Please tell me about Remington Model 12 & Model 121 .22 Cal rifles

[crofoot629]

I have a chance to buy both a Remington Model 12 (circa 1939) and a Remington Model 121 (circa 1946).

When I was a boy my Uncle had a Model 12 I put a lot of rounds through Digger hunting in Wasco County Oregon. But that's been 40+ years ago.

Are all Model 12's pre war and all Model 121's post war?

To me they are great looking rifles and I'd be looking for plinkers with a little character for both me and my kids.

Thanks in advance,
Emory

 

[Badkarma 1]

Got 2 myself, one rifled, one smoothbore. Both get A LOT of use and tgere tiny size just makes em a handy piece to tote about the property!
BUY THEM BOTH! Dale

 

[turnerriver]

I agree-buy them both. I have a 121 & have been on the lookout for a suitable model 12 for some time now.
The model 12 was produced up until 1936; the last ones were sold by the factory in 1938. The model 121 was introduced in 1936-advertised as having a "larger stock-heavier barrel-semi beavertail forend & longer magazine". The 121 was produced until 1954 when it was replaced by the model 572.
Anyone interested in Remington .22 rifles should get a copy of "Remington .22 Rimfire Rifles" by John Gyde & Roy Marcot. It's a beautiful book.
Regards,
turnerriver

 

[2152hq]

Both are pre-war. The M12 was discontinued in the mid 1930's and replaced with the M121.
Then the 121 continued after WW2 into the mid 1950's sometime.

The entire Remington rifle lineup had an update in the mid '30's. All the models got a '1' added to their model number designations Model 8 became the 81,,Model 14 became the 141,,Model 12 the 121.
Some were dropped like the 14 1/2,,the Model 25 I think.

The ones that stayed all aquired the 'Fieldmaster' moniker I think at the same time. The stocks were updated to heavier profile, more hand filling.

Most have a few mechanical changes inside as they went from they're old models to the new.

The 121 has a few things different inside from the M12. IIRC the firing pin set up is the biggest change.
They were made in high grades too, just like the older Model 12.
Great rifles,, all of them.

 

[ancient-one]

I bought a 121 in 1950 and except for my Dad's revolver it is the last gun I would never sell. I hunted with it a lot and took very good care of it. Still almost like new.

 

[HorizontalMike]

My 1947 Remington Mod. 121 Rifle

Glad to see some Remington rifle interest on here. My father bought this new in 1947 and I got this in the late 1950s as I was coming of age. The neat part about this rifle is that it also has a 1947 Weaver K2.5 scope with matching "top U-mounts". I believe that this was the first year that Weaver produced the "K" model scopes.

Like others have indicated, I'll never sell this one either. It is just too much fun to shoot.

 

[30-30remchester]

The model 12 was designed by a man named Petersen that John Browning called the greatest gun designer ever. The interesting thing about this design is, the entire magazine tube moves when the action is operated. These guns were built in an era when Remington took great pride in their products. No plastic, stamped or cast parts. Milled steel and walnut throughout. If you are concerned about how they hold up over time, I have a relative that has had one since 1929, his only 22 rifle, and has shot it countless time and it is still working like new.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I used to own a model 12. I'm not the manliest of men, but the 121 fits me better:

It's not the only pump .22 I own, but it's my favorite. I even like it better than the Winchester 61, but I'm in the minority in that opinion.

I agree with turnerriver about the book he mentioned, it's outstanding.

 

[alwslate]

I have two md 12s, a 12A which is the standard rifle with a 22" round
barrel and a 12C with a 24" octagonal barrel and crescent steel butt-
plate. I like them very well but they are not quite as reliable in feeding
as my Winchester 61. The 12A looks and feels small and is a joy to
carry and hunt with. They must have sold in large numbers because
there seems to be lots of them around. They are common on GB and
many have seen lots of use. Corrosive 22 ammo must have still been
in common use during the early production of the 12 because many
old 12s have ruined bores. Very neat old steel and walnut guns but
any prospective buys should be given a good inspection.

