THE 12 GAUGE

[kmyers]

One that we would love to find is one of the replicas of the Winchester 1887 shotguns that you see at times. Better half does like the idea of a 12 gauge but with short arm length she admits that she would most likely short stroke it while with a lever action probably no issues.

 

[roo_ster]

I wish I could find a decent quality exposed hammer side by side 12 gauge or 10-gauge for home defense and or self-defense. On the low end, all that is available Chinese trash or $800 + Turkish guns imported by c z.

 

[Borderboss]

I wish I could find a decent quality exposed hammer side by side 12 gauge or 10-gauge for home defense and or self-defense. On the low end, all that is available Chinese trash or $800 + Turkish guns imported by c z.

It would seem that an exposed hammer gun would be somewhat slow to bring to bear when the need arises.

 

[D Brown]

Besides the 870s I have a few others, a Stevens 311 in 20 from 1951, a Savage 24 in .223 over 20, A Rossi Overland open hammer coach in 12, and an L.C. Smith in 20. I guess I like shotguns!

I like 'em too! My Shotguns

If you have some you like, take some photos to share with your fellow Forum Members when you have time.

 

[roo_ster]

It would seem that an exposed hammer gun would be somewhat slow to bring to bear when the need arises.

Maybe so if stored dry, but if stored with loaded chambers & hammers down, I see little difference relative to a pump stored cruiser ready.

What appeals to me in the SxS exposed hammer, double trigger shotgun for HD/SD is:
1. Simpler manual of arms relative to other repeaters
2. Store loaded indefinitely with no springs compressed
3. Lighter and shorter than pump or semi with same length bbl
4. Capability to use shorty buckshot & slug shells with no impact on function

I ended up building my wife a HD shotgun with a 12ga 870 Police Magnum using some innovative bits that she (as a smaller woman) could shoot relatively easily. But it would have been a straighter path with a double-barrel, double-trigger, exposed hammer shotgun. And the end product would have been lighter and shorter.

 

[shocker]

Are hammer guns drop safe?

 

[white cloud]

My shotguns don't need bells/whistles/lights/side saddles or hood scoops........All they need is a magazine full of shells and a steady hand.

I am in your camp. Simple is better for shotguns. I had a .22 and a Model 12 in 12 gauge as "my guns" when growing up (still have them). Pump shotguns makes sense to me. Running one is second nature and I have little doubt about the close range effectiveness. If things are not going well at 2:00 AM I hope my Mossberg is around.

 

[roo_ster]

Are hammer guns drop safe?

Good question. I do know NYC issued SxS shotguns up through the late part of the 20th century.

Another:
Are pump & semi-auto guns with internal hammers drop safe?

Last:
Does it matter for a long gun?

We're talking a drop on the muzzle from some height for a "non-drop safe" shotgun. Most long guns, rotated to be perpendicular to the earth from a carry position, are "already there" in many cases. Meaning, there is mighty little drop or distance over which to accelerate relative to a hand gun.

This issue, while interesting, may not be significant for HD/SD shotguns.

 

[cowboy4evr]

We only had one shotgun in the house as a boy growing up so it was what I started out shooting at a very young age . It had been my dad's grandfathers gun originally that had been passed down . An Ithica double barrel with external hammers and barrels about 38" long . It was a custom build for him . I almost forgot to mention , it's a " 10 gauge Magnum " . I didn't shoot it a lot , but I bought shells for it and I did shoot it . I still have it today . Regards, Paul

 

[HardToHandle]

The Rem 870 was introduced in 1950.
The AR-15 was introduced in 1957.
Those whipper snappers carrying the then new Mattel rifle are now collecting social security. So are most folks with an 870.

I own both. Both have a long history, are still in production and have elaborate, varied support chains. For me, they are not one-to-one comparison nor interchangeable.

