Winchester model 12

[MissiontoMars]

[SkyHawk]

No idea what is reasonable. I gave $350 for this one a few years ago. Mfg sometime in the 1950's. It is nearly mint.

But the barrel was 30" so I cut it down and rebeaded it. I also changed the buttpad out for a buttplate.

Don't limit yourself to finding a short barrel if you can find a good deal on a long barrel.

[MissiontoMars]

No idea what is reasonable. I gave $350 for this one a few years ago. Mfg sometime in the 1950's. It is nearly mint.

But the barrel was 30" so I cut it down and rebeaded it. I also changed the buttpad out for a buttplate.

Don't limit yourself to finding a short barrel if you can find a good deal on a long barrel.

[Ducky's Dad]

If you want a simple takedown pump gun for trips, get an 870. The Model 12 may be a "better" gun, but the 870 is better for your stated purpose. I own many of of both.

[SkyHawk]

If you want a simple takedown pump gun for trips, get an 870. The Model 12 may be a "better" gun, but the 870 is better for your stated purpose. I own many of of both.

I have never seen a 870 Takedown model

A Win 12 Takedown model breaks apart without taking any parts off the gun, not even a nut. Just a quarter turn or less of the front end and it comes right off. It goes back together just as quick.

Sure you can take apart a Rem 870, but you can't "take down" a Rem 870. And you will still have the mag tube attached to the receiver, so with a short barrel it could never store as compact as this:





It sounds like the OP literally wants to backpack with the thing on foot, so the difference is meaningful


.

[LynnJr]

They cost more on the westcoast than anywhere else.
If you have a relative in the middle of the country you save about $200 over california prices.

[MissiontoMars]

I have never seen a 870 Takedown model

A Win 12 Takedown model breaks apart without taking any parts off the gun, not even a nut. Just a quarter turn or less of the front end and it comes right off. It goes back together just as quick. Sure you can take apart a Rem 870, but you can't "take down" a Rem 870. And you will still have the mag tube attached to the receiver, so with a short barrel it could never store as compact as this:





It sounds like the OP literally wants to backpack with the thing on foot, so the difference is meaningful


.

Exactamundo. Planning on remote backcountry travel via compact overland rig and also some rockhounding, gold panning, relic exploring. Want a fullsize 12ga stock as opposed to a pistol gripped rig. Takedown seemed like the best route.

[MissiontoMars]

They cost more on the westcoast than anywhere else.
If you have a relative in the middle of the country you save about $200 over california prices.

[Ducky's Dad]

OP did not specify backpack in original post. M12 is shorter than 870, but I'd still pack an 870. 870s are easy to find with 3" chambers for full house loads in bear country, M12s not so much. A 3" M12 will cost a lot more than an 870 and will probably have a 30" barrel. Be a shame to cut down a M12 Heavy Duck to fit a backpack. If 3" is not an issue, then the gap narrows. But I'd still pack an 870 with a composite stock.

[MissiontoMars]

OP did not specify backpack in original post. M12 is shorter than 870, but I'd still pack an 870. 870s are easy to find with 3" chambers for full house loads in bear country, M12s not so much. A 3" M12 will cost a lot more than an 870 and will probably have a 30" barrel. Be a shame to cut down a M12 Heavy Duck to fit a backpack. If 3" is not an issue, then the gap narrows. But I'd still pack an 870 with a composite stock.

[W.R.Buchanan]

If you can find a beater M12 for <$600 I'd say you are doing good and grab it!!

I saw a Non Beater M12 yesterday at my Skeet Shoot. It was almost a Custom Shop 20 ga Gun in nearly perfect condition and the guy who has a zillion Shotguns paid $1500 for it 25 years ago and was happy as a clam. It was a rare gun in mint condition and 20 ga. too boot. He shot 24/25 with it.

He's a way better Skeet Shooter than me, but I could beat the pants off him in a 3 gun shoot.

We still had fun!

I asked him if he had refinished it as he does excellent work on Hi $ Shotguns he said no it was all original. Hence the cost. It was made in 1950.

They are Good Guns and restoring a beater is an option. Turnbull's does nice work but the gun will be worth alot more after it is done and $600 won't cover it. The gun would be worth more like $20K after they are done with it.

But if you can do the wood work yourself and then have a local gunsmith Reblue it you have a beautiful gun for alot less. The wood work ain't that hard to do.

Randy

[SkyHawk]

I took some fresh pics of this old girl today. I have no regrets about chopping the barrel. I got this thing for a song, and the world has plenty of 30" Model 12s. No doubt plenty of collectors would still appreciate this one.

I used a hacksaw followed by a barrel facing tool with a pilot, in a hand drill.

[NoHeavyHitter]

They cost more on the westcoast than anywhere else.

Very true. My LGS in North ID has model 12's all the time running in the $300 - $400 range. I did pretty much the same thing in buying a Winchester 1897 takedown with a 30-inch barrel and shortened it. It makes for surprisingly compact travel carry.

[Enzo rules]

Beautiful looking shotgun. You did a good job on her.

[W.R.Buchanan]

Yes you did a nice job on the refinish. That stock has about the straightest grain I have ever seen on a gun. Doubt it will ever break!

I cut the Barrel on my Monkeyberg to 18.5". The Ventilated Rib on it had to be cut back from the muzzle as I didn't want any unsupported over hang catching on any thing.

I also added Williams Clamp On Rifle Sights to the rib. If your rib has any undercut they would work on your gun too and they only cost about $35.

Rifle Sights change the character of a short barreled shotgun dramatically.

Having the barrel threaded for choke tubes will also increase the versatility of the gun and allow use of a Rifled Choke Tube which increases the accuracy of slugs and also increases their effective range.



Randy