Any Model 12's Out There?
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NFrameFred
Member
It's a must have for anyone who seriously collects K frames, but there aren't that many floating around compared to the other airweight models.
I had one and traded it off for a Colt I had been after. Carried a lot and shot a little was the idea but the finish on these doesn't seem to hold up as well as the newer offerings in the light guns so when you find one it's usually ragged out finish-wise or almost like new from non-use. The 4" ones turn up from time-to-time but they just don't seem to get a lot of love here.
I had one and traded it off for a Colt I had been after. Carried a lot and shot a little was the idea but the finish on these doesn't seem to hold up as well as the newer offerings in the light guns so when you find one it's usually ragged out finish-wise or almost like new from non-use. The 4" ones turn up from time-to-time but they just don't seem to get a lot of love here.
Florida J Frame
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Here's my pawn shop save. The only "unfired" Smith I own.
Attachments
Here's my 1975 vintage Police Dept marked RB 2" Model 12-2. The usual story, carried a lot, but shot very little. This one came with the original box and this set of vintage magna's in the box. I have retained the original stocks, but like these ones more.
Engine49guy
Member
A Model 12 thread pops up occasionally but how about a little more info on your nickel snub is it a RB or a SB and which dash revision ?
The nickel snub RB is probably the least encountered and most desirable and the blue snub SB is the most common,
Also more 4" Round butts seem to pop up than square when you would think it would be the opposite.
The advantage of the Model 12 over the Model 37 is it has a 6 round capacity where the J frame 38 specials have only 5 round capacity ,
On the other hand the J frame 38 is alot smaller and easier to conceal which probably led to the Model 12's demise.
Besides the usual Airweight black finish being prone to wear the Model 12's achilles heal is they are occasionally found with a cracked frame under the forcing cone so their barrels should not be changed for fear of cracking the frame .
Also of interest is the Mod 12 has a slightly longer cylinder than the Model 10 and except for the 12-4 version the older versions all have thinner grips (although Model 10 grips can be sanded thinner to fit) .
The earliest 5 screw Model 12's had aluminum cylinders which although very collectable should not be fired.
The nickel snub RB is probably the least encountered and most desirable and the blue snub SB is the most common,
Also more 4" Round butts seem to pop up than square when you would think it would be the opposite.
The advantage of the Model 12 over the Model 37 is it has a 6 round capacity where the J frame 38 specials have only 5 round capacity ,
On the other hand the J frame 38 is alot smaller and easier to conceal which probably led to the Model 12's demise.
Besides the usual Airweight black finish being prone to wear the Model 12's achilles heal is they are occasionally found with a cracked frame under the forcing cone so their barrels should not be changed for fear of cracking the frame .
Also of interest is the Mod 12 has a slightly longer cylinder than the Model 10 and except for the 12-4 version the older versions all have thinner grips (although Model 10 grips can be sanded thinner to fit) .
The earliest 5 screw Model 12's had aluminum cylinders which although very collectable should not be fired.
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I have a 12-2,4in bbl,SB I have fired it 12 or 18 times. It is a nice handling revolver. It looks so good and the temp is -3 and dropping so I'll get the Ren-wax out and play with the 12 a little tonight. Glad you posted now I have something besides TV tonight.
Reasonably priced used ones are still out there. Picked up this pair of 12-2's this month for $400 each. 1968 vintage (top); 1965 vintage (lower).
Pics taken with phone right after shooting them; they look much better cleaned up.
Pics taken with phone right after shooting them; they look much better cleaned up.
I have a 2" 4 screw square butt M12. It is a nice shooter, and a joy to carry. The stocks are well worn, like a used bar of soap, and feel really nice in the hand. I have not seen other 2" M12s with the square butt. I think it looks rather different, and I really like mine.
Then again, I'm kind of a dinosaur anyway.
Think I'm in good company here.
Jim
Then again, I'm kind of a dinosaur anyway.
Think I'm in good company here.
Jim
Black_Sheep
Member
This Model 12 "no dash" was my 1st K-Frame...
AveragEd
Member
I had this 12-2 for a long time and didn't shoot more than a cylinder or two of shells in it. About two years ago, I decided to sell it as I'm not really into snub-nose handguns.
I think I got $450 for it with a holster. Guess I should have kept it...
Ed
I think I got $450 for it with a holster. Guess I should have kept it...
Ed
Rio Vista Slim
Member
Having owned a slew of Smith & Wesson revolvers in the 1970s, I am very fond of their line of guns. A Model 12 was one of my first purchases after turning 21 in 1970. Foolishly it was either sold or traded away, which was the fate of all those wonderful revolvers. Their was a local hang-out (gas station) where many of us (cops included) swapped stories and guns in equal portions. I really miss those good old times!
The pictured revolver showed up recently at a local gun shop, and I snatched it up before anyone else noticed it. While it has some noticeable surface wear, mechanically it's perfect. No one had messed with the side plate screws.
In the 70s, you could get Bianchi and Safariland leather made specifically for whatever revolver you owned. The pictured Galco holster is made to fit guns with 2 or 3 inch barrels. Thus, the overhang of leather at the bottom of the holster.
Accurate and light to carry, my Model 12 sees some concealed use, but not as much as my newer 637.
While I don't get carried away with searching for "grail" guns, I always check the new and used revolver sections of gun stores for some of these old "classics".
JCS&W
US Veteran
I have had mine quite a while. Finding them is not quite the issue, finidng them with all or most of the finish can be an issue.
44wheelman
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Bought a 2" Sq butt. years ago at a gunshow for cheap. Put it away, never shot it. Got it out one day to "play" with it. Upon further inspection, very fine almost unnoticeable crack in the frame under bbl....be carefull to closely inspect those M12's when buying used.
owenwd54
Member
I had a model 12 rb 2" and it had been an old police trade in shot it a lot and finally swapped it away . But missed it and bought another one .I have not shot it any have it locked up and saving it for a rainy day. I really like the model 12 wish they still made them. Just think if they would make them out of scandium and blued them like the old ones.
