rchall
Member
Looking for a value on a Winchester Model 12 16 gauge pump shotgun. 28” plain barrel with full choke. Excellent original condition. 1950 birthdate. Any help would be appreciated!
Model 12 16 gauge
- Thread starter rchall
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Probably get widely varying estimates based on location but I'll guess around $450
DWalt
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Main problem is that not many would be interested in a 16.
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In checking Gunbroker actual sales (not listings, but actual sales) there is only one in similar very nice condition that sold for about $625 plus shipping.
There are 2 in LGS's nearby. One is in a relatively high price pawn shop. It is in excellent condition and is being offered at $550. The other is at a more reasonably priced gunshop. It is in good condition but shows honest wear. it is being offed for $375. Split the difference at about $450- $475 accounting for condition and pricing oddities.
LostintheOzone
US Veteran
The racks at my LGS used to be full of old pump shotguns like Ithaca's, Winchesters and Remy's. Not so much anymore. I'm thinking a lot of those were purchased for a few hundred dollars and had the barrels cut to 20" for HD.
I'm not current on prices these days but any pump that old in exl. condition would be worth $500. Model 12 maybe more. That's just a guess.
16 ga ammo is still on the shelves. Saw some the other day.
I have a Win 97 and a 55 yo 870 in my safe in original condition. I kind a like those old timers.
I'm not current on prices these days but any pump that old in exl. condition would be worth $500. Model 12 maybe more. That's just a guess.
16 ga ammo is still on the shelves. Saw some the other day.
I have a Win 97 and a 55 yo 870 in my safe in original condition. I kind a like those old timers.
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Buick
Member
The 16 gauge Model 12 is one of the best bird guns ever produced! Much lighter than a 12 gauge!
Baltimoreed11754
Member
The winchester M1912 that I bought last year in 20 ga was 380.00. Love the smaller size recvr. Did not know these cute things existed. Dated from 1914 so it’s not in great condition. Have a couple cut down M12s in 12 ga that I use in CAS Wild Bunch shoots. Fine shotguns. Check the completed M12 sales on Gun Broker. Thinking that the 16 ga in any brand is the red headed stepchild nowadays.
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DWalt
Member
It's a little difficult to find 16 gauge shells today as many dealers do not stock it, or if they do, there is not much selection of shot sizes or weights. I know the local Academy may or may not have a couple of boxes on the shelf. You probably will not find any at Wal-Mart. It used to be, and still may be, much more popular in Europe. Buying over the internet is probably the way to go to meet specific load needs if you do not reload for it. And that is an expensive way to buy.
When the 3" 20 gauge came out, that was pretty much the death knell for the 16 gauge. No longer much of a niche between 12 and 20 for it to fill.
When the 3" 20 gauge came out, that was pretty much the death knell for the 16 gauge. No longer much of a niche between 12 and 20 for it to fill.
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It really depends on who is purchasing the gun. Yes, the 16 gauge is a very capable SG and will handle lots of different tasks from hunting to home defense. They are lighter, smaller and easier to carry through the fields all day. The issue is that many stores no longer carry 16 gauge shells and the ones that do only have only a very limited selection. As far as the Winchester model 12 is concerned, it is my opinion that it's one of the best pumps ever made. I would think that even though it is much more rare than the 12 gauge, many would hesitate to purchase it because of the ammo situation. Because of the fact that its a 16 gauge, I'd guess around $475 if you got someone who really wanted a 16 gauge gun in great shape. If the market on 16's has really fallen, I'd venture to say more like the $325 - $375 range.
But as always, something is worth what a buyer is willing to pay, regardless what I or anyone else has to say here. You do not state if you are considering buying or selling it, but my honest opinion is that if you are a potential buyer, you might want to get one in 12 gauge. If you are a seller, you would have to see what someone is willing to pay.
I used to hunt with two friends that had Browning A5 sweet sixteens in 16 gauge and even 10 years ago they always had to seek out or special order shells ahead of time if they were not liking what the stores had in stock.
UPDATED 10-09-23
I have been thinking about this for a few days and poked around on GB. Apparently, my guesstimates were a little low. You should check out the current prices being asked. It doesn't mean they will sell for those prices, but just view as sort of a guide.
But as always, something is worth what a buyer is willing to pay, regardless what I or anyone else has to say here. You do not state if you are considering buying or selling it, but my honest opinion is that if you are a potential buyer, you might want to get one in 12 gauge. If you are a seller, you would have to see what someone is willing to pay.
I used to hunt with two friends that had Browning A5 sweet sixteens in 16 gauge and even 10 years ago they always had to seek out or special order shells ahead of time if they were not liking what the stores had in stock.
UPDATED 10-09-23
I have been thinking about this for a few days and poked around on GB. Apparently, my guesstimates were a little low. You should check out the current prices being asked. It doesn't mean they will sell for those prices, but just view as sort of a guide.
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If this winchester model 12 16ga is indeed in excellent condition value could be closer to $600 or more today so to me 450 + would be a great buy . It is all about the condition but a well used model can be the smoothest functioning shotgun ever fired . 16 gauge is still a great bird gun or small game getter or to sharpening your skills shoot clays.
Finding ammo is not hard to do around our rural county so it may be more about where you live . Sports South Warehouse is a FFL supplier with 6 brands of 16ga shot including a Fiocchi 1 buck for some venison !!
Your local gun shop can order ammo if not in stock .
Finding ammo is not hard to do around our rural county so it may be more about where you live . Sports South Warehouse is a FFL supplier with 6 brands of 16ga shot including a Fiocchi 1 buck for some venison !!
