have carried the Rossie M88 as a pocket pistol for years. Bought the 637 to replace the Charter Arms for the Wife but IMO the old Rossie I have shoots rings around it. Wife doesn't like the Rossie because it's a little heavy. Bought the Mod 12 to play with for myself because of the smooth trigger on this particular example + it's condition. Let's see how she she fairs on the range this weekend up against my sons 4 inch Mod 10 at 20 or so yards.
I prefer to carry mostly autos but still love the feel of a good wheel gun.

[chief38]

From a collectors view it might be a worthy piece to stick in your collection. As a practical shooter or carry piece it is quite less robust than it's all steel "brother" the M10. The M12 also had slightly different grips than did the other K's so if you do purchase it, make sure the grips are in good shape - as they are hard to find in very good condition and a bit pricy when you do.

[Ascension]

Originally Posted by chief38

From a collectors view it might be a worthy piece to stick in your collection. As a practical shooter or carry piece it is quite less robust than it's all steel "brother" the M10. The M12 also had slightly different grips than did the other K's so if you do purchase it, make sure the grips are in good shape - as they are hard to find in very good condition and a bit pricy when you do.

The one I got was the 12-4 not the earlier version. Mine has a full size k frame so parts other than the frame itself interchange + it runs the same grips as the mod 10. Grips are flawless none the less.