Gun Dog Forum

Which gun would you buy? The '52 is in a little better shape, but not much. Same price. Thanks for the input!

You are saying the specs, in all measures, are identical and wish to know if it would be wise to purchase an example made in 1942 or, one in 1952?
I must be missing something????
Are you saying the construction during wartime is ....less or post-war is...somehow better perhaps?
Odd question.

But...1942 would be my choice in hoping the shotgun would exhibit more blue wear and wood scratches indicating the owner used it as it should be used.

to me they all shot about the same, but I think another forum might get more results. I ended up with about 30 in my poker playing days (60's-70') and a bunch of trap shooters came and bought them all for the receivers, didn't notice them being over selective of a particular year. it was my dad's gun of choice. my generation the 870's came out and were cheap and good and the model 12's faded away with the my dads generation. I'd go with the least used and abused. you didn't say the price and I am sure you have checked gun brokers, etc.

Mountaineer wrote:You are saying the specs, in all measures, are identical and wish to know if it would be wise to purchase an example made in 1942 or, one in 1952?
I must be missing something????
Are you saying the construction during wartime is ....less or post-war is...somehow better perhaps?
Odd question.

But...1942 would be my choice in hoping the shotgun would exhibit more blue wear and wood scratches indicating the owner used it as