Your local gun shop can order ammo if not in stock .
LostintheOzone
US Veteran
I just went on a well known site ( a bot that tracks ammo availability) and there's over 5 pages of 16 ga offerings. 16 ga ammo isn't hard to find if you look for it. The ammo is being produced by at least four major ammo companies, including Winchester, Browning, Fiocchi and Federal. 16 ga guns are still being made by Browning, Tristar, Savage, Franchi and CZ.
Internet myths will prevail however.
Another thing to consider here is the 16 ga is perfect for upland hunting. Many upland hunters discovered that a long time ago. Probably why it's still around.
Internet myths will prevail however.
Another thing to consider here is the 16 ga is perfect for upland hunting. Many upland hunters discovered that a long time ago. Probably why it's still around.
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Charlie Foxtrott
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Which is exactly why I keep an eye out for the 16 gauges.
Because you can usually get them pretty cheaply.
Because you can usually get them pretty cheaply.
DWalt
Member
Of course one can hunt with a 28, but I'd bet that that 90% of 28 gauge shells are sold to Skeet shooters through their gun clubs. I don't remember seeing a single box of 28 on a gun store shelf. To a somewhat lesser extent about the same can be said of .410 shells. Skeet shooters probably also make up a majority of the .410 shell purchasers.
I once had a friend who was a very good trap shooter who used a 16 gauge. He was the only 16 gauge trap shooter I ever knew. And he reloaded his shells.
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12,16,20,,they are all great for bird hunting.
They all throw nearly the same load of lead, or can, and at the same vel (around 1200 fps)
The bird, rabbit, etc doesn't know the difference. Nor do they when the 3/4oz of lead at 1200fps comes from a 28ga.
There's sometimes just a little more bb's and sometimes a few less of them. Juggle the pellet size and the payload and about any gauge will do.
The guns themselves are a personal choice, of course they are. Just like a vehicle, a house or a spouse.
One gun doesn't make the shotgun round fire any better than the next.
One bbl may pattern better or worse than another.
But it's up to the shooter to take time and ammo to pattern on paper (not the local fish pond or the bark of a birch tree) to see what the bbl will do with specific loads.
Shotguns are really no different from rifles and handguns.
One load will pattern beautifully and centered. Another will be off center, another full of 'holes', etc.
Ammo for about any gauge including the really odd ones like 32ga can be bought. Cost depends on availability and demand.
Shipped to your door in most States, but shotshell ammo isn't cheap anymore nor is any ammo.
Like a 16,,then get a 16. You can buy ammo and shoot it all you want, all you can afford to shoot. You can reload for it, lots of componets available, but they are not anymore or less expensive than other gauges.
Hulls,, buy them new or once fired. Scrounge them from the local club. You'll soon have enough.
Win 12's are great guns. But the market for them and lots of other older classics is about gone.
People are paying $600 to 1K for a new Rem 870.
But it's 'New' they say.
But they're junk I say when compared to the older stuff.
It's all in how you look at it. What you expect and are willing to accept it it..
And so it goes.
It's the same old Generational Gap thing.
They all throw nearly the same load of lead, or can, and at the same vel (around 1200 fps)
The bird, rabbit, etc doesn't know the difference. Nor do they when the 3/4oz of lead at 1200fps comes from a 28ga.
There's sometimes just a little more bb's and sometimes a few less of them. Juggle the pellet size and the payload and about any gauge will do.
The guns themselves are a personal choice, of course they are. Just like a vehicle, a house or a spouse.
One gun doesn't make the shotgun round fire any better than the next.
One bbl may pattern better or worse than another.
But it's up to the shooter to take time and ammo to pattern on paper (not the local fish pond or the bark of a birch tree) to see what the bbl will do with specific loads.
Shotguns are really no different from rifles and handguns.
One load will pattern beautifully and centered. Another will be off center, another full of 'holes', etc.
Ammo for about any gauge including the really odd ones like 32ga can be bought. Cost depends on availability and demand.
Shipped to your door in most States, but shotshell ammo isn't cheap anymore nor is any ammo.
Like a 16,,then get a 16. You can buy ammo and shoot it all you want, all you can afford to shoot. You can reload for it, lots of componets available, but they are not anymore or less expensive than other gauges.
Hulls,, buy them new or once fired. Scrounge them from the local club. You'll soon have enough.
Win 12's are great guns. But the market for them and lots of other older classics is about gone.
People are paying $600 to 1K for a new Rem 870.
But it's 'New' they say.
But they're junk I say when compared to the older stuff.
It's all in how you look at it. What you expect and are willing to accept it it..
And so it goes.
It's the same old Generational Gap thing.
Sadly the days of the Winchester mdl 12/Ithaca mdl 37/Browning a5 original and Remington mdl 31 are mostly over. Those of us that loves "em" are getting a little "long in the tooth".......I do own and shoot mdl 12's and A5's.
BTW the New a5 isn't anything but a humpbacked bennelli.
BTW the New a5 isn't anything but a humpbacked bennelli.
I picked this Mod 12 16ga up last year on an online auction. With the buyer's premium, $100 shipping charge, and transfer fee, it cost me $410. Looks to be the original blue, restocked, barrel shortened to 23", pedestal bead and thin walled choke tubes installed. As far as I'm concerned, I stole it at that price. I figure the stock work alone cost someone $300. I bought two cases (500 rounds) of Fiocchi Game and Target in April for $263 delivered.
Baltimoreed11754
Member
Very nice M12 but I like the corncob pump handle over the later checkered style. We have a gal in my cas club who always runs a 1897 in 16 ga.
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