Something different on the course- not a SxS

[Frank Srebro]

Lately I've been doing some sporting clays shooting with a couple of Winchester Model 12 pump guns that have been gathering dust in the safe. Here's one of my old pets that went out with the gang this morning, a straight grip 2-pin "duckbill" vent rib Trap gun. Made in 1942 and still strutting her stuff with 89 ex 100 today. I missed 5 targets on the first 25 while getting into the gun, and only 6 on the next 75. She's choked "Full" at 35 points ..... so nice to turn clays into dust when I do my part.

Well she's not a Parker or a Fox but is just as much fun to shoot against modern competition wonder guns. Actually more fun for me because my gang is used to me shooting SxS's but the M 12's throw them for a loop. She's on the right in this cell pic.

frank

[charlie cleveland]

nice guns....charlie

[Allen Peterson]

an 8 bore as compared to a 28 inch barreled 12 ga parker . I don't know why the 8 has two barrels you cant see anything through the smoke after the first shot. a 13.5 lb monster.
http://i449.photobucket.com/albums/qq216/simcgunner/8and%20parker_zpse4uzpy5e.jpg (http://s449.photobucket.com/user/simcgunner/media/8and%20parker_zpse4uzpy5e.jpg.html)

[bob weeman]

Love to see those old 12's in use. I have an old trap gun I shoot as well as any of my other guns. What is the gun on the far left? Don't recognize it?

[Frank Srebro]

The far left gun is a Beretta A400 Xcel. They're fairly popular hereabouts with competitive sporting clays men. Some like the blue anodized receiver, others make jokes about the color that I can't repeat here. There's never a dull moment with my shooting gang.

[Mike Franzen]

I love the model 12. You gave me a good idea Steve about taking mine to a SC shoot. That would send Harry into a tizzy :eek:

[Fred Lauer]

At the local trap range there are 10 or so young fellas that shoot the blue A400's commonly called SMURF guns. One of them asked to shoot my SC Parker so we traded guns and by luck I ran them with the auto loader. He then told me where I could get a good buy on a new Beretta, I told him I'd just as soon shoot a 23 with the Parker as a 25 with something else. As Frank mentions though it is interesting to get something out of the back of the safe and have a go at it once in a while. I have to hand it to you though shooting a full choke for sporting, I know I ain't good enough to be comfortable with that.

[charlie cleveland]

i really like the 8 ga posted here is it a parker please give some info on this gun...charlie

[Allen Peterson]

Charlie its an Enos James. A Birmingham gunmaker who was known to make big waterfowling guns. I put the 12 ga parker in the picture to show size. It was in rough shape when I got it. I had the barrels stripped and relaid and is in very good shape now.

[charlie cleveland]

thanks for the info...i too have a model 12 winchester but it aint been outside in some time i do shoot a sears and roebuck pump 20 ga which is a humpback built on browning patent....charlie

[Daryl Corona]

Sweet Frank. There really is'nt a better pointing gun than the M12. I've got a 1940 solid rib 2 barrel set that I take out every now and then just to keep her happy. The problem is I can't shoot my favorite light loads in her as the recoil is'nt sufficient enough to unlock the bolt. I've got to remember to push the forearm forward.

It would kind of neat to shoot a round with the old M12's either at Ernie's or Mike's in the fall.

[James J. Roberts]

I have a M-12 that a perfect candidate for engraving just need to replace the butt stock with some new fancy wood.The M-12 is the best pump shotgun ever made. J.J.

[todd allen]

I love the M-12, and have done some good work with one. That said, if you want to raise the cool factor a notch or two, take a M-97 with a Damascus barrel out on the clay course.

[John Dallas]

For my money, the Remmie M31 is the best pump, followed by the Ithaca M37

[Frank Cronin]

Really nice shooting Frank. I wasn't there but I know there was a lot of DIESEL SMOKE with a Winchester choked FULL shot with today's modern ammunition. My Winchester Black Diamond '97 Trap is printing 80% or better at 40 yards with the same .035 choke you have. The Winchesters I have patterned on paper pattern beautifully.

I really like the straight grip to your M12.

[Frank Srebro]

Thanks everyone. Yes Frank, "diesel smoke" was heard more than once yesterday. It's just my opinion but shooting sporting clays with a tight choke makes you a better hunting shot with any choke. You hit or miss, and if you miss you'd better figure out why. It's not about fringe hitting the clays with open chokes or spreaders and smiling with that X on the score card. Again this is JMO. Daryl, I'd like to shoot a round with you, Frank and other vintage pump gun guys either at Hidden Hollow at the end of the month or at Rock Mtn in September, or both. Maybe we can get some others to join in?

Best repeating shotgun ever made ..... my vote goes for the Model 12; and those with a sighting rib whether solid or vented are way cool pointing and shooting guns. JME.

frank

[Daryl Corona]

Sounds like a fun side event Frank. I'll drag my M12 up to Ernie's next week and welcome anyone else to join in with Frank and I with your favorite vintage pump.

[Rich Anderson]

At one time I had the M12 bug in a big way but they have all gone to other homes. My favorite was a M12 20ga skeet gun. I did just buy a "new" M42 solid rib skeet gun but as it's never been fired I'll find someone who wants it more than I do. I have always like the M12 but the M42's are just as nice.

[Dave Suponski]

I love my Model 12,s. But I find the 42,s a bit light in the front end

[Frank Cronin]

Frank, Daryl - I'm in. I'll be bringing a really special 20 gauge with 32" barrel.

I won't go into the M12 vs M31 debate. I own both -- like both - and each can hold their own.

But I will say the Remington Model 17 pump gun built specifically for only the 20 gauge shell is one heck of a gun. The one I have weighs a lively 6.0 lbs on the nose with a 30" barrel that carries, points, swings like a pool cue and delivers death whatever you point at.

[Daryl Corona]

OK Frank, how much do you want for it?:whistle: That sounds like a fantastic gun. Is the 32" 20 a M12 or what. I'm just nuts for 20 ga. guns.

[Frank Srebro]

It sounds like we'll have a small informal pump gun round at the upcoming Northeast SxS. Anyone else?

So today I shot a Veterans support organization's benefit shoot with another Model 12 with the factory 2 pin Vent Rib - this one a 12-gauge Skeet gun made in 1948. She's nicely restocked in thinshell and has a Niedner steel buttplate. I don't know who did the wood work. There were about 90 shooters in 4 person squads - "shotgun start" on 25 stations - and our squad came in with the high score = 374/400. My three buds used competition autoloaders and their eyes just about popped out when I pulled that old Winchester 26-incher out of its case at our start station. Priceless! :rotf:

Here she is. frank

[Mike.Smith]

Count me in, sounds like fun. I've never tried to shoot clays with mine, but killed lots of Doves with it when I was a kid. It would be good to knock the dust off of her. Full choke 20ga too Daryl. :)

Mike

[Rich Anderson]

Some one lend me a gun and I'll play. I could bring a M42 I suppose.

[todd allen]

Frank, that is one beautiful M-12!

[Frank Srebro]

And here's another Model 12 VR Trap gun (1955) and a Model 21 Skeet gun in 16-gauge (1948) that were funning it up today on Rock Mountain's sporting clays course. Talk about two very different guns!