Model 12

[Brush Buster]

I know this is a little off topic of double guns ,but I know some of you guys have to collect Model 12 Winchesters , I have recently found a very nice Model 12 Win.a 1952 Model in 20 Ga. w/ a left handed safety , My question is can this safety be reversed to fit a right handed shooter ?

[Don Kaas]

It can be reversed but you will need the standard Winchester part. The LH safety is likely a Williams after market item.

[Brush Buster]

Don; Thank you much for the info. The gun is in real nice cond. really about the only wear is on the left side of the receiver ,looks as if maybe a hunter with a dog ,either a pointing breed or maybe a Beagle owner ,that didn't carry the gun at " Port Arms " but carried the gun in his left hand until he was ready to shoot ,if you put the gun in your left hand the only blue, wear is under your palm and a little on the top left edge of the receiver ! Thanks again !! Russ

[Steve McCarty]

While you probably already know this, but Winchester made the model 12 in 20 gauge first. I always thought that was strange. The 20 gauge gun, as you now know, is fast to bring to shoulder. Early ones have short chambers in both 20 and 12 gauge...don't know about the 16's.

I prefer well worn nickle steel marked guns, but for no real reason. I just like'em. Frankly the older a Model 12 looks the better I like it, as long as it is not too worn out and works. Brownell sells a shim that you can put in front of the barrel to tighten a loose barrel to like new. Works on a 12 or 16 and I believe on a 97 too.

[winplumber]

You should not have to buy anything to tighten up either gun . I always used the adjusting ring on both . Unless the early guns didnt have them

[Steve McCarty]

Originally Posted by Steve Huffman

You should not have to buy anything to tighten up either gun . I always used the adjusting ring on both . Unless the early guns didnt have them

So do you unscrew those two little screws one sees in the face of that ring inside the breech to draw it forward to tighten the barrel in the gun? I have never tried that. I just let them be and dropped in the shim which worked fine. The 1923 Model 12, which has seen a lot of use, is now tight as a drum.

[winplumber]

no on the rear of the barrel assembly

[Bill Murphy]

A 1952 Model 12 20 gauge should still be in the first notch of the takeup feature and still be tight. A 1952 20 gauge Model 12 will have a 2 3/4" chamber. Great guns.

[gman]

"I prefer well worn nickle steel marked guns..."

They are so nice when well worn. My NS fully opens when pointed upright and you push the slide release. My 20 gauge needs about another couple hundred thousand rounds through it to get there. I also like the 12 in 26" Mod. - it is a fast handling gun and was great on ducks in the era when lead was king.

[Steve McCarty]

Originally Posted by Steve Huffman

no on the rear of the barrel assembly

Thanks, Steve. Got a gun right here. I'll take a look.

Got it. Is the little screw on the rear of the barrel assembly that is alongside the end of the barrel supposed to be screwed in flush?