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S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present All NON-PINNED Barrels, the L-Frames, and the New Era Revolvers


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Old 07-16-2017, 04:25 AM
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Default SW 12

Hello
I see this week at à gunshop a s&w 12 4 inches barrel new
Is this pistol scarce?
Buy for a queensafe or à shooter ?
Thanks
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Old 07-16-2017, 04:37 AM
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Though many disagree, many others think of a Model 12 as a disposable gun. An aluminum frame in the same dimensions as what was designed to be steel is not something that one should anticipate passing down to grand children. I'd pass. Now, if I were a pilot who was shot down behind enemy lines, then OK -- it is certainly good for short term work.
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Old 07-16-2017, 04:43 AM
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Default SW 12

Is a model 12-2
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Old 07-16-2017, 04:45 AM
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You don't see a lot of model 12's around, especially NIB. If you are looking for a collectable, it might be nice if you can get it for whatever is a "good" price in France.

As a gun for steady range use, I would go with the steel frame version. Never owned a model 12 myself, but have heard enough stories about cracked frames with use that I would be leery.

Larry
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Old 07-16-2017, 06:43 AM
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The Price is 500€ with box and paper, i will follow jours advices,pass ici will
Try tout find a model 10 un same shap
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Old 07-16-2017, 09:49 AM
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I don't think the model 12 is as bad as some think. S&W has been selling aluminum J frames for quite some time and the only problems are with the earliest ones. On the aluminum K frame model 12 the issues were with the aluminum cylinder on the original Model 12 (no dash). Many of those cylinders were replaced under recall and Model 12-1 and newer were manufactured with steel cylinders.

Still, a model 10 would give you many years of unworried service.
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Old 07-16-2017, 09:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tyrod View Post
I don't think the model 12 is as bad as some think.
For a carry gun, a model 12 or 37 can't be beat.
The vast majority of people shoot their carry pieces very little and the weight savings at the end of a long day are certainly appreciated.
I've seen about as many cracked aluminum frames as I have cracked k frame forcing cones, which isn't very many.
If you can get it cheaper because of all the naysayers, so much the better.
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Old 07-16-2017, 11:24 AM
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I have two Model 12s. I had another thirty years ago. I have a 642 and a 42. I have had a couple of other 42s. I have three 37s. Sounds like about ten. None were cracked last time I looked. I bought a cracked-frame 12 advertised on this forum for parts. I saw a cracked-frame 42 floating around NW Fl looking for a sucker. Sounds like 17% to me.

I am NOT a metallurgist, but sifting through the various allegations, observations, and professions of ignorance, it seems to me to emerge that some aluminum-frame guns, probably a fairly small percentage, will crack because their barrels were screwed in too tightly, but most won't.

I would worry more about stripping screws.
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Old 07-16-2017, 11:56 AM
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Agree. 12s aren't a shoot it all day range toy, but a great carry revolver.
I just wish S&W would step up with a modern Scandium +P Model 12.
In the meantime, my old old one will have to continue soldiering along.
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Old 07-16-2017, 07:23 PM
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"I just wish S&W would step up with a modern Scandium +P Model12."

They sort of did for awhile, the 315NG.
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Old 07-16-2017, 07:43 PM
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Yep. Another stealth S&W.
Gone before it ever got started.
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Old 07-16-2017, 08:42 PM
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primersp,

Please note that the only negative replies seem to be from members that admit never owning a Model 12. There is also typically some inaccurate information given.

First, no model-marked Model 12 ever had an aluminum cylinder. The ones with aluminum cylinders were the earliest M&P Airweight guns that were manufactured prior to 1953, and model marking began in 1957-8.

Model 12 frames do not crack because the barrels were "overtightened", they were glued in using either "Loc-Tite Sleeve Mount" (high strength green), or a similar resin product. The M-12 barrels which I have removed in the past have had what definitely appears to be green Loc-Tite on the threads! The truth is that while frames sometimes do crack in the lunette, no one seems to really know what causes it! Same with J-Frame airweight models.

