Due to a death in the family I now am the new owner of a Smith&Wesson Model 12-2. It is not blue it is a white colored light weight metal, I have seen a few articles that say this is not safe to fire. the serial number is D8550**. Could someone please tell me what I have, and when it was made.
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Model 12-2 is this safe?
- Thread starter lay2004
- Start date
Black_Sheep
Well-known member
White colored? Model 12's could be had in blue or nickel finishes. The frames are aluminum alloy with a steel barrel and cylinder. Some very early production 12's had an aluminum cylinder, they are not considered safe to shoot. Your gun should have a steel cylinder, to be sure check it with a magnet. Before firing check the frame for cracking where the barrel threads into the frame, there have been reports of cracking due to overtorquing the barrel when the guns are assembled. If in doubt have a gunsmith look it over before heading to the range.
If you can post up a picture it might help determine what finish is on your revolver.
P.S. I shoot my 12 "no dash" all the time...
If you can post up a picture it might help determine what finish is on your revolver.
P.S. I shoot my 12 "no dash" all the time...
It looks like your 12-2 Airweight was made in 1968. That was the year that the diamond grips were phased out and I'm curious if yours is wearing original wood? Hopefully yes, as it helps the value. S&W usually stamped the s/n on the inside of the right grip panel. My family has a .38 M&P Airweight, which would later become the Model 12 in 1957. Until production of the 12-4 began in 1984, this model had a thicker frame than standard k-frame revolvers. Accordingly, using standard k frame grips will leave a gap between the upper grip horn and the frame.
The early ones had an alloy frame and should not be fired. Model 12's are nice guns. Pictures would be great if possible!
Todd
The early ones had an alloy frame and should not be fired. Model 12's are nice guns. Pictures would be great if possible!
Todd
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Is the whole gun white or just the frame? Sounds like someone has removed the black anodized finish from the alloy frame.
IF it looks like this, it is nickel plated.
I carry mine quite often and shoot only standard velocity .38 special ammunition.
Mine is the 12-4 version that does not require special stocks.
Nice gun and quite desireable.
I carry mine quite often and shoot only standard velocity .38 special ammunition.
Mine is the 12-4 version that does not require special stocks.
Nice gun and quite desireable.
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Tired Gunsmith
Well-known member
Mod 12-2
It seems that there is an error in a reply.
The aluminum alloy Military & Police/Model 12 is thinner than the steel counterpart.
A 12-2 with the number you indicate should safely handle standard .38 special loads IF ther is no crack on the botom side of the frame opening wher the barrel is screwed in.
Most of the crackes from stress frames by the way occured in the "J" frame revolvers. ( I never saw a cracked "K" due to stress of the barrel installation).
It seems that there is an error in a reply.
The aluminum alloy Military & Police/Model 12 is thinner than the steel counterpart.
A 12-2 with the number you indicate should safely handle standard .38 special loads IF ther is no crack on the botom side of the frame opening wher the barrel is screwed in.
Most of the crackes from stress frames by the way occured in the "J" frame revolvers. ( I never saw a cracked "K" due to stress of the barrel installation).
Black_Sheep
Well-known member
I have personally never seen a cracked frame but someone posted pictures of cracked Airweight K Frames on this forum. It sounds like a rare occurance but it has happened.
Here's a Model 12 in blue, if you look closely the frame color differs slightly from the cylinder, barrel and crane.
Here's a Model 12 in blue, if you look closely the frame color differs slightly from the cylinder, barrel and crane.
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Tired Gunsmith says "It seems that there is an error in a reply.
The aluminum alloy Military & Police/Model 12 is thinner than the steel counterpart."
He's correct - my bad. Thanks for the correction. That's what I love about the Forum. If one person doesn't know, someone else probably does.
Todd
The aluminum alloy Military & Police/Model 12 is thinner than the steel counterpart."
He's correct - my bad. Thanks for the correction. That's what I love about the Forum. If one person doesn't know, someone else probably does.
Todd
Black_Sheep
Well-known member
I don't have my SCSW handy but I believe -3 and later Model 12's had the same frame width as their all steel M&P counterparts. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong...
Alk8944
US Veteran
OK, you're wrong. It is the 12-4 that is the same width as the steel K-Frame guns. There is nothing after the 12-4.
Another common error, and you did not appear to make it, is that the grip frame of the Model 12 series is thinner, this is not correct! All K-Frame revolvers have the grip frame the same thickness. It is the major thickness/width of the frame that is .080 thinner than the steel frame guns.
Your information on Aluminum cylinders is incorrect too. No model marked Model 12 ever had the Aluminum cylinder, this is a warning and complication that does not need to be given. Aluminum cylinders were only used from 1952-1954 in the .38 Military & Police Airweight. This is not a Model 12. It was three years after the Aluminum cylinder was discontinued before this became the Model 12, in 1957. Your remark with the photo of a blue M-12 is non-sensical. While true for a blue gun, there is no difference in the Nickel between the frame/sideplate and all other parts of the gun which are steel. The Nickel doesn't care what base metal it is being applied over.
lay2004, your Model 12-2 is completely safe to fire with all standard pressure .38 Special ammunition, as long as it is mechanically sound. You should take it to a local gunsmith to have it inspected to verify this since we cannot examine the gun "hands-on".
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