is a 12-3 a steel cylinder

[ABPOS]

just curious. might be able to trade into one

[ABPOS]

LGS has one. It's a 12-3. I forgot to get the serial number. I did make sure it was a round butt, but I should've checked the serial while the butt was off. Cylinder gap was at .007. But my only thing is it seems like it locks up simultaneous with the hammer dropping in DA. Seems a little bit close. Not before. Is that bad?

Not sure where my pics are going. I've sent them twice to my email but they're not showing up..... Ugh.

[dmn57]

Unless modified for some unknown reason, the cylinder should be steel. I've got a 12-2. Not sure I completely understand the lockup question, but I've always checked tightness when the hammer is being dropped.

[ABPOS]

In double action, a lot of times I can feel the smiths bolt dropping in the notch before the hammer drops. But this one seems like it's happening at the same time. Which could be late.... possibly.

I didn't try it with snap caps though.

[Targets Guy]

Yes it is. Same for my 12-2.

[ABPOS]

I'm trying to get pics up but it is in nice shape.

[ABPOS]

[Alk8944]

ALL model marked M&P Airweight revolvers have steel cylinders. The Airweight revolvers with Aluminum cylinders went away in 1954, 4 years before model marking.

[colt_saa]

Originally Posted by ABPOS

LGS has one. It's a 12-3. I forgot to get the serial number. I did make sure it was a round butt,

I thought all of the 38 Special Airweight M&Ps were round butt

My 1953 shipped 5 screw is round butt

Are these some of these that are square butt?

[ABPOS]

It's a round butt underneath those awful grips. LOL. The gun store guy took them off for me. Actually, they don't feel that bad in the hand. But are too big for a carry option I think. I wonder if they're square butt grips on a round butt gun...

It does feel kind of odd being so light and the size it is.......

That is beautiful Colt SAA. How do you guys like shooting these? Have you ever carried it? Seems like it would be a wise choice for carrying.

[31FordA]

Originally Posted by colt_saa

I thought all of the 38 Special Airweight M&Ps were round butt

They made the Model 12 in both round and square butt, 2” and 4” barrels. The frame on the 12 thru 12-3 is actually narrower than a steel K frame, so the standard K frame grips don’t fit properly on a 12. The 12-4 uses the same dimensions as the steel K frames, so the grips do interchange on those.

I have a very nice 1972 vintage 12-2 snub. It’s a great gun, and what I carry when I’m off the clock. I’d buy another in a minute if I ran across one.

[ABPOS]

I've been going on trying to look for grips to see. But I'm not sure the grip makers know the difference. I read another thread where someone sanded down the grips on each side of the inside flats to get them to fit right. Seems like it wouldn't be too hard.

I might have sold my XD to make the purchase so now I have to decide between the 12 and 637.... If I went with the 12 I'd need new grips and a new holster. I found some el cheapos that would probably work. But the lock up was definitely better on the 637. I'm a bit concerned about how late the bolt drops in the notch with the 12. I need to bring snap caps and check it out. They want less money for the 12. Only 300. Seems like a no brainer but I want one that works and shoots well. I'm ok with no plus p because i don't like shooting them in airweights anyways.

[Eddietruett]

If I ran into that for $300 the pictures would have been taken at my house as long as the frame wasn’t cracked. The last 3 mod 12’s I’ve seen had cracked frames and owners had no idea. I recently drove an hour to buy one. Owner had sent me pictures and it was pristine. When I got to his house he told me he had just shot 25 rounds through it to make sure it functioned correctly. When I saw a box of +P ammo on the table my heart sunk. Opened the cylinder and there was a nice crack! Not sure if it had just happened but he had ruined a beautiful gun.

[Coaltminer]

Originally Posted by ABPOS

LGS has one. It's a 12-3. I forgot to get the serial number. I did make sure it was a round butt, but I should've checked the serial while the butt was off. Cylinder gap was at .007. But my only thing is it seems like it locks up simultaneous with the hammer dropping in DA. Seems a little bit close. Not before. Is that bad?

Not sure where my pics are going. I've sent them twice to my email but they're not showing up..... Ugh.

I’ve had 2” 12-2 and 12-3 nickel, both had steel cylinders. The 12-2 was an Ohio Dept. of Correction gun but no special markings. The -2 was much smoother da than 12-3, but I think that’s an individual thing. Great guns, the J frame is too small for my hands with standard grips, the K frame is just right, not much heavier than a steel J. They were built with a thinner frame, but later changed to the width of normal K frames, but I don’t know what dash.

[Xfuzz]

One of Smith's most under rated models...
$300.00 is a steal.
My 1963 vintage model 12.

[ABPOS]

Well I'm going to buy the J frame or this one and now you guys got me second guessing. LOL. I think for me the wise move is the J frame cuz I already have a holster that works with it..... And I'm not sure I want to try and square away grips. But danged if this isn't making me think twice.

[Bosquebass]

If that model 12 is in good shape mechanically I'd be on it like a duck on a June bug. A fella can find deals on modern alloy J frames any day of the week but a fine old piece like that 12 doesn't come around that often at a decent price.

[Jeppo]

I was fortunate enough to grab a very nice condition 1960 Model 12 last week. It now lives with my 12-1 and Pre 12.

[gmborkovic]

I met a dealer in Tulsa that had a 2" and 4" in round and square in
blue and nickel. All boxes matched. All eight had a very handsome price on them as a set.

[Muley Gil]

All it takes to see if it is steel or aluminum is a magnet. I keep a fridge magnet stuck to the inside of my truck cab.

[ABPOS]

Well, if something else of mine sells, maybe I'll go back and buy it. But I bought the 637.