Model 12 Lightweight Question

[Wolfy]

Hi,

I recently came across a Model 12 Lightweight (basically a non-takedown 1912 in 12 guage) and was wondering as to it’s status for shooting in Wild Bunch.

I believe it wasn’t available in 1913-14. Would that be the cutoff for model 12 variants?

 

 

[Flying W Ramrod]

11 hours ago, Wolfy said:

Hi,

I recently came across a Model 12 Lightweight (basically a non-takedown 1912 in 12 guage) and was wondering as to it’s status for shooting in Wild Bunch.

I believe it wasn’t available in 1913-14. Would that be the cutoff for model 12 variants?

 

 

The Model 12 is allowed in WBAS. No distinction is made between take-down or non take-down.

[KingSnake]

Only holds 4 rounds in the magazine tube. 

[Flying W Ramrod]

1 hour ago, KingSnake said:

Only holds 4 rounds in the magazine tube. 

Lot's of reloads from the belt then 😄

 

[Wolfy]

ugh - i didn notice the shorter mag tube

[Flying W Ramrod]

9 hours ago, Wolfy said:

ugh - i didn notice the shorter mag tube

Gives you a chance to practice "Loading from the Belt" 😄

 

[Sasswhistleblower]

On 9/14/2026 at 9:48 PM, Flying W Ramrod said:

The Model 12 is allowed in WBAS. No distinction is made between take-down or non take-down.

There is no non takedown Model 12. The Featherweight is a takedown. Just a different design than a standard Model 12. 

[Garrison Joe]

Winchester collectors hold that the Featherweight is a Model 12 variant, and from comments above by other WB rules followers, would be easily considered as a full-blown Model 12 for WB matches.  It's the only non-takedown-collared version of the Model 12.    good luck, GJ

 

Reference link:

Winchester Collector Org Admin Thread on Featherweights

Edited September 28 by Garrison Joe
added reference link

[Sasswhistleblower]

3 hours ago, Garrison Joe said:

Winchester collectors hold that the Featherweight is a Model 12 variant, and from comments above by other WB rules followers, would be easily considered as a full-blown Model 12 for WB matches.  It's the only non-takedown-collared version of the Model 12.    good luck, GJ

 

Reference link:

Winchester Collector Org Admin Thread on Featherweights

I guess Winchester didn’t have internet ex spurts to tell them they didn’t know what they were talking about when they built the guns. What did they know?

[Garrison Joe]

Regarding the name, the model is Model 12 (on the top of both of those pages), variant is Featherweight.  Making it a Model 12 Featherweight.  I'm pretty certain that the admin of the Winchester Collectors org would agree, but you can contact him if you want.  

As for "no takedown collar" - I see no collar on the pages you display.  It's got a takedown mechanism that allows only for barrel removal, but has no "takedown collar" (receiver extension) that allows both the barrel and mag tube to be dismounted. 

As for character attack by calling someone an "ex spurt" - I've seen that trick before.  No interpersonal conflicts, please.  If you want to discuss real stuff, let's do it.  good luck, GJ

 

[Forest Shadow]

I recently had a cowboy shooter looking to start shooting Wild Bunch ask me if the Model 12 Featherweight was legal to shoot in Wild Bunch.  I searched and found this topic.  It appears from reading the above thread that the general consensus is that it is a variant of the Model 12 and therefore legal to shoot in Wild Bunch.  However, most of the discussion seemed to be around the takedown vs. non takedown.  Also, there was a mention that it was not available in 1913/14.  From my research the Model 12 Featherweight was not introduced until 1959, which means it was not around in the early 1900.  However, that is when the variant was released and I don't know that matters.  It is a model 12, just a later variant to make the gun lighter.  I don't see why that should make it illegal for WBAS. 

Any dissenting opinions on the legality of this gun for WBAS?  

Any SASS rules officials who can confirm one way or another?

 

Appreciate the assistance,

 

Forest Shadow

[Garrison Joe]

Magazine is short, and only holds four rounds.  Lots of WB stages shoot 6 shotgun targets.  I would feel at a disadvantage shooting that rather than a full length magazine, which can hold 6 rounds of 2 3/4" shells (sometimes with a little work and a couple of parts).

So - legal? Yes.

The wise choice? No 

Generally there are a lot of regular Model 12s around.  Because of that, I'd go the conventional route and get a standard M12.

good luck, GJ