Model 12 Love?

[TAROMAN]

Been a while since I've started a new thread. So it's time to make amends.
Model 10's, 64's and earlier M&Ps get most of the interest here as well they should. Lot's of them out there.
Now it's time for their little forgotten sibling, the Model 12.
Damned by some as being fragile, they still serve faithfully for many more.
Here's mine, a -3. Few years back, the LGS owner phoned that he had "an old S&W" that might interest me.
In it's shopworn box, no safe queen.
Used but obviously cared for, it came with it's own S&W branded basketweave holster.
I carry it from time to time, loaded with my dwindling sypply of Federal Nyclads. That's mine, now let's see yours.

 

[k22fan]

Like most things on the internet the tales of the Model 12's fragility are exaggerated. There does seem to be a lot more love here for Model 12 snubs than the 4" square butt variation. The snubs had a significant LEO following back in revolver days. Their grip frame fits most people better than the J frame grip making them easier to shoot accurately.

 

[Xfuzz]

Likely my favorite snub.
When I first joined this forum a
member was trying to see if the revolver
would develope the much expounded upon
"crack".
Ran a coupe thousands (iirc) rounds thru his with no
problems.

Here is a 12-2 from 63/64...must have been
a dresser drawer revolver.

 

[silversnake]

Model 12 will be my next revolver purchase as soon as I find one at a good price.

 

[Targets Guy]

I just picked up a 12-2 three weeks ago. Great little snubby. Good shooter and matching stocks.



I had to buy this gun for the set of AF stocks from the 1950's I had for it.

 

[sigp220.45]

I love my 4" Model 12 - it carries like it isn't even there, but shoots like a full sized gun.

I had a 2" Model 12 for a while, but foolishly traded it off.

 

[SFIDEC]

Here is M-12's older brother. In certain light conditions you can see the steel cylinder and barrel. Fine revolvers they are. Thanks for starting the thread.

 

[AZretired]

Love the M12. I would love to see S&W release a new version of the M12 that is +P safe and without the IL.

 

[Sixgun100]

I've often commented and thought a 3 inch, RB standard/tapered barrel Model 12 rated for +P would one cool revolver......

 

[silversnake]

Love the M12. I would love to see S&W release a new version of the M12 that is +P safe and without the IL.

Doubt that will ever happen but perhaps Colt could be convinced to release an aluminum-frame new Cobra (which is what it should have been in the first place).

 

[sigp220.45]

Likely my favorite snub.
When I first joined this forum a
member was trying to see if the revolver
would develope the much expounded upon
"crack".
Ran a coupe thousands (iirc) rounds thru his with no
problems.

That was our former moderator, Osprey. The thread still makes good reading, especially if you are nostalgic for Saxon Pig's take on the wimpiness of +P ammo.

He ran 1,000 rounds of factory +P through his Model 12, with no discernible effect. His hands took a good beating, but the gun was fine.

+P Through a Model 12: THE TEST...is done!!!!

I carry mine with the old Federal +P+ 147 grain Hydra-Shok (P38HS2G - pictured above). I shot enough of my precious stash to verify point of impact, and generally practice with my milder reloads (because I'm cheap). If I had more of the Hydra-Shoks I wouldn't hesitate to shoot them through this gun.

 

[TAROMAN]

Love the M12. I would love to see S&W release a new version of the M12 that is +P safe and without the IL.

Me, too.
Unfortunately I snoozed and missed it.
The 315 Night Guard 38 Special:

 

[AZretired]

Me, too.
Unfortunately I snoozed and missed it.
The 315 Night Guard 38 Special:

I forgot about the Night guard, though I never did like the sight. The good old fashioned fixed sights are all that's needed on that short a barrel.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[howiema]

This is what happened after a friend shot 6 federal nyclads out of my favorite model 12 - crack below the barrel- I loved that gun. Well got some nice parts out of it.

Good Luck

Pete

 

[silversnake]

This is what happened after a friend shot 6 federal nyclads out of my favorite model 12 - crack below the barrel- I loved that gun. Well got some nice parts out of it.

Good Luck

Pete

That sucks. Could the barrel have been overtorqued? Federal Nyclad is not exactly known for being high pressure.

 

[sigp220.45]

This is what happened after a friend shot 6 federal nyclads out of my favorite model 12 - crack below the barrel- I loved that gun. Well got some nice parts out of it.

Good Luck

Pete

I bet you could have shot that gun for another 20 years with no problem.

If anyone has a cracked frame Model 12 they want to sell, lemme know. I'd like to test my theory.

 

[howiema]

I bet you could have shot that gun for another 20 years with no problem.

If anyone has a cracked frame Model 12 they want to sell, lemme know. I'd like to test my theory.

The Nyclads he shot out this revolver were 158 grain +p , I gave him the rounds for carry in his model 19 snubby, He took out and tried shooting out of the model 12- foolishly. The crack was separated when the barrel was still in so I decided not to run it.

I love the model 12, good grab Taroman, good luck with it

Pete

 

[TAROMAN]

I shot the regular Nyclad 125 JHP without issue.

Never knew there was a +P 158 variant.
Agree a 12 with that crack would likely continue to shoot just fine.

 

[Mzuri]

I just got my first 12 this week. It's a 12-1 SB. I had been eyeing it in a pawn shop for several years before I decided to take the plunge and buy it. On it's first trip to the range it suffered from light strikes, but with advice from the forum I able to get it going (strain screw was loose). I am now quite pleased with it and plan to carry it.

 

[Twiki357]

Here's my 12-2. Just got it a few weeks ago. Very cosmetically challenged but mechanically excellent. I sure wish it were as pretty as some of those already posted.

 

[bmesw49]

Every time someone mentions a Model 12 on the forum, I shed a tear. I purchased mine brand new May 1, 1968 for the grand sum of $65.00.

I sold it on July 2, 2002 for $200 after 34 years of ownership. I parted with the pistol, but kept the purchase and sale paperwork. Wish I could buy it back for $200.

I still miss it, but have a Model 49 for carry that was the personal weapon of a retired NY City police officer until he passed.

 

[guesser]

My Model 12 (no dash)

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I picked my 12-2 2" up about 12-13 years ago. I wasn't a Glock and Ohio didn't have CCW yet so it was cheap for a medium condition gun nobody wanted!

Ivan

 

[Alk8944]

This is what happened after a friend shot 6 federal nyclads out of my favorite model 12 - crack below the barrel- I loved that gun. Well got some nice parts out of it.

Good Luck

Pete

If you have all the parts for that Model 12 I will give you $200 for it. Seriously, send me a PM if you are interested.