model 12 question

[bearpugh4570]

whats the story on these. don't see a lot of them. do folks not like them? i understand they're alloy frame. will they handle a little +p or is it a no no?

 

[kaaskop49]

There are relatively few of them, compared to the steel-frame Model 10. They're nice guns, especially in the snub 2" bbl model. I find the early aluminum frame Smiths painful to fire, even with standard pressure LRN service ammo. Sure, it'll handle a few +Ps for practice. Modern +P loads, unlike the planet-wreckers of the early 70s, are much over-rated as to velocity and pressure anyway.

 

[bearpugh4570]

thats what i'm thinking. i've never been one to run a steady diet of +p"s thru anything. enough to practice with and carry is all.

 

[Ashlander]

I know an older Air Force pistol instructor who has no respect for the Model 12 at all. He pretty much derided them as disposable guns.

 

[ADP3]

I carried a 4" Pencil Barrel Round Butt Model 12 in a light weight shoulder rig through much of the 1980's. It served me well and was never a burden. Pachmayr Compacs on it made it very easy to shoot. I carried Plus-P Winchester LSWC-HP's in it and fired about 50 rounds of them through the gun each year with no ill effects. I'd pick up another one in a heartbeat if I came across one.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[bearpugh4570]

the one i'm looking at is the 2 in. made i'm guessing late 70's. pinned barrel.

 

[bearpugh4570]

I know an older Air Force pistol instructor who has no respect for the Model 12 at all. He pretty much derided them as disposable guns.

some of the 1st ones had aluminum cylinders. lots of probs with cracking.

 

[Old cop]

The Air Force instructor may have been talking about the models w/alloy cylinders. The models w/steel cylinders are shoot-able, the others are collectable.

 

[captainjohnsofd]

Before you purchase this revolver open the cylinder and look at the frame directly under where the barrel threads into the frame. That is the spot where cracks show up, possibly from hot loads or the barrel being over torqued during assembly. Regardless if it is cracked DO NOT buy it. The factory will not repair it. It is not safe to shoot.

 

[ColbyBruce]

To the OP, Tucker Gun had S&W 12 with a 4" barrel a few weeks ago. About a 1.5 drive for you, maybe less depending on the traffic.

 

[kaaskop49]

attn ColbyBruce

To the OP, Tucker Gun had S&W 12 with a 4" barrel a few weeks ago. About a 1.5 drive for you, maybe less depending on the traffic.

There you go again, Colby! You're the guy!

 

[P&R Fan]

the one i'm looking at is the 2 in. made i'm guessing late 70's. pinned barrel.

If you can get a decent deal buy it.
I have a 2" 4 Screw M12 that was made in the early '60s. Square butt, with stocks that feel like a used bar of soap. Very comfortable. I carry it loaded with +Ps, and have shot enough of them in it to know where they will impact on the target. No problems at all.
Most people who have one of these are going to hang onto them. I certainly will.
Jim

 

[VictorLouis]

My EDC, and one which S&W would do well to bring back. I don't mean the NiteGuard series, either. Think about it. IF they can make a ScTi J-frame in .357 these days, I would think a Sc/Al frame coupled with a still cylinder would make a fine K-platform.

pressure LRN service ammo. Sure, it'll handle a few +Ps for practice.

I don't really enjoy the recoil from .45 in a full-size steel 1911. I don't find the m12 IN ANY WAY objectionable.

 

[ironhead7544]

I have a 4 inch M12-3 and use it for carry sometimes. 18oz is light for a 4 inch. Never really heard anything bad about them. The frames have been known to crack sometimes if you remove the barrel. I have no plans to do that. +P for carry and standard for practice.

 

[bearpugh4570]

thanks guys. i think she'll be a sweetie. i'll post pics when i get it. 2 in rndbutt.

 

[Coaltminer]

Had 2, a -2 and -3, much preferred them to J's, a bit larger frame you could get hold of yet still light. Matter of fact, I carried steel K frames in 2 and 3 inch and was happy

 

[bearpugh4570]

i wonder why the model 12 would be considered any less robust than any of the modern al framed smiths? this one was made around 1976.

 

[bearpugh4570]

quick question. the one i'm getting is a 2 in rb. does anyone have one that can tell me how the recoil is?

 

[ironhead7544]

With standard or +p ammo recoil is no problem for me. It is a little bit more than a steel framed gun but no big deal.

 

[RussellD]

There was a member of this forum that fired over 5,000 rounds through a model 12 without a problem. these are great carry guns. I gave one to my mother to keep in her nightstand because she preferred the lighter weight vs the model 10.

the frame cracking rumors seem to be a result of over tightening at the factory than shooting too many rounds.

 

[VictorLouis]

Some time back, I read of an article where a fellow studied the reloading manuals of earlier eras. Much hotter fodder than today. So, I am confident that TODAY'S +P was pretty much standard fare of the time. YMMV

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I have a Model 12 4", steel cylinder as I recall (it hasn't been touched in awhile so, seriously, I don't recall!) and I only shoot Hornady's light loads through it. But I think they're cool and if you're collecting S&W .38s, well, they fit perfectly!

***GRJ***

 

[bearpugh4570]

i only ask because this will be my only handgun. i'm handicapped and don't handle recoil like i used to. the 12 will be used and not gonna live in a safe. i would likely shoot very few +p's.

 

[loc n load]

Model 12

i only ask because this will be my only handgun. i'm handicapped and don't handle recoil like i used to. the 12 will be used and not gonna live in a safe. i would likely shoot very few +p's.

Don't be afraid to shoot your 12....they are quite serviceable & not fragile ...I have a SQ BT 2" mod 12 that I bought in the 70's that I have fired several thousand rds of std velocity 38 loads thru with a batch of +P equalivant loads every so often because they are what I carried in it and my other snub's.....Over the decades I have used this revolver as a trainer for novice shooters that I was instructing how to shoot handguns......it has served in that role well and I still shoot it when I feel the urge.

 

[VictorLouis]

i only ask because this will be my only handgun. i'm handicapped and don't handle recoil like i used to. the 12 will be used and not gonna live in a safe. i would likely shoot very few +p's.

Yes, buy and use with confidence. Buffalo Bore makes a nice lead 158HP at standard velocity of about 830fps. All K-frame grips will 'fit, with the caveat that you'll have a visible gap between the frame and horns at the top on the -1,-2, or -3. So, if you need goodyears to help with handling the recoil, you're still going to be ok.

 

[Dark Knight]

I bought a new nickle square butt 2inch back in the mid 80's. It's a great gun.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

The Model 12 recoils more than a 10, but if the grips fit your hand, there should be no problem, particularly with standard pressure ammo.

 

[ibewbull]

I know where an 85% 4 inch sq butt 12 is.
I think OTD at $375 the wear is just from a holster.

A 10-8 in this area is about $350 in 98%
I am thinking about it.

 

[JM4151]

Model 12 revolver

Back in the 1980's I had two of them with 2 inch bbl s. The first was a used blued model and the second was a nkl that I bought new. I had a desk job in those days and I didn't need a larger gun. With semi auto's coming into use, I sold both, they were nice guns. I am sure that you are aware that the dementions are a little smaller than a std K frame gun. Its thinner. They fit in a K frame holster, but are a little loose. The k frame grips will not fit though. I had to qualify with them twice a year with no problems.

 

[TAROMAN]

Count me among those who would like to see S&W make a new Model 12.
Carry mine frequently loaded with Speer Gold Dot non +Ps.