shotgun experts-need advice*pics added*

[Ahab]

I think the 16-gauge Model 12s were built for 2-9/16-inch chambers prior to 1926. After that, they (and pretty much everyone not determinably British) standardized on 2-3/4-inch shells. If yours is 2-3/4-inch, that'll be marked on the barrel. If there's no chamber-length marked, it should be a 2-9/16-inch chamber. Lots of these old chambers got opened up to 2-3/4-inch without trouble, but as Mr. Bear Foot Farm says, the firing pin problem should have nothing to do with the chamber length.

I doubt you can find 2-9/16-inch ammunition. I find it hard enough locating standard-chamber 16-gauge shells in these standardized times.

 

[dinahmoe]

Bear Foot Farm , Ahab-ok,
i should just let my husband do this but he won't

anyway,i looked for a shell length on the barrels but did not see one.there are some shells that were in the case with the gun tho and they are both 2 3/4 in.

the red shells were in a box dated 1927.they are Federal(with a mallard pic on the box) and are paper hulls.these have 3 different loads and they were used regularly so the box was in bad shape.

the other box is Imperial and i don't know if they are paper or not.the only date on the box is 57.it is a full box and it was the last box bought before whatever happened to the gun took place.

 

[woodmort]

I have a Model 12, 16-gauge that my Dad gave me for my 14th birthday in 1952. It was a used gun at the time--originally a modified choke but had a poly choke added as well as a shorten stock which I had to have built up with a pad. It is chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells. Given the number of Model 12's sold I find it hard that someone can't repair it. I've been offered a lot more money than my Dad ever paid for it but refused to sell even though I don't hunt with it any more. Brought down a lot of pheasants and grouse in it's time as well as a nice 8-pointer.

 

[dinahmoe]

Quote:
i thought everything could be fixed.i did get some info on a guy about 6 hrs from me and i will try to get him to look at it.i don't have a problem paying to fix it but people that i have taken it to say that it can't.someone else mentioned about if the chamber has been modified it can't/shouldn't be used,but i don't know.i will still be happy with it even if it doesn't work as long as my son ends up with it.

 

[Ahab]

If you didn't see a chamber length on the barrel, it was pre-1926 and therefore 2-9/16". And later opened up to take 2-3/4-inch ammunition, as your collection of ammunition (I assume it was found with the gun) clearly shows. Those are pretty hot loads.

It should be perfectly safe, though; thousands of them were so modified--going to 3-inches is insanity, but I don't think any reputable gunsmiths ever did that, nor is there any reason to.

I'm unaware of anything in a Model 12 that can't be repaired by a competent gunsmith. And these are the best and most desirable American pump guns--made in the era of machining parts and not just stamping them out--and well worth taking care of and having restored by someone who knows what he's doing.

 

[dinahmoe]

Quote:
those shells were bought for and always stayed with that gun.
do you know if the purple shells are paper?

i just wanted to get advice from ya'll and if everyone said that the gunsmiths were right,then that would have been it.
now that everyone has said that it is a nice gun and well worth it to fix it ,i will keep looking till i find someone who can do it.
thanks
D

 

[jhm47]

Those old shells most likely have some collectors value too.

 

[onthespot]

Old shell boxes have collector value too, especially if they have neat graphics on them. Do an ebay search. If none show up, keep looking every now and then. I have seen the boxes sometimes sell for more than the gun, lol.

 

[mxpres]

that model was known as the (sweet sixteen) back in the day

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

anyway,i looked for a shell length on the barrels but did not see one.there

If there's a serial number on the gun, it's possible you could contact Winchester or do some internet searching, and find out exactly when the gun was made.

That should give you a better idea of the original chamber length.

What I can't figure out is what could possibly be wrong with the firing pin that would cost $400 to repair​