Marshal Flint Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Hi All, I picked up a Winchester Model 12 it has the customary 30" Barrel and it conmes with the poly choke tube which if I understand the rules correctly is not allowed? Also, if I understand the rules correctly I can shorten the Barrel to 20" and recrown it? I am new to this and want to make sure I do this the right way! Do you all prefer the 20" vs 30" barrels? Thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DUSTY BODDAMS Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Poly choke is not allowed and also not desired. Cutting the to your desired length is a ok and a good thing. I run around 23” on my favorite model 12’s. No shorter than 20”. 18” guns are a little whippy to me especially if we have to engage a clay bird. Dusty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Flint Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 Poly choke is not allowed and also not desired. Cutting the to your desired length is a ok and a good thing. I run around 23” on my favorite model 12’s. No shorter than 20”. 18” guns are a little whippy to me especially if we have to engage a clay bird. Dusty Thank you Dusty! I appreciate the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrison Joe Posted December 6, 2019 Share Posted December 6, 2019 Marshal - What's that lever at the leading edge of the trigger guard? Is that an aftermarket speed safety made to work like a Garand's safety? That probably would be considered an external modification that could be ruled illegal. Worth asking about before you go shoot in a match. Good luck, GJ Did some more digging. That indeed seems to be an aftermarket "rotating" or "crow's foot" safety that has been found on a VERY few Model 12s - reported to have been marketed in the 50's to work like a Garand or M1 Carbine lever safety at front of trigger guard. Although we don't use the Model 12 safety in WB matches, I would expect you would have to get that thing cleared by the Rules committee, or it could well be declared an illegal external modification. Similar to the poly-choke being an illegal modification. Good news is, lots of places have parts for a Mod 12 safety rebuild. GJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Flint Posted December 6, 2019 Author Share Posted December 6, 2019 Marshal - What's that lever at the leading edge of the trigger guard? Is that an aftermarket speed safety made to work like a Garand's safety? That probably would be considered an external modification that could be ruled illegal. Worth asking about before you go shoot in a match. Good luck, GJ Did some more digging. That indeed seems to be an aftermarket "rotating" or "crow's foot" safety that has been found on a VERY few Model 12s - reported to have been marketed in the 50's to work like a Garand or M1 Carbine lever safety at front of trigger guard. Although we don't use the Model 12 safety in WB matches, I would expect you would have to get that thing cleared by the Rules committee, or it could well be declared an illegal external modification. Similar to the poly-choke being an illegal modification. Good news is, lots of places have parts for a Mod 12 safety rebuild. GJ Good eye I didn't even notice that! I will have my gunsmith friend take care of that. Marshal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tully Mars Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 Marshal Flint, I would recommend cutting it longer 23-34", it can always be shortened. Shoot it for awhile moving in and out of windows. My main match is a 20", however I wish I'd have done 22". Tully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Flint Posted December 8, 2019 Author Share Posted December 8, 2019 Marshal Flint, I would recommend cutting it longer 23-34", it can always be shortened. Shoot it for awhile moving in and out of windows. My main match is a 20", however I wish I'd have done 22". Tully Thank you Tully. I will give that a try! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson County Mike Posted December 8, 2019 Share Posted December 8, 2019 Marshal Flint, I would recommend cutting it longer 23-34", it can always be shortened. Shoot it for awhile moving in and out of windows. My main match is a 20", however I wish I'd have done 22". Tully Hi, That's an interesting thought. What's your reason? My thoughts are it may point better , regards, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tully Mars Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Johnson County, My thoughts are M12'S are light up front, more barrel, more weight. Plus just what have you lost? If you're not happy, trim some more off. I have one that's 18", points great, but I don't care for the balance. My 20" is fine, but I think 22" would have been better. Light up front to me means coming off the target when pumping the gun hard. Tully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnson County Mike Posted December 9, 2019 Share Posted December 9, 2019 Johnson County, My thoughts are M12'S are light up front, more barrel, more weight. Plus just what have you lost? If you're not happy, trim some more off. I have one that's 18", points great, but I don't care for the balance. My 20" is fine, but I think 22" would have been better. Light up front to me means coming off the target when pumping the gun hard. Tully Hi, I like the idea and I am looking for a M12 so this is something I might try, Thanks, Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Flint Posted December 12, 2019 Author Share Posted December 12, 2019 Mine should be at the FFL tomorrow B I am looking forward to trying that as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marshal Flint Posted December 19, 2019 Author Share Posted December 19, 2019 I cut the barrel down to 22" and I have the trigger group pulled out waiting for a safety to arrive. Thanks again for the helpful posts! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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