I have owned 4 Model 12s, a no-dash, a dash 1, and 2 dash 2s. I still own 3 of them, 2-2" and 1-4". In total I have fired thousands of rounds through them, some well exceeding +P pressures**, and have had no problems with any of them! Steel K-frame revolvers have been known to crack too, they do not get the publicity the Airweights do! In addition to my own guns I have handled probably in excess of 100 Model 12s of all dashes over the years and I have never seen a cracked frame!

(** Loads from an early manual when everyone assumed published loads in manuals were all safe!!!!) 125 gr JHP/4756 load from Speer #8. This is not a recommendation.

Model 12s are like any other gun, a tool. If used as intended they will wear and sometimes break, whether abused or not. If you worry about this then pass. If you are willing to take your chances then buy the gun and enjoy it.

So far as scarcity is concerned, if the gun you ask about is a round butt 4" then it is fairly uncommon. The majority of 4" M-12s I have seen have been square butt. And probably more than 90% of the Model 12s I have seen have been 2" barrels. As I recall I have only seen some 6-8 4" Model-12s, and all but 2-3 were square butt.
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Last edited by Alk8944; 07-16-2017 at 08:50 PM.
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Old 07-17-2017, 01:01 AM
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Default sw 12

thanks for the answers
i think the gun where buy here for protection by an jewweler or same profression,it have shoot once or may be nonne
i love this old shape ,i cast and reload so,no problem for the ammo
is 500 a good price ?
the only i see here for sale are 2 inches barrel
have a nice day
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Old 08-31-2017, 04:38 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alk8944 View Post
primersp,

Please note that the only negative replies seem to be from members that admit never owning a Model 12. There is also typically some inaccurate information given.

First, no model-marked Model 12 ever had an aluminum cylinder. The ones with aluminum cylinders were the earliest M&P Airweight guns that were manufactured prior to 1953, and model marking began in 1957-8.

Model 12 frames do not crack because the barrels were "overtightened", they were glued in using either "Loc-Tite Sleeve Mount" (high strength green), or a similar resin product. The M-12 barrels which I have removed in the past have had what definitely appears to be green Loc-Tite on the threads! The truth is that while frames sometimes do crack in the lunette, no one seems to really know what causes it! Same with J-Frame airweight models.

I have owned 4 Model 12s, a no-dash, a dash 1, and 2 dash 2s. I still own 3 of them, 2-2" and 1-4". In total I have fired thousands of rounds through them, some well exceeding +P pressures**, and have had no problems with any of them! Steel K-frame revolvers have been known to crack too, they do not get the publicity the Airweights do! In addition to my own guns I have handled probably in excess of 100 Model 12s of all dashes over the years and I have never seen a cracked frame!

(** Loads from an early manual when everyone assumed published loads in manuals were all safe!!!!) 125 gr JHP/4756 load from Speer #8. This is not a recommendation.

Model 12s are like any other gun, a tool. If used as intended they will wear and sometimes break, whether abused or not. If you worry about this then pass. If you are willing to take your chances then buy the gun and enjoy it.

So far as scarcity is concerned, if the gun you ask about is a round butt 4" then it is fairly uncommon. The majority of 4" M-12s I have seen have been square butt. And probably more than 90% of the Model 12s I have seen have been 2" barrels. As I recall I have only seen some 6-8 4" Model-12s, and all but 2-3 were square butt.
I have a s & w mod 12_2 and he is my partner every day of the year for more than five years, before I was carrying 1911, wondernine or 357 magnum. No more, if I have time to put those 6 shots of 38 well and I do not go out alive, then it means that I would not do it with any other.

Enviado desde mi CAM-L03 mediante Tapatalk
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Old 08-31-2017, 05:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by primersp View Post
.... is 500 a good price ?..
That's about $600 USD, which would be considered a fair price here in the States. Perhaps even toward the low end of "fair", considering the age and near unfired condition you describe.
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