Winchester 20 gauge Model 12 value

[rchall]

Saw a Model 12 at a gun shop locally and wondering what it’s value might be?? 20 gauge with a 25” barrel and solid rib. Early model, not marked as a 2 3/4” chamber so assume it’s probably 2 1/2”. 75-80% original wood and metal finish. Nice old gun, used but not abused. Thanks for any info. about this!

 

[Bullet Bob]

How about some information from you - what are they asking?

 

[rchall]

Probably close to $700

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I bought one made in 1921 earlier this year.

Not much bluing left but very clean and tight otherwise. It has the short chamber. Federal 2-3/4" shells and the 2-5/8" shells that S&B makes will run just fine through it. The Winchester 2-3/4" shells load and fire fine but get hung up on the ejection port when trying to eject. I paid five bills for it. I like it well enough at a very handy size but some 2-3/4" shells will just not run out of it.

 

[diyj98]

I may be wrong, but I don't think they had a 25" barrel. Maybe it's 26" or perhaps cut. Values vary in different areas of the country, but assuming it's not cut, $700 would be high in my neck of the woods for it in 75-80 percent condition.

 

[Skeet 028]

No they had a 25 incher..guarantee it is 2 1/2. As stated some will shoot 2 3/4 but not all. and generally patterns are not great. Easy fix. 75% blue is alot for a nickle steel gun. Solid rib adds a bit...but M-12s are not bringing what they used to. 500 bucks is more than enough. As far as being tight....very easy to do....for a while. I collected them for years...esp small gauges

 

[backer]

Unless they are in totally mint condition, and priced right, I do not
see much reason to spend good money on a model 12. Back in the day they were wonderful shotguns but that was a long time ago and an 870 will do everything a model 12 will do, costs less money, and you can still get parts if they break.
Just the opinion of an "old" bird hunter that has owned several model 12s over the years.
Bob

 

[Skeet 028]

Backer kinda gets it right...but the 870 was never the equal of the M-12 or Rems own 31. Pats aren't hard to find for M-12s esp 12 ga. Fro a max 0f 120 or so I am down to about 20...but only 4 12 ga's a trap a factory skeet w/cutts a Pigeon grade skeet and a gun I got from my father...a 1st year 12 ga(1915) to which I found complete front ends and fitted them so I have a 30 full 28 mod and 26 IC...all from before 1920. the others are all mostly 20 ga a couple 16s and 4 28 ga. And a couple M-42s also. BTW early 870s are costing more than most M-12 these days

 

[Bald1]

Unless they are in totally mint condition, and priced right, I do not
see much reason to spend good money on a model 12. Back in the day they were wonderful shotguns but that was a long time ago and an 870 will do everything a model 12 will do, costs less money, and you can still get parts if they break.
Just the opinion of an "old" bird hunter that has owned several model 12s over the years.
Bob

By that logic we should all buy Taurus revolvers.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

They made them with 25" barrels.

I may be wrong, but I don't think they had a 25" barrel. Maybe it's 26" or perhaps cut. Values vary in different areas of the country, but assuming it's not cut, $700 would be high in my neck of the woods for it in 75-80 percent condition.

The one that I bought earlier this year has a 25" barrel. Makes for a pretty handy little scatter gun.

 

[DWalt]

Not much bluing left but very clean and tight otherwise. It has the short chamber. Federal 2-3/4" shells and the 2-5/8 shells that S&B makes will run just fine through it. The Winchester 2-3/4" shells load and fire fine but get hung up on the ejection port when trying to eject. I paid five bills for it. I like it well enough at a very handy size but some 2-3/4" shells will just not run out of it.

I had the opposite situation. My 1912 in 20 gauge 2-1/2" is fine with Winchester and Remington 2-3/4 plastic shells, but not Federal plastics. The Federal cases are slightly too long to clear the ejection port. Never tried S&B shells. There is nothing hazardous about firing longer shells in shorter chambers, contrary to what some apparently believe. The real problem is ejection port clearance with some guns. The first 1912s made were only in 20 gauge. Other gauges came later. I have found the hard way with my gun that removing a Federal empty stuck in the ejection port is a tougher job than you might imagine.

