possibly great S&W ccw

C

cmsgt

New member
This afternoon spotted a used S&W model 12 snubby that appears to have been shot very little. Action seems very tight. Have been looking for one of these for a while, and plan to get Wolff springs and some coco bolo bantam Hogue grips. It came with ugly Pachmyr grips, no box, and an engraved license no. visible when one opens the cylinder. Serial no.is 14033.
Questions:
1. How to get rid of the unsightly etched license no. The gun's finish is pretty good; don't want to spend the $ to reblue it entirely.
2. Also, it's an AIRWEIGHT. I did not know K frames came in airweight. So what's the best ammo for target practice and then self defense? I use nyclad ? for my model 38, for those were suggested by a dealer years ago.
3. Anyone have a date of manufacture?
BTW: thought I had found the ideal ccw revolver a few months ago when I bought a clean Colt Det Special; but after spending $125 for a trigger action job at a reputable gunsmith, it still stacks way too much in dbl action. Cylinder & Slide can fix that problem for $236 -- just what I paid for the Smith.
 
The Model 12 was the M&P airweight. The standard blue steel model was the famous Model 10. Both came in the 2 inch barrel.

The M&P 2" was THE standard detective pistol, along with the Colt Detective Special, for many decades. The alloy framed guns in both makes were highly favored with those who carried always but shot rarely.

Check to be sure the "license number" is not the S&W assembly number, which is on the frame and on the crane. If so, I would not try to remove it; it is supposed to be there and no one cares about it.

You should be able to use any ammo you use in the Model 38, in fact the Model 12 is heavier than the Model 38 and can take stouter loads.

Jim
 
re number

Jim,
thanks. Re the number, this was etched by the owner who told the dealer that he thought he would always keep the gun. It's not the S&W assembly no. which is above the serial no. This was etched in by hand on the frame below the cylinder taking up 3/4 inch of writing. Tacky. Only visible when the cylinder is opened.
cmsgt
 
CM,

You can't "reblue" the gun if you take off the etching because the frame is not steel -- it's aluminum. You can use something like Birchwood Casey Alumablack, but it likely won't look much better than the numbers.

My suggestion would be to use the Alumablack on the numbers that are there in an effort to make them as unobtrusive as possible.

The number you list isn't the serial number. It may, though, be PART of the serial number. All Model 12s should have a letter prefix on the serial number or several numbers, a letter, and more numbers.

It might also be stamped on the bottom of the grip.

Stick with standard velocity .38 Spls. in this gun. It wasn't designed for +P.
 
Chief...

"Anyone have a date of manufacture?"

Is there a letter prefix to the serial number? There are two ranges of serial numbers, one beginning with the letter C and one with the letter D which include the Model 12. If the five numbers you mentioned are in fact the serial number, then there should be a letter D in front and your pistol was made in 1968. But I would like your verification of the number to help pinpoint it for you.

BTW, when posting serial numbers, for your own security you should replace the LAST THREE numbers with x's.

Something else to remember about early Model 12s is that the frame was very slightly thinner that other K-frames and hence most K-frame grips will not fit properly.
 
Re the serial number, I also thought there should be a letter preceding the digits. I asked the dealer, and he said those digits were the serial number, and that's the number he filed with DOJ paperwork. I did not take the time to remove the grips to dbl check the serial number under the frame cause he was closing for the day. Won't see the gun til the 30th when I pick it up.
I have a S&W model 15 from 1955 with the serial number in 4 places, including the star.
I'll try the Alumablack, thanks.
 
Chief...

This might be a silly question, but how many rounds does this revolver hold? Is it a five- or six-shooter?
 
The S&W model 12 holds six rounds. I think I'll be able fire it more accurately than my model 38 which holds just five rounds. Wolff springs really makes a difference particlarly in firing dbl action which is the way we have to qualify if we want to carry a revolver.
I think I'll stop by the dealer tomorrow to check out the serial number under the grip to see what it shows.
 
Chief...

"The S&W model 12 holds six rounds."

You read my mind. I was wondering if the dealer had confused the Model 12 with the Model 37, both lightweight aluminum frame guns. The Model 37 does have a serial number range which does NOT have a letter in front of it.

I think that everyone following this thread will be interested in what you find out when you check it out today.
 
the real serial number

Checked out the model 12-2 today at the shop. Pulled off the Pachmyr grips: drat, the previous owner again had inscribed his CDL (calif drivers license)on the grip frame; the same digits 114xx were also along the side of the grip that were on the frame visible when opening the cylinder -- and these must be the assembly number, for,low and behold, in the for sure location of a S&W revolver serial number was the serial number: D768xxx. Also there were two other markings on the frame: letter S encompassed by a square and letter K with a circle around it.
The dealer today is sending to DOJ a correction to the paperwork with the correct serial number.
My Hogue grips, Kingwood Bantam, arrived today -- they are quick in delivery -- and do they look sharp.
Hope to find that I can shoot it as well as it looks.
cmsgt
 
Chief...

"for,low and behold, in the for sure location of a S&W revolver serial number was the serial number: D768xxx."

Looks like early to mid 1975 for the manufacture date. I do not know what the other markings mean...maybe one of the other forum members does.

Sounds like you have a good pistol, hope you are happy with it.
 
I finally got off my butt and pulled my Model 12 out of the safe. I have included a pic below. Unfortunately mine is the square butt model which makes for slightly less concealability.
 

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Nice pic.
I have the sqaure butt in the model 15 with 2in barrel; you're right the different grip certainly makes it more difficult to carry concealed. My model 15 is a keeper; shoots great particularly with Wolff springs. At one point I even considered altering the grip frame; glad I just found a model 12 with the round butt. I still will have my Colt D.S. sent to Cylinder and Slide for them to do their magic.
cmsgt
 
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