This old Model 12...

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XAVMECH

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Finally had some time to look this old gun over a bit. I picked it up over a year ago on a FTF buy from a fellow that had carried around in an old leather holster. Sadly, no box or paper. Doesn't appear to have been fired much from the absence of significant wear marks on the moving parts, and anodizing. The best I've been able to determine, it was early 1960's production. It is a 12-2, with a serial number of C7436XX. I have not shot it - nor do I plan to. Looks like it would be at home in an old TV detective series :-). I've looked it over very carefully for any signs of cracks in the frame around the barrel and it looks just fine. Would like to hear any input about this model that you'd care to share.
Thanks,
XAVMECH
 

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Model 12 is a good carry gun

I have a 5 screw Pre 12 with an Aluminum Cylinder, mint 99%+ condition in the box and I'm going to carry it. Call me crazy but it's mine and not going to be a safe queen. Heck, I feel that way about my pre 26's in 45 Colt and they are in the same condition.

Now I have no intentions of shooting it and will carry it with a standard load, no plus p's. I believe the 12 is safe to carry but would not recommend or shoot it. But the 12 is a great lightweight and concealable protector. So is the Model 37 expect you only have five shoots. That was my off duty gun for my entire career. It is pre 37 with a flat latch, just love the 1950's Smith and Wesson's.

Carrying the 12 reminds me of my early days of being a young police officer when I carried a Model 15. Miss those days, they were fun and the times good.

Hated going to the semi automatics as it was the end of an era. Never had a round stovepipe or jam up in a revolver, none of that tap, rack and bang stuff. Revolvers were / are trustworthy and dependable.

Enough of my semi auto rant. Time to bask in the enjoyment of retirement. Enjoy your 12.
 
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I like mine enough to make it my EDC.



I don't shoot it a lot, but I have fired it with wadcutters, and other standard pressure loads. It's got a bit more wear these days, but not a lot. Still looks pretty good actually.

Mine is in the D235XXX S/N range, which it seems to me someone told me was about 1974 or so.
 
12airweight2.jpg


This "no dash" Model 12 is a nice shooter and would make a great EDC but I'd feel guilty about the wear and tear.
 
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shadrach1938 said:
I have a 5 screw Pre 12 with an Aluminum Cylinder, mint 99%+ condition in the box and I'm going to carry it. Call me crazy but it's mine and not going to be a safe queen. Heck, I feel that way about my pre 26's in 45 Colt and they are in the same condition.

Now I have no intentions of shooting it and will carry it with a standard load, no plus p's. I believe the 12 is safe to carry but would not recommend or shoot it. But the 12 is a great lightweight and concealable protector. So is the Model 37 expect you only have five shoots. That was my off duty gun for my entire career. It is pre 37 with a flat latch, just love the 1950's Smith and Wesson's.

Carrying the 12 reminds me of my early days of being a young police officer when I carried a Model 15. Miss those days, they were fun and the times good.

Hated going to the semi automatics as it was the end of an era. Never had a round stovepipe or jam up in a revolver, none of that tap, rack and bang stuff. Revolvers were / are trustworthy and dependable.

Enough of my semi auto rant. Time to bask in the enjoyment of retirement. Enjoy your 12.
Click to expand...

Carry a gun you haven't shot? How do you know for sure what's going to happen should you ever really need it?
 
Checked over 12 before carrying.

One would obviously make sure the firearm functions before carrying it, which was done. The cylinder cycles in a perfect manner and all components function.

Sure you could still say that how do you know the firearm will function. Every indication I have is that it will and I'm confident about that. How do you know if each and every round you carry is going to work.
 
shadrach1938 said:
I have a 5 screw Pre 12 with an Aluminum Cylinder, mint 99%+ condition in the box and I'm going to carry it. Call me crazy but it's mine and not going to be a safe queen. Heck, I feel that way about my pre 26's in 45 Colt and they are in the same condition.

Now I have no intentions of shooting it and will carry it with a standard load, no plus p's. I believe the 12 is safe to carry but would not recommend or shoot it. But the 12 is a great lightweight and concealable protector. So is the Model 37 expect you only have five shoots. That was my off duty gun for my entire career. It is pre 37 with a flat latch, just love the 1950's Smith and Wesson's.

Carrying the 12 reminds me of my early days of being a young police officer when I carried a Model 15. Miss those days, they were fun and the times good.

Hated going to the semi automatics as it was the end of an era. Never had a round stovepipe or jam up in a revolver, none of that tap, rack and bang stuff. Revolvers were / are trustworthy and dependable.