 

[big&slow]

Model 12

My 1st .22 rifle was a model 12 Remington. My dad got it at a duck hunter raffle in 1958 for a $3 ticket and it was under the tree for Christmas. It had no magazine tube, so one shot at a time. I've since found the magazine tube and it resides today over my fireplace.

 

[TAROMAN]

After shooting w very old Model 12 at a friend's place, I picked up a 121.
Was told that the 12s don't take kindly to HV ammo.
Shooting mine with a full load of 21 shorts is a blast!

 

[HorizontalMike]

I am amazed at the responses from my pinging this older posting! Thanks guys!

My Remington 121 holds a very special place in my memories, in that it was the very FIRST that I was allowed to be completely in control of. That may not sound like much, but after hunting/shooting rabbit with a Remington 722 (yes, Dad & I did that when I was ~8yr old), I was stoked! BTW, the poor rabbit that I nailed with the Rem #722 was frozen in place(dead), in my uncles back pastures, and didn't even register the .222 round. You and me both say HUH! Funny how I remember that after at least 50 years... Geez, I am getting old (though I hope I NEVER get there).

I have NOT rebuilt the #722 in question, at this point, but will shortly. Yes, I feel guilty about the nearly 40-50 years of neglect that I am guilty of, of NOT firing and maintaining the rifles, BUT I vow to FIX THIS NOW!

Hey! Give me some feed back! Love to here it!

 

[ika'ika]

I now own my grandfathers 121. Circa 1942 I think. Its taken more squirrel and rabbit then any other gun anyone in my family has ever owned. My older brothers learned how to shoot on this rifle. As did I. I plan on teaching my sons to shoot with this gun. Reliable. Accurate. Beautiful... in a rustic dirty sorta way. Buy it. Shoot the fire out of it. And if you take decent care of it. It will last several lifetimes

 

[Len]

I am amazed at the responses from my pinging this older posting! Thanks guys!

Mike, welcome to the forum. Your posting to this thread is a little bittersweet, since Emory, [crofoot629] recently passed away. He was a friend to many on this forum and his posts are missed.

I think he would have enjoyed your continuation of this topic and thread. Again, welcome!

Len

 

[HorizontalMike]

Well, I am getting there. I rebuilt the Rem #121 completely and could not believe just how much better it sounded when racking/pumping. It sounded like a professional tap dance, with all of the taps distinctly tapped out in sequence. Unlike before, when things just seemed to schlopt/slide in place. Not saying this was bad, though the distinction was something to note. Needless to say that alone got me stoked at my comeback after 45-50 years.

Both the #121 and the #722 have Weaver Scopes, a #K2.5 from 1947 and a K10 from 1952, that match the rifle's year of mfg. I love them, and am determined to at least enjoy them for a few years before I get too old to do so, if you understand what I mean. I have looked out at the other "Remington" sites and have not been very impressed, due to low participation rates and all, so thanks for the input! BTW, I just got a couple hundred rounds in for the #686 that need burning as well... ;-) bought half .357 158g and half .38 "Target" rounds for obvious economic reasons...

 

[HaveSmithwillTravel]

Love this post. Been trying to find a used copy of the book Remington .22 Rimfire but no luck. Does anyone have any idea on where to look. I really like my 121 and 12. I find it hard to pass up any pump .22s by Remington and Winchester.

 

[HorizontalMike]

Make 22LR Available!

Just thought I would drop a note here as well, since I opened another thread regarding ammo. I just scored 500rd after very much search and research online. Got lucky... Can't believe just how hard it is to score the old .22LR ammo these days. Got 500rd for $50 after sales tax, but that really is not a reason to celebrate in my book. It only postpones the starvation.

NO particular political party made this shortage occur, only the political FEAR of one party. STOP the fear! And let us continue with our American way of life! I want my darn 22LR to be available TO SHOOT! Calm down folks already!