 

[1coolcat]

I have a question for the obsessed gents who hunt
For game birds and rabbits in the dense brush
What has been your experience .
I've hunted most of my youth..but it was rifle..deer.. fox.. tree rats..
When I was about 12yrs old my mother bake a goose..and it was the most nasty bird I ever ate.
Since that moment I've never had any interest in any bird..other then a moving target..that was our reactive targets as kids..direct hit..poof!! We were rewarded with a shower of plumage ..pretty nest up by today's standards..but then I dont remember birds ever carried virus to kill humans..leads me to believe we were all out side as kids blasting birds and kept there numbers in check..very important job for a youngster.
Haha
Anyway..
I'm lost..oh..so I've read that I dont need anything but a 20ga for my intended purpose..
My buddy say if I buy a .20ga hes going to make fun of me till the day I die unless that 20ga is for the wife.
His thinking..only gun that exists is the .12 ga you buy the 12ga and tune the choke and ammo to its intended use..but under no circumstances am I to purchase a .20 ga with out picking up a dress to go with it..
I dont see the point of throwing a sledgehammer through the woods to kill a bird.do I seek a .12 ga..or is it ok for me to get a .20 ga and not get made fun of.
I was actually looking at the stoegers..looks to be a very nice gun for the money..and there owned by Beretta I believe..
What to do

 

[JohnRippert]

Now you have shotguns and then you have the Winchester Model 12.

Or the Stevens 520/620 family of take downs. This one is a 16ga.

 

[opaul]

I love riot guns.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

For me it was Corporal Dwayne Hicks from ALIENS.

Except polymer framed pistols actually tend to recoil harder than steel-framed pistols because they're lighter in weight and polymer doesn't do much to absorb recoil forces.

Honestly, I'm no stranger to poking fun at young men these days for their effeminate choices in attire such as man-buns and leggings, (don't even get me started on the emasculating travesty that is manscaping) but their ain't nothin' wimpy about anybody who has the guts to take their safety seriously by choosing to carry a firearm for Self-Defense, especially in the modern day when the media does everything in its power to defame those who exercise their Second Amendment rights, and those Fisher Price pistols recoil a heck of a lot more than your very manly metal-framed pistols.

Just sayin'.

To each his own. I leave those emasculated pieces on the store shelf.

 

[opaul]

Ah, riotguns, my weakness.
I've got a bunch including Winchester, Remington, Ithaca, High Standard, Stevens, S&W, and Benelli

Is that the Winchester 1200 or 1300? How do you like it? I'm actually looking at a model 1300 for sale.
I'm thinking now it's the newer 1300 based on the receiver stock fit up..

 

[Echo40]

To each his own. I leave those emasculated pieces on the store shelf.

As long as you aren't also leaving your all metal pistols at home because they're too heavy and you've only got to run to the store, fine by me.

Personally, I overcame my biased against polymer framed pistols once I realized just how easy they were to carry. There were times when I left my gun at home because it was uncomfortable to carry on hot summer days and I didn't like having to strap it on for a quick run to the store, so I bought an LCP that I could easily carry in the pocket of a pair of drawstring shorts, just as a tool for self-defense, but quickly grew to love it. I've since bought a S&W SW40VE which has replaced my all metal guns for carry because it's lighter, less expensive, and less pretty, so I won't lose any sleep if it ends up in an evidence locker post usage in self-defense.

 

[ServiceGun]

Is that the Winchester 1200 or 1300? How do you like it? I'm actually looking at a model 1300 for sale.
I'm thinking now it's the newer 1300 based on the receiver stock fit up..

Pictured are an Ohio National Guard Remington 870, another 870, and the bottom gun is an Ithaca 37. I have both a Winchester 97 and 12 but somehow haven't picked up a 1200 or 1300. Yet

 

[growr]

90 plus replies and only 2 mentioned the Winchester 1200-1300 shotguns....Is there a problem that I am not aware of?

Randy

 

[SC_Mike]

Moss 590 A1

Rem 870P Before and after:

Rem 870 18 inch refinished myself, before and after:

 

[scooter123]

I've become a real fan of the 12 gage, enough to be set up to load my own shotshells and have a bit of a collection. Started shooting Trap in 2018 and since then I've picked up 2 pumps, 1 semi, 2 O/U, and 1 SxS. My favorite load is a 1 ounce 2 3/4 dram load of # 7.5 shot, right now have about 1200 of these hand loads boxed and ready for a trip to the range. BTW, between Trap, Skeet, and Sporting Clays I can have weekends where I'll go thru 150 or even 200 shells, so 1200 is really just a month or two supply.

PS; my House Gun is a Remington 870 Field and Home kit. So, it's loaded with 5 rounds of #1 buck sitting handy with it's 18.5 inch barrel. Seems way short compared to my 30 inch sporting shotguns but I've shot Trap with it using the 28 inch barrel and function is 100% perfect. It's also a very good Trap gun with a wonderful sight picture.