Winchester Model 12 12ga problems

C

Cowman

New member
This is my dad's old duck/pheasant gun. I took it out to try some trap with it and found that it's not cycling properly. When you try to eject a shell it doesn't get ejected all the way, it just ends up sticking partway out of the side of the gun and jamming up the works.

Then when you try to chamber the next round it doesn't get lifted up high enough to get shoved in the chamber and again the works are jammed up.

Is this a common problem that a mechanically inclined individual like myself might be able to handle or do I want to find a gunsmith?
 
It most likely is nothing but I would take it to a gunsmith for a complete cleaning. M12's have been around for so long it will last you forever. I have a few M12's and I think they are the best shotguns ever made. My trap gun is a rebuilt vintage 1921 M12. They will go forever but every now and then they may need a tune up.
 
1st problem - won't eject.
1. worn, burred or broken extractors.
2. weak or broken extractor spring (pretty commmon problem with M12's)
3. Weak/broken ejector.
4. Excessive head space allowing base of shell to expand (not common)

2nd problem - won't feed. I'm not sure where they're hanging up, it makes a difference in what is wrong. if they're not feeding up from the magazine it's
1. cartridge guide out of alignment
2. action slide bent
3. carrier spring weak
4. weak magazine spring
5. binding follower
if the gun feeds from the magazine ok, but the round won't chamber it's
most likey
1. carrier does not rise because of binding carrier plunger
2. extractors too tight
3. bent carrier
4. carrier binding on slide

I'd start by cleaning it and lubricating. Make sure everything is working freely. If it still won't eject/feed, look at your springs and then your extractors. M12's aren't hard to work on.
 
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