22K and counting

[Cold Spring]

Four years ago I found a 1949 Winchester M-12 Field gun, 12 gauge with 32” barrel that was reworked by Simmons in 1995 to include one of their vent ribs and a nicely figured MC stock. She was redone as a Trap gun and shot a little high for sporting clays. I reworked the comb to shoot “flat” and began to use her as my go-to sporting gun. About a year later I got distracted when putting her in the vertical gun rack on my cart, didn't use the elastic safety strap, and she fell off while backing down the incline at Station 10 at Rock Mountain. That badly dinged and cracked the buttstock. I replaced it with a Deluxe stock that I found at a Gun Show and added a tapered spacer under a Jostam recoil pad because someone had cut the butt at an odd angle for pitch. I’m careful to clean and lube the bolt locking cut in the receiver after each outing and once in a while I’ll pull the barrel and lube the slide nub that works the bolt. I’ll also lube both extractor springs. Otherwise no special cleaning other than a rag into the bolt opening to clean out burned powder. I use Alliant E3 in my reloads and it's so clean burning I don't clean the barrel all that often. Anyway, today I fired the 22,000 th shot since she came to me. The bolt lift is still as measured when I first got her and with no wear indicated. Same with the sllde lock engagement. Extraction and ejection are perfect with any shell I care to fire; almost always my Rem Gun Club and STS reloads with 7/8 or 1-ounce of 7-1/2's at 1200 speed.

Winchester claimed that with proper care Model 12’s would hold up for something like 325,000 rounds. Not sure how the Big Red W extrapolated to that figure but I tend to believe it.

[Randy Roberts]

Geez Frank you been busy, 4 years and 22K and I know that's not the only gun you've been shooting. Impressive

I don't recall ever hearing "Rock Mountain" and "incline" ever used in the same sentence. The flat landers just won't get it

[Cold Spring]

Station 10 is the one about half way around the RM main course and during events it's posted not to drive carts down the incline because of congestion at the shooting butts there. Otherwise we use the carts to access. My gang are dedicated shooters and we shoot on most Wednesdays and Sundays except for hunting and on heavy rain days. Usually at the Rock but at other clubs on occasion. Any members at the Rock at about 930am on those days are welcome to shoot with us, whatever ya brung that day. Randy is right, I shoot a variety of guns to include SxS's, other Model 12's and 42's though this M12 pictured is my regular gal when shooting along with the o/u's and gas guns used by my friends. Love her 32" barrel; that extra 3-1/2" along the length of the receiver is like shooting a high sighting plane SxS or over/under with 35-36" barrels but a bit more dynamic.

[Double Lab]

They are built like tanks so 325k shouldn't be a problem. You are one of the best M12 shuckers I've seen next to Herb Parsons.

[Stan Hillis]

Frank, you'd like to play with my Wingmaster. It has a 34" Remington trap barrel. Now, that's a long sighting plane!

Barrel isn't all original however. It was back bored so much, for card shooting, that it now has .063" choke. Tight doesn't begin to describe that baby.

[Gerald McPherson]

Originally Posted by Stan Hillis

Frank, you'd like to play with my Wingmaster. It has a 34" Remington trap barrel. Now, that's a long sighting plane!

Barrel isn't all original however. It was back bored so much, for card shooting, that it now has .063" choke. Tight doesn't begin to describe that baby.

Turkey shoot special I bet?

[charlie cleveland]

that's the most choke in a gun I ever heard about...I need to borrow this gun to shoot those long beards that hang up way out yonder...charlie

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by Gerald McPherson

Turkey shoot special I bet?

Absolutely. I've got an ear to the ground right now for a "turkey shoot" near enough to try it out.

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by charlie cleveland

that's the most choke in a gun I ever heard about...I need to borrow this gun to shoot those long beards that hang up way out yonder...charlie

I need to spend some time this winter patterning it on the plate with different shot sizes.