[huntined]

I just bought a Winchester model 12 in 16ga. and was woundering if I got a good deal or not. The gun was made in 1925 has a 2.5 inch chamber(you may have seen some of my other posts about getting shells for it). It has a 26 inch barrel with a mod. choke. Now the part I was concerned with a bit. It had some bad pitting on the reciever that was cleaned up and then the gun was reblued. It looks like they did a very nice job on it. I believe the wood was refinished also. I just don't know that much about the model 12 and would like more info. I have looked in the Blue Book of Gun Values but it does't say anything about the value if the guns are redone. I am looking to use the gun as a shooter and not a inverstment. Any info would be helpful

 

[Woods walker]

For collectors value, refinishing a gun devalues it substantially, it is is pitted It woill not be anything a collector would want. Enjoy the gun in the field, that is what they were made for, not standing in a safe as a collector gun.

 

[huntingbeaver]

don't know what you paid, or care for that matter, but hopefully you didn't fall for the 'model 12 are all worth $$$$'

The 16's are nice lightweights and I've seen them in 'fair' condition lately in the $325-$350 range, and go up from there. I've seen some field 12's in the low 2's lately.

 

[TRAPJAW]

I picked up a Mod12 in 16ga a few years ago for $375. That was the most I was willing to pay since it didn't have the factory butt plate(or any for that matter). I probably spent a bit much on it, but I was buying it to take hunting. If you think you got a deal on it, then you did.

 

[huntined]

Thanks for the info. TRAPJAW did yours have the chamber lengh marked on the barrel? The one I bought didn't and the guy I bought it from said it had a 2.5 inch chamber. I guess I got a pretty good deal because I got it for under $200

 

[jimsdad]

As an aside I beleive that your 12 was made before they changed the operational capabiltiy that permits the trigger to be held back and the gun will fire every time the slide is returned to battery to one in which the trigger must be pulled for each shot. My 12 is from that era and it retains that capability. Great feature for shotgun bowling pin matches.

 

[John Henry]

I've always loved its .410 sidekick, the model 42!! Sweet guns!

 

[hunt/fish365]

My grandfathers 20 gauge model 12 is chambered for 2.5" shells, and regularly shoots 2.75" shells out of it. You just have to pump it like you hate it. It had been used that way for tens of thousands of shells.

 

[winchesterbob]

Non-original or damaged/repaired Model 12s abound...as do well-worn specimens...

You got yours for a very good price....BTW, if your gun is an early one, it has a 2 9/16 inch chamber....you can have the chamber lengthened to 2 3/4" or buy 2 1/2" shells here:

http://neweraammunition.com/index.php?page=hunting

 

[TRAPJAW]

Mine has the 2-3/4" chamber. I checked shortly after I bought it and I think it is a 50's vintage, can't remember exactly.

Now if I could just find some non-tox loads that don't entail me selling one of my kidney's I'll be all set.

 

[Big Ken]

For collectors value, refinishing a gun devalues it substantially,

Something strange I noticed on Gunbroker..When someone puts up a real clean, redone old Winchester, someone looking for a nice shooter will often bid it way up to prices that an old original would bring, or close to it.

 

[Woods walker]

There is something about auctions that brings out the ego and causes people to go a little goofy.

I saw it time and time again when the PGC used to auction confiscated firearms, people paying far more than what the gun was worth.

 

[jimsdad]

I sometimes wonder if there are not shills on Gunbroker. I mean I see some auctions there in which the bidding is just kind of suspect. A bid is made and then another is stacked right on top of it, for the miminal needed to kick up the price, soon after a previous offer. Like someone is willing to take a chance of a no sale on a reserve item and then just let the auction run out, and repost it later to rest the trap line. Anyhow, Ive bought from through Gunbroker and only sent one gun back. Good resource.