Model 12

[ken158]

Why is there no love for the S&W model 12 on this site?

Because nobody is slobbering over a model 12 does not mean owners do not like it. On the other hand, lots of frame crack history issues will turn it into a paperweight have caused many to dump them before they became useless. Perfect for a carry gun that will not be shot much… but I was on the line once during semi annual qualifications when a detective was shooting his 4" model 12 and the frame broke and the barrel fell off… The dept only had maybe half a dozen of them and immediately pulled them out of service and replaced them with model 36's. Not sure if the 12's went back to S&W or a police distributor took them on trade.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

My LGS has a 12-3 for $999 it appears mint and likely a "nightstand gun".

 

[Rubone]

I recently picked up another little brother of the Model 12. I have a 3" flat latch model 37 Airweight but just picked up this model of 1955 (pre 43 for those who need to know) 3-1/2" Airweight 22. The 37 and the '55 with its model 34 siblings.

 

[jamesallen]

I carry one sometimes but my Colt Cobra is my main carry revolver.

Do you mean a new Colt Cobra, like from 2017, or an old Colt Cobra from back in the day?

 

[JES517]

Two 12-2's.

 

[jrlj]

Would love to own a 12-2

 

[housedog]

I have owned a half dozen in the last 30 years, and regularly today shoot/carry a 12-2 or 12-3. I have come to accept that frame cracking as stated above either happened when or because the barrel was torqued on too hard at the factory or it won't happen. One of mine easily has about 5K rounds with no problems.

I did have a frame crack on a 442 some years ago, not with +P ammo and I attribute that failure to this same issue of over torque at the factory.

Osprey did a 1,000 round +P torture test on his M12 and documented it here, no frame cracking.

https://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-r...ugh-model-12-test-done.html?79395=#post766307

I too wish for a scandium version, and a 3" version, but the only hope for that is if influencers outside the S&W organization who S&W will listen to will lobby for it, see the recent 432UC/632UC and the whole UC series.

Instead of lobbying S&W for it we should be lobbying Jason at Lipsey's plus Darrel Bolke and Bryan Eastridge to push S&W to make one. They got the UC series done right. It is selling. They actually have some influence.

 

[sheepdawg]

Do you mean a new Colt Cobra, like from 2017, or an old Colt Cobra from back in the day?

The new Cobra ain't a Cobra, I don't care what Colt says.

 

[BarryinIN]

And I just snagged my third, only moments ago off Gunbroker. A SB 2" 12-1 flat latch.