Model 12 winchester 16 ga.

[nid-28]

Model 97's were made in 12 and 16 gauge. No 20's--although a few 20 ga. conversions are around. They are not factory guns!

[wayne goerres]

My apologies.You are correct. I let my fingers get ahead of my brain.

[Duckman]

I traded off 4 M-12s (2 in 12 , a 20 and a 16) plus a M-42, a 62 A and a 61 to acquire the 32" DHE I showed awhile back. Those winchesters are great but I like the 32" Parker better and feel good about the exchange. I kept my M-12 trap just to have one and my son has a 16ga M-12 so we're still covered.
-plc-

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Peter Clark

I traded off 4 M-12s (2 in 12 , a 20 and a 16) plus a M-42, a 62 A and a 61 to acquire the 32" DHE I showed awhile back. Those winchesters are great but I like the 32" Parker better and feel good about the exchange. I kept my M-12 trap just to have one and my son has a 16ga M-12 so we're still covered.
-plc-

Yep sounds like you are covered.

I like Model 12s because they are all steel and if all of the springs and bits inside are okay they work well. I own several modern shotguns that have alloy receivers, a Browning Gold Fusion and Win Model 59 (not all that modern) and like them for field work, but when shooting clays, skeet, trap I find a heavier steel gun balances better and is not as whippy.

I think pumps may come back. When autos became reliable (even tho my Model 11 works very well) they pretty much replaced pumps. But pumps are neat.

[Autumn Daze]

A friend once described shooting a Model 12 is like driving a standard shift. So when I feel like driving a stick shift I use a Model 12.....

[Duckman]

Originally Posted by Steve McCarty

Yep sounds like you are covered.

I like Model 12s because they are all steel and if all of the springs and bits inside are okay they work well. I own several modern shotguns that have alloy receivers, a Browning Gold Fusion and Win Model 59 (not all that modern) and like them for field work, but when shooting clays, skeet, trap I find a heavier steel gun balances better and is not as whippy.

I think pumps may come back. When autos became reliable (even tho my Model 11 works very well) they pretty much replaced pumps. But pumps are neat.

If they do I also hung on to my 870s, a 12, 28 and .410, all of which I bought new. The 12 is an SC skeet gun I ordered with and extra modified barrel back in 1970 or 71. For years it was the only thing I shot. I will likely never equal the 15 doves I killed with 16 shots with the skeet barrel on back in the 80's. I may get it out this year for old times sake! Like M12's and Timex watches, they take a licking and keep on ticking.

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Peter Clark

If they do I also hung on to my 870s, a 12, 28 and .410, all of which I bought new. The 12 is an SC skeet gun I ordered with and extra modified barrel back in 1970 or 71. For years it was the only thing I shot. I will likely never equal the 15 doves I killed with 16 shots with the skeet barrel on back in the 80's. I may get it out this year for old times sake! Like M12's and Timex watches, they take a licking and keep on ticking.

Yep. Great story.

One of my great uncles was a championship shooter. I never knew the gent, but my dad used to hunt with him. Before they went out the old man would ask, "What's the limit?" If it was sixteen, he would slip sixteen shells into the loops of his vest. Cool eh? That's confidence, man. I don't know what kind of gun he shot. I have seen one picture of him taken in the early 30's. I cannot recall if he had a gun in his hands or not, but he is smiling and wearing a canvas shooting jacket.

A coupla months ago I bought a brand new 20 gauge 870 Wingmaster. I cannot recall when I last bought a new shotgun...oh yes I do, it was in 1978. A winchester model 1300 12 gauge. I still have it.

[Stepmac]

I want to say something about the price of guns and if you are afraid to pay too much. All of us have passed up on guns that we wanted because we thought they were too expensive, and then changed our mind about about 2am, and went back the next day to buy it, and it was gone.

I've done this many times. I have even returned guns the next day because I thought that they were "wrong" and then, after I turned them back, I found out that they were right, but not in my safe anymore.

So, if you are buying guns and you see one that makes you sweat, then buy the darn thing. Even if you pay too much, you still have the gun and as the years pass you will forget what you paid and enjoy it.

I hate to list all of the really great deals that I have passed on....really, really, great deals. That "Do you really need another" look from my wife is a killer too. We are not rich and guns are expensive.

Today I have a collection that gives me literally thousands of hours of joy. So I'm happy I bought what I did. I just wish that I had not turned back in that Colt SAA 1902 second model, in 38 Special, nickle plated in perfect condition with ill fitting stocks! I thought it was wrong...cost was $800. It was a steal, it locked up like new, mint bore.....I let it go. Sorry, I need a drink.

[Mills]

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Now, what do you do when there are about 3 you really want?

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Mills Morrison

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Now, what do you do when there are about 3 you really want?

Well, I'll tell you. Sometimes I buy more than one at a time, but if I can only afford one I usually select the one in the best condition. However if one is in rough condition but has nice engraving, etc, I will buy it and figure I'll fix it up in a next life.

If I have to buy all three, I have taken out a loan, but I seldom do that anymore. I don't do that anymore.

Here is another plan. Lay out all three guns, if you can. Decide which one you can live without. That leaves you with two. Then flip a coin.