Harrington & Richardson M12

[Calfed]

Some months back I glommed an H&R M12 at an estate auction. It didn't come with sights, but did have a rare Ken Viani scope rail. The rifle looked to be in excellent condition.

I had an issue with the rifle (trigger and/or bolt was dirty) which took a little time to sort out.

During the sorting out, I discovered that the prior owner had bedded the action.

I finally mounted a 6-20 Weaver Grand Slam and got a chance to sight in the H&R a few days ago. I didn't have much time, so mainly concentrated on establishing what kind of "waterline" the rifle would hold.

I got it on paper with some cheap ammo and then switched to Eley tennex. The wind was varying from a left 45 degree cross wind to about a right 45 degree crosswind. Top line was my first 5. Made an adjustment and got a second line. Then made a very small adjustment and put three in the upper left quadrant of the orange dot. This rifle seems like it has some promise.

50 yards with Eley tennex

 

[ColbyBruce]

I had one years ago. The Vianni mount cost me $150.00 with Express Mail shipping. I had a Redfield 12x AO scope on it. It would shoot like a laser. I sold it to help pay for a Browning B78, I think.

 

[Ross3914]

I used to shoot one on the ROTC rifle team. It was a nice. One day the AMTU came by on a mobile training tour and showed us how to really shoot. That one day was some great training.

They are great rifles.

 

[growr]

Very similar to the vaunted 52 Winchester....they are not that finicky about ammo....Wait until you have a calm day to see what Eley Tenex can really do!!

Randy

 

[ColbyBruce]

FYI, the stocks are made from some heavy duty wood. If you go to sand and refinish that one, an alcohol base stain is necessary as regular stains will not penetrate it.

 

[Calfed]

Thanks, guys.

I really lucked out on this. A few months after winning the M12, I glommed this Redfield Palma sight...

 

[Valmet]

Nice rig OP- they are undervalued rifles IMO.

 

[wbraswell]

I love the old heavy target .22s. That M12 is a keeper. When the ammo shortage goes away, I'd buy several types of target ammo to try in it.

 

[tt66]

That is a good looking rifle !

I really like the old training rifles. I won a M12 this weekend and will pick it up tomorrow. The main reason that I bought was because it is wearing a Unertl Super Varmint scope. I have a Remington 513T, a Mossburg 44US and a Kimber 82G, they all wear palma type sights.
Edited to add the pics.

Tim

 

[Calfed]

Thanks, guys. I've also got an H&R M5200...similar to the M12, but with a dark walnut stock.

 

[AJ]

The H&R M12 & 5200 are copies of the Winchester 52D. I had about six of them that I got from CMP quite a few years back All shot acceptably and a couple shot very good. If you shoot it a lot, you will want to move to a 52D or 52E. That Vianni mount is worth quite a bit of change nowadays, best mount for the Winchester late B's through the E's.

 

[Frank46]

Bought my H&R M12 when they first became available. $300 with the Palma rear sight, Redfield Olympic front globe sight a baggie containing about 30 inserts for the globe sight and of course the rifle. Took it the range after I mounted a 24x Redfield 3200. Got it sighted in and was making small holes in the target. Took the scope off and stuck the Palma sight on and spent a little more time getting it sighted. Haven't shot it in years. Covid has all the local ranges closed. And as one member mentioned once you get the dark brown stock stain and sealer off, definitely use an alcohol based stain as he said it won't penetrate. Better yet, try minwax wood conditioned. What it's used as a pre treatment for wood that is going to be stained. It does something to the wood so it will more readily accept the stain. I'm thinking that these stocks are either birch or beech and do not have a grain structure like walnut or cherry. That and the fact that you have to get off the wood all the old military stain. One 40x single shot stock formerly owned by the Gov't was so heavily stained,I'd still be in the garage sanding it off. I literally had to get a double edged paint scraper Red Devil brand) sharpen the bladed and scrape on the wood until I got down to good clean wood. Then and only then can you use various grits of either sand paper or my personal favorite silicon carbide wet or dry paper. I started out at 240 grit and stopped at 600 grit. Then I use some 4/0 steel wool to get all the whiskers off the wood. Ist coat is a heavy one as I sand back to the bare wood. your filling the pores of the wood with whatever finish you use Tru Oil or Linspeed. Or if you wish stain first and to see how it looks. I normally use a small paint brush about 1/2" wide. I also use the 4/0 steel wool to even out the stain. Then oil to your tastes. Frank

 

[Beemerguy53]

About 17 years ago, I bought an H&R Model 12 at my LGS for a song. It was great mechanically, but hadn't been well-cared for cosmetically. It had a bit of surface rust on the barrel, and the finish on the stock was worn.

I took it home, disassembled it, and went to work. I cleaned the rust off, cold-blued it where needed, and refinished the stock.

To this day, it's one of my favorite rifles. It outshoots my Kimber Model 89, (bought from the CMP), and all of my other .22s. It'll be passed on to my sons someday...

 

[Frank46]

The stock on the H&R M12 isn't a stock, it's a piece of timber. And the whole rifle isn't a light weight either. Had a chance to get a spare stock at a local gun show for cheap. Walked away and when I made up my mind to get it, was gone. You snooze you loose. Was going to lower the cheek piece but didn't want to sacrifice the original stock. No doubt about it, that's one stock to get a good cheek weld. Frank

 

[Calfed]

That is a good looking rifle !

I really like the old training rifles. I won a M12 this weekend and will pick it up tomorrow. The main reason that I bought was because it is wearing a Unertl Super Varmint scope. I have a Remington 513T, a Mossburg 44US and a Kimber 82G, they all wear palma type sights.
Edited to add the pics.

Tim

Nice collection, tt!

I love .22 target rifles and those are some nice ones. One of mine, a BSA Martini MKV has a Lyman 20X STS...