Doriangray6
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- Joined
- Jan 7, 2025
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- 211
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- 510
Just picked up a well worn Winchester model 12 chambered in 20 gauge with a 23.5" barrel that, as far as I can determine, was made in 1923.
It was filthy and had a bit of surface rust along with some nicks and dings as you would expect from a 100+ year old firearm but after a good cleaning and lubing it works smoothly and locks up tight.
I enjoy shooting shotguns but I'm a lousy shot with them, I can hit the broad side of a barn but only if I'm inside it
, so primarily I have them for home defense and though I have a 16 gauge model 97 I prefer 20 gauge because it's kinder to my old shoulders.
The Winchester model 12s, like their model 97s, can be slam fired. After I showed my grandson how to use this feature he loved to dump a tube of 16 gauge out of my model 97 into a target.
It was filthy and had a bit of surface rust along with some nicks and dings as you would expect from a 100+ year old firearm but after a good cleaning and lubing it works smoothly and locks up tight.
I enjoy shooting shotguns but I'm a lousy shot with them, I can hit the broad side of a barn but only if I'm inside it

The Winchester model 12s, like their model 97s, can be slam fired. After I showed my grandson how to use this feature he loved to dump a tube of 16 gauge out of my model 97 into a target.