Enough of my semi auto rant. Time to bask in the enjoyment of retirement. Enjoy your 12.
Click to expand...

Had to switch, most of the kids now a days can't hit the side of a barn from the inside
 
Florida J Frame said:
Carry a gun you haven't shot? How do you know for sure what's going to happen should you ever really need it?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't worry about it either. It's a Smith &Wesson K-frame. It's not like I haven't fired one before.

If it works when I dry fire it, if the firing pin can be seen in the window between the cylinder and the recoil shield, that pin IS going to hit the primer.

After that the only question is rather the cartridge is going to work.
 
John R said:
Had to switch, most of the kids now a days can't hit the side of a barn from the inside
Click to expand...

That is so true. It was scary watching the kids attempts to qualify, it was just spray and pray. The kids had limited skills and did not want to learn proper techniques, didn't have to learn because they knew it all. Sight picture and trigger pull became a thing of the past.

I was actually concerned about some of these officers having to back me up due to their lack of shooting skills. Not to mention their lack of people skills and strong desire to arrest and ticket everyone. Not like the old days when we could talk to someone to quell the situation.

Yep us old dinosaurs, we sure could shoot and handle the public.
 
CajunBass said:
I wouldn't worry about it either. It's a Smith &Wesson K-frame. It's not like I haven't fired one before.

If it works when I dry fire it, if the firing pin can be seen in the window between the cylinder and the recoil shield, that pin IS going to hit the primer.

After that the only question is rather the cartridge is going to work.
Click to expand...

That was the exact point I was trying to make. I too have shot numerous K-frames and the work like champs. Also have shot many a round through a K frame, as such you have a grasp on how they will fire.

My pre 12 is the only firearm that I have carried that I have not shot. But I am 100% confident that it will function as intended if that dreadful need arises.
 
Ya know...I was gonna jump on the "I can't believe you would carry a gun you haven't test fired...."

But, realistically....if there is no damage or wear...there is no reason it won't go bang six times...

(Although I think I would still put six rounds through it....) :)
 
I carry a 4 inch BL RB M12-3. Very comfortable in a IWB.

If you are going to carry it, I would test fire it with your carry ammo. I would shoot at least 100 rounds just to be sure it works properly. You dont need surprises on the two way range. I have seen entirely too many guns just up and quit working. Some new right out of the box after only a few rounds. Stuff happens.
 
XAVMECH,
The Model 12 is a great gun. I currently have 3; M-12-2 2" RB I carried as an off-duty gun for several years. I had a 4" RB that I also carried as my duty revolver before we made the switch to semi's. Sold it on a weak moment.

Recently picked up a 12-3 2" SB and a 12-3 4" RB. All of mine are the thinner K-frame design. The 12-4 the made on standard thickness frames and stocks (grips)

As for loads, I had to carry our issued duty ammo; WW 125 Gr. +P JHP or WW 158 Gr. +P LSWCHP when working. The M-12's were not rated for +P to my knowledge but with limited use (qualification with duty ammo) did not seem to hurt them.

Today, I use standard WW 148 HBWC loads for practice and defense or Federal 125 Gr. Nyclad LHP (std. pressure). Enjoy you gun.
 
Just one more point on the test firing subject. My like new TRR8, a $1200 Performance Center N frame, fired just fine single action but gave light primer strikes double action and failed to fire. A quick trip to the mother ship solved the issue. I'm very glad I found this problem at the range and not some night when I really needed it (bed side gun). Just because it's a Smith doesn't guarantee it will be perfect and dry-fire would not have shown this problem. I still think 100 rounds through any self defense gun is worthwhile.
 
XAVMECH

You asked for input, first Congratulations that's a nice S&W that isn't being made anymore.
You said you didn't have any plans to fire it. That's your choice, & I respect that it's a nice old gun that should be taken care of.
However part of me says they were made to be used & I think I'd carry it NOT WITH +P, but there are some good non +P loads out there. It'd be a dream to carry light, & easy on the hips.
At any rate CONGRATULATIONS & Thanks for sharing a nice gun with us.
 
I bought these two 12-2s a few years ago. Both are cosmetically challenged but don't look like they were fired but maybe a few rounds each. My guess is that they came from a security company.

The pencil barrel balances nicely with the round butt...





Not sure what I am going to do with them as I rarely carry a .38 Special for self-defense....

Bob
 
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I am going to follow this thread just to see the nice S&Ws shown.
Sit back, put up my feet, & get another cup of coffee!

Thanks everyone.
 
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