Winchester Model 12 Featherweight 12 gauge

[Stepmac]

Just left the gunstore. Looked at a bunch of shotguns. They had a like new, but used Winny Feather weight. I own a couple of older Model 12s and like them. This little gun is kind of weird. Anyone out there got one? If so what do you think?
Someone owned and didn't like this gun because it looks new. It does feel lighter. Has a different barrel changing system than the classic Model 12. It also feels slimmer. Has modern steel. It's a full, so if it becomes mine I'll have it opened to Mod. Will not install choke tubes. I'm not going to do that anymore.

New price is quoted as $1600. Used $450! Wow.

[Lloyd McKissick]

I went through an M12 period of interest a few years ago. The "featherweights" never were IMHO. The lightest M12s were the earlier nickel steel guns (all the 16s were on 20-gauge frames) and I still have a 1927 16 gauge that has been modified to better eject 2 3/4 shells. It was a 28-inch full choke gun originally, but someone shot steel in it on ducks (in the late 1970s/early 80s) and cracked the muzzle. I put it back in service (it was in non-functional pieces when I got it) by cleaning it up, throwing a few minor parts at it, and then bobbing the cracked barrel back to 26 1/2 inches (& resetting the bead). It's now a shocklingly-decent ~6-lb IC upland "loner" gun that I still occasionally cary for grouse (I grew up with pumps). I even installed a Williams "big head" safety on it (to help with my left-handedness) and it works just fine. If I ever had to use just one gun...

[Researcher]

Winchester made two attempts to make a "Model 12" to compete pricewise with Remington's Model 870. The first was the Model 25 which could be called a solid frame Model 12 from 1950 to 54 --

Model 25, February 2, 1950 Winchester catalog.jpg

and then the Model 12 Featherweight from 1959 to 62 --

Model 12 Featherweight 1960 catalog.jpg

Neither took the market by storm.

[Researcher]

Duplicate post

[Lloyd McKissick]

My '27 M12 isn't exactly pretty but it is quite functional.

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Lloyd McKissick

I went through an M12 period of interest a few years ago. The "featherweights" never were IMHO. The lightest M12s were the earlier nickel steel guns (all the 16s were on 20-gauge frames) and I still have a 1927 16 gauge that has been modified to better eject 2 3/4 shells. It was a 28-inch full choke gun originally, but someone shot steel in it on ducks (in the late 1970s/early 80s) and cracked the muzzle. I put it back in service (it was in non-functional pieces when I got it) by cleaning it up, throwing a few minor parts at it, and then bobbing the cracked barrel back to 26 1/2 inches (& resetting the bead). It's now a shocklingly-decent ~6-lb IC upland "loner" gun that I still occasionally cary for grouse (I grew up with pumps). I even installed a Williams "big head" safety on it (to help with my left-handedness) and it works just fine. If I ever had to use just one gun...

I was in the Marine Corps years ago. They demanded that we all shoot right handed. At the time weapons were made for right handed shooters.

I too own an old Winny model 12 16. I owned for years a Model 12 20, which was the first Model 12s Winny made. Nice gun. Wish I still owned it.

[Stepmac]

I purchased the Winchester Model 12 Feather weight shotgun today. Brought it home with me...passed the background test...again. The gun looks new. Winchester made them from 1958 to '59 and cataloged them for two/three more years. They were advertized as solid frame guns. Mine is 30" full. Made about 52,000 of'em. Mine feels lighter, a bit. Seems to cycle nicely, but I have not shot it yet. Full fixed choke. Nice steel receiver, no scratches looks like it has lived the past half century in a clothes closet.

[Jim Beilke]

Many years ago I bought 2 Model 25 Winnys. My Gunsmith removed the barrels and installed E R Shaw custom rifled slug barrels with a 1 in 34 twist. drilled and tapped the receivers, tuned the triggers and added recoil pads. I installed Luepold 1X4 scopes. These slug guns were capable of 11/2" groups at 100yds from the bench. They were my wife and my deer guns in our slug only part of MN.

[Stepmac]

Originally Posted by Jim Beilke

Many years ago I bought 2 Model 25 Winnys. My Gunsmith removed the barrels and installed E R Shaw custom rifled slug barrels with a 1 in 34 twist. drilled and tapped the receivers, tuned the triggers and added recoil pads. I installed Luepold 1X4 scopes. These slug guns were capable of 11/2" groups at 100yds from the bench. They were my wife and my deer guns in our slug only part of MN.

They sound like good hunting shotguns. Now I'll tell you a secret. I have never taken a shot at a deer in my life. I'm a bird hunter. I'm not against deer hunting, but I have never done it.

[Jim Beilke]

Mr McCarty, It looks as though you need to expand your Horizons. There is always room for one more Deer hunter. Give it a try.