 

[Drm50]

I’ve sold 3 really nice model 12s in last year, 2 12g and a 16g. Got $600@
20g would have brought $800 in same condition. There are many M12s and Ithaca 37s with honest wear for $300-$400. Most of wear is on finish not running gears. The Remington 31 was another classic milled gun. This is true in 12 & 16s. The smaller bores bring more. The guns of lesser status like Savage Stevens , Hi-Standard, ect $100-$200 for a really nice one.
To compare m12 to a 870 is a joke. Apples & oranges. Rem 870 and Moss 500 have won the race to the bottom, for now. They aren’t much different from the $129.95 pumps from Turkey. I can put off a shell with a piece of pipe and a nail, but it don’t have much class. It’s like comparing a RG to a S&W K22.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I am guessing that actual length from lot to lot might happen. quite a bit.

I had the opposite situation. My 1912 in 20 gauge 2-1/2" is fine with Winchester and Remington 2-3/4 plastic shells, but not Federal plastics. The Federal cases are slightly too long to clear the ejection port. Never tried S&B shells. There is nothing hazardous about firing longer shells in shorter chambers, contrary to what some apparently believe. The real problem is ejection port clearance with some guns. The first 1912s made were only in 20 gauge. Other gauges came later. I have found the hard way with my gun that removing a Federal empty stuck in the ejection port is a tougher job than you might imagine.

That is the only thing that makes sense to me.

 

[DWalt]

I once made a simple tool to trim Federal 20 gauge empties to reload for my 1912 by cutting a short piece of 3/4" PVC pipe to 2-1/2" as a guide for trimming cases to length with a single edge razor blade. It works OK, but generally I just used Winchester AA cases without trimming. Regarding the previous comment regarding patterns of longer shells shot in shorter chambers, I never patterned my 1912. But it must have shot fairly good patterns as I used it for Skeet for a long time. I shot about the same Skeet scores as with my 20 gauge Browning Citori Superlight.

BTW, the fired AA and Remington cases measure at about 2.61-2.62" NOT 2.75"

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

I found a 1914 M1912 20 ga last year with a ugly polychoke at a cabelas. Had no idea there was such a Model 12 critter. Paid 380.00 but it was roughish. Going to make a riot out of it. Love the cute downsized action. Just like my downsized Model 30 Marlin 20 ga. I’ve bought 2 other 12 ga M12s as donors for builds since my retirement. A terrific shotgun.

 

[alwslate]

I have a couple of 12 ga Winchester model 12s and three in 16 ga that I managed to find fairly cheap on GB a few years ago. I like the 16 ga models because they are made on the smaller 20 ga frames rather than the 12 ga frame size like most other pump guns.

 

[Babysitr]

That looks like correct (orig) wood, and if the wrist of the stock isn't cracked....bore is likely good....I think that's fair...disclaimer, I am a M12 nut

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Unless they are in totally mint condition, and priced right, I do not
see much reason to spend good money on a model 12. Back in the day they were wonderful shotguns but that was a long time ago and an 870 will do everything a model 12 will do, costs less money, and you can still get parts if they break.
Just the opinion of an "old" bird hunter that has owned several model 12s over the years.
Bob

BUT.....The 870 doesn't have the panache of the mdl 12. Never will...I own and shoot both.

 

[LostintheOzone]

I’ve sold 3 really nice model 12s in last year, 2 12g and a 16g. Got $600@
20g would have brought $800 in same condition. There are many M12s and Ithaca 37s with honest wear for $300-$400. Most of wear is on finish not running gears. The Remington 31 was another classic milled gun. This is true in 12 & 16s. The smaller bores bring more. The guns of lesser status like Savage Stevens , Hi-Standard, ect $100-$200 for a really nice one.
To compare m12 to a 870 is a joke. Apples & oranges. Rem 870 and Moss 500 have won the race to the bottom, for now. They aren’t much different from the $129.95 pumps from Turkey. I can put off a shell with a piece of pipe and a nail, but it don’t have much class. It’s like comparing a RG to a S&W K22.

It might be hard to compare a M12 to a new 870. M12 hasn't been made since 1964. Granted, they were the Cadillac of pump shotguns, and I would have purchased a new one in 1970 if I could have. Sadly they were gone so I bought a Wingmaster. I still have it and it's been a peach of a shotgun. The design was flawless and simple, the reason they're still around.

 

[LostintheOzone]

BUT.....The 870 doesn't have the panache of the mdl 12. Never will...I own and shoot both.