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.
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