Pawn shop orphan, Model 12-3 Airweight M&P .38....

[canoeguy]

A pawn shop near me had this Model 12-3 in their case for at least the last two years, optimistically priced at $699. Has some finish wear on the muzzle, some speckling on the cylinder, straight up shooter grade in my opinion. I watched it sit there through the Covid/Social Unrest/Election gun buying panic, no takers.

My mind started wandering about that revolver, figuring out how I might trade for it. I brought some nice Buck knives into the pawn shop the other day, a 119, a 117, several smaller ones, Duke and Squire and ran them past the owner. To my surprise, he warmed up to the deal, taking the Buck knives plus $75. It is now mine:





Now, I know a little bit about Model 12's, not a whole lot. Lightweight aluminum frame, a little narrower at the grip that a normal Model 10. I know the grips are uniquely sized, other K frame grips won't fit. These grips are original. I also know you don't want to shoot a lot of +P ammo in them, and that is OK too, standard lead round nose at moderate velocity is a good fit for me.

I was curious about the weight, on my postal scale it weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces. By comparison, my Stainless Model 64 "No Dash" weighed 1 pound, 14 ounces, so the Model 12 is ten ounces lighter. A good option for all day carry and hiking...

A pic with my Model 64:



Fits nicely in an El Paso Saddlery "#2 Thumbreak" I had laying around:



I ran a few rounds through it just to make sure it was working good, shoots good in single action and double action. Sights are well regulated, and recoil is not bad in this light weight revolver with some mild cast lead handloads.

I'm looking forward to wringing this one out....

 

[sigp220.45]

Some things are just meant to be!

I had a Model 12 snub and never warmed up to it. Then I got my 4” Model 12 and don’t plan to ever part with it!

A full-sized fighting gun with great sights and a smooth action for the weight of a Model 60 and less weight than a Detective Special.

 

[k22fan]

Trading knives for guns seldom happens in pawn shops. Either that or I can't negotiate worth a darn. I sounds like you did great. The weight of a 2" Model 60 in an easier to shoot package is a good description.

[...] a little narrower at the grip that a normal Model 10. I know the grips are uniquely sized, other K frame grips won't fit. [...]

To clarify that, only the main or cyliner frame area is thinner. The grip frame is as thick as other K frames. Consequently, K frame stocks for all other models will leave a gap between their top horns and the main frame , 0.04" IIRC. The back side of standard stocks can be sanded until their top horns are close to the main frame. The standard thickness grip frame makes standard grip adapters fit.

 

[Xfuzz]

I think model 12's are underrated...received a bad
rap concerning cracking.
Carried this off an on near 20 years.
1963 Vintage...

 

[elm_creek_smith]

Just retired my 1963 vintage Model 12-2 to the safe. It's a lovely gun to carry and shot with standard pressure .38 Spl ammo, but it has a lot of "honest wear" on it. I carried it in my uniform cargo pocket with a pocket holster for years and in an old Clark holster after I retired 3 years ago. I just got a new Taurus 856 to replace it as my 2nd gun.

Sent with some arcane communications device.

 

[Engine49guy]

Pulled my 12-3 snub outta retirement last year after switching to a Model 37 for several years, the extra round is nice but honestly did it because I have a much better variety of K frame holsters.

Have been tempted to pickup a 4" Model 12 several times but they are kind of a conundrum in the opposite way of the Model 15 snub conundrum.

On a side note it's not exactly true that all other factory k stocks don't fit , the pre war service stocks fit perfect and look plenty sharp as well.

 

[Doug M.]

FWIW, while the standard velocity/pressure level .38 special can do ok as a defensive load as long your placement of rounds is sound, the RN configuration is not your friend. I would carry wadcutters before that, and a standard velocity SWC is a LOT better and no harder on the gun.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mod-12s, nice carry gun for pocket or purse. Not a constant
range gun or a trial gun for re-loads. Had one since 1970, worn? of course. Lots on the muzzle and high points of the chambers.
Still functions perfectly.

 

[Rubone]

I got a really nice 12-3 from a now gone (owner passed away) LGS about 8 years ago, it was a trade in and looks like it was barely fired, and under $400 OTD. I was happy and so was he. It is a good shooter too!

 

[sigp220.45]

I wish they would have made a 3” RB version.

 

[Targets Guy]

I got my 12-2 snubby in 2017



and my 12-3 4" barrel in 2019

 

[Mbrgr1]

My two 12s, a -2 and a -4 (regular frame)


I still have not shot them.

 

[VictorLouis]

I have never run into a -3 or -4. That is pretty neat. Neater still , is anytime you can trade KNIVES in for firearms! You now have a sweet ebony-n-ivory combo.

 

[sheepdawg]

I carry a 1964 12-2 loaded with 125 gr. standard pressure Federal Nyclad HPs. If you run across some of those at a gun show or estate sale grab them, they are the best 38 standard pressure self defense load ever made. Extremely soft lead covered in thin plastic. Reliable expansion. Federal quit making them in 2013 so finding them is tough but possible.