A friend of mine has a Model 12 field grade (I assume, no rib) in 16 ga., 28 or 30 inch bbl, full choke. It's in very nice condition--no rust or pitting and no dents in the wood, although the wood is rather plain. He would like to sell it, but isn't a gun person so doesn't know what it might be worth. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Winchester Model 12 Value?
- Thread starter dball01
- Start date
30-30remchester
New member
Price depends on condition, originality, guage, and year of production. I have visited the gun auction sights lately looking at model 12's and they seem to be selling in the $300-$400 range. 16 guage guns are not as desireable as 12's and 20's.
oneounceload
Moderator
That can very from locale to locale.
OP - you might try the folks at the 16 gauge society:
http://www.16ga.com/
They might be able, with the help of some pics, give you a real good estimate
dropthehammer
New member
Not doubting you Jim, but I would mortgage the farm to buy Model 12 16's for that kinda money.
GunsAreGood
New member
If he is wondering year of production here is the link.oldguns.net/sn_php/winmods.htm
No problem - it probably varies a lot by regions guys ....
I'm a used gun shop junkie .......and I try and get to my local shops 5 or 6 times a month just to see what's coming and going ......and just last month, a young fella came into a local shop with probably 2 dozen shotguns from his dad's estate ( nothing really special ) but there were at least 3 model 12's ...and most of them were not in great shape ....but I heard the owner tell the kid, he didn't really want the model 12's ...he had so many ....(and I think they were 20ga and 16ga ) ..
At least around here ....these older fixed choke guns / especially if they're choked Full ...just aren't very versatile for general shotgunning ....and they don't sell well. In my buddy's shop / most of us old guys have all the pump guns we want ... maybe more than we want .... and the guys under 30 yrs old for the most part ...want synthetic stocks, short barrels, etc ... / and buying a used gun and putting a new barrel on it will often cost more than the big box stores are selling the Mossberg and Rem 870's for new in all the tactical configurations ....
Its not just the older model 12's that he has trouble selling - its 870's, Browning BPS, etc if they've been used for hunting, scratched up a little and have fixed chokes ( unless it's Modified, or Imp Cyclinder ) ...they're just hard to sell. Now the exception is a gun that comes in really clean / that a collector might want ....is a little different. If its been a safe queen / he will often buy it / or if it's a .410 or a 28ga that will make a difference as well.
But in my area / the days of bird hunting and waterfowling are pretty much over / unless you want to travel at least 4 hours or more one way .....so there are a lof of older "field" shotguns on the market with Fixed Full chokes and there just doesn't seem to be any buyers for them ....
I'm a used gun shop junkie .......and I try and get to my local shops 5 or 6 times a month just to see what's coming and going ......and just last month, a young fella came into a local shop with probably 2 dozen shotguns from his dad's estate ( nothing really special ) but there were at least 3 model 12's ...and most of them were not in great shape ....but I heard the owner tell the kid, he didn't really want the model 12's ...he had so many ....(and I think they were 20ga and 16ga ) ..
At least around here ....these older fixed choke guns / especially if they're choked Full ...just aren't very versatile for general shotgunning ....and they don't sell well. In my buddy's shop / most of us old guys have all the pump guns we want ... maybe more than we want .... and the guys under 30 yrs old for the most part ...want synthetic stocks, short barrels, etc ... / and buying a used gun and putting a new barrel on it will often cost more than the big box stores are selling the Mossberg and Rem 870's for new in all the tactical configurations ....
Its not just the older model 12's that he has trouble selling - its 870's, Browning BPS, etc if they've been used for hunting, scratched up a little and have fixed chokes ( unless it's Modified, or Imp Cyclinder ) ...they're just hard to sell. Now the exception is a gun that comes in really clean / that a collector might want ....is a little different. If its been a safe queen / he will often buy it / or if it's a .410 or a 28ga that will make a difference as well.
But in my area / the days of bird hunting and waterfowling are pretty much over / unless you want to travel at least 4 hours or more one way .....so there are a lof of older "field" shotguns on the market with Fixed Full chokes and there just doesn't seem to be any buyers for them ....
dropthehammer
New member
Well put Jim, I have to agree. Steel shot regulations put alot of the full choke, old timers back in the closet. I still can't help myself though. I still drool and shake a little when I see an old quality built shotgun. The smaller gauges sometimes cause stuttering. The internet has all but wiped out region specific pricing and the deals found at gun shows.
Thanks - but I see your point as well ....
Not to pick on the model 12 / it was a fine gun for its day ....
Personally, I like a Browning BPS pump gun the Hunter model - and I can buy them brand new in 12/20ga for about $500 / and in 28ga or .410 for around $ 550 ...and they all come with screw in chokes .......
I usually give a BPS pump to each of the grandkids as they turn 16 on their birthday if they have any interest in shooting. ( I still have BPS's in 12 and 20ga I bought for myself in the 70's) and they are still very serviceable guns. I know Zippy, OneOunce and others feel the same way you do about the model 12's ....
Not to pick on the model 12 / it was a fine gun for its day ....
Personally, I like a Browning BPS pump gun the Hunter model - and I can buy them brand new in 12/20ga for about $500 / and in 28ga or .410 for around $ 550 ...and they all come with screw in chokes .......
I usually give a BPS pump to each of the grandkids as they turn 16 on their birthday if they have any interest in shooting. ( I still have BPS's in 12 and 20ga I bought for myself in the 70's) and they are still very serviceable guns. I know Zippy, OneOunce and others feel the same way you do about the model 12's ....
