Would you trust a 12-3?

[TNFrank]

Local guy has a S&W 12-3 Airweight K-Frame for sale. From the pics it looks like it's in good shape. He's asking $415 which I personally think is a bit much, $350 would be more like it IMHO but I'm a cheap skate so there ya' go. Anyway, my handloads are all standard pressure, 158gr home cast over 4.3grs of Unique but I do like to carry +P for "Social" work and Home Defense. I just don't know if I'd trust this alloy frame revolver to hold up to a lot of shooting of even standard pressure loads.
For those of ya'll that have one or had one how do they hold up to shooting and would I just be better off to look for a standard steel K-Frame 38spl?

 

[-db-]

I'm sure the debate continues but there's that older thread somewhere here where a gentleman puts some multiple thousand +Ps through a Model 12 with no apparent ill effect.

 

[murphydog]

With lots of standard loads and the occasional +P round, you will probably wear out before the gun does . A steel K frame would erase all doubts you might have, however.

 

[arfmel]

I wouldn't have any problem trusting my life to a Model 12-3.

 

[TNFrank]

Thanks for the replies so far. I guess the main "dog" of the 12's was the one with the aluminum cylinder. Once they got that fixed they're pretty much like any other alloy frame 38spl.
Once I can get some funds together I might e-mail the guy with an offer unless I can just find an all steel K-Frame that I like better. Talk to ya'll later.

 

[photoman]

Would love to have a Model 12, 2" barrel, round butt (that isn't cracked under the barrel)! Shoot the snot out of it. If it breaks, buy another.

 

[OFT II]

I'm sure the debate continues but there's that older thread somewhere here where a gentleman puts some multiple thousand +Ps through a Model 12 with no apparent ill effect.

If I remember right that fellow's name was "Osprey". I haven't seen him post in quite a while.

 

[geoff40]

-db- is referring to one of our forum members who put several thousand rounds of (I think it was) +P ammunition through a 12, over a period of time but deliberately, to see if the gun would suffer. It did not, and I think you can trust that it is tough enough.

 

[Engine49guy]

While I would agree that the price is high for a blue/black snub SB its a decent price if it is a nickel RB snub.
Is the one your looking at a snub or a 4" barrel, round or square butt and is the finish black or nickel?

The Model 12 is unique in that its the only Airweight K frame.
The aluminum Model 12's only advantage over the Model 10 is weight.

If you might use it for CCW the K Airweight is lighter than an all steel version but its heavier and larger than a Model 37.
It does have 6 rounds of 38 special vs 5 in the Model 37 J frame.

If your intention is to do lots of shooting and weight isnt an issue all steel Model 10's are fairly cheap and plentiful.
Better yet get a Stainless steel version and you wont have to worry about the finish either......All IMHO.
Good luck either way and keep us posted.

 

[-db-]

Here's the thread I was referring to above (and a correction: slightly more than 1K +Ps were put through the gun, not multiple thousands): http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1961-1980/79395-p-through-model-12-test-done.html

 

[chp]

My M12 is by FAR my favorite K Frame for carry. Love it.

 

[TNFrank]

It's a 4" tapered barrel, square butt, blue model.
I guess since my 642 has an alloy frame and is rated for +P that a K-Frame would hold up to what little bit of +P I'd put through it. IIRC I actually had a Model 12 like this one quite a few years ago(hard to remember I've owned so many guns over the years) and it was nice and light for a K-Frame.
I guess if I can come up with some funds I'll e-mail the guy and ask what his bottom dollar would be. I think $415 is a bit much for something like this, heck, I can get a used Sig Pro, 40cal, 12+1 from Mark at Summit Gun Brokers for $325, by the time I add FFL fees and stuff it'd be $375 out the door, can't see putting anywhere near that into something like this. Maybe the guy will come to his senses and go $325 on it, that'd be about right IMHO. Oh well, thanks for the info and replies, I'll keep ya'll posted.

 

[TNFrank]

E-mailed him today to see what his bottom dollar would be. Guess we'll have to wait and see since it looks like no one has been interested in this revolver. Think it'd make a nice House Gun for my wife but I've got to get it at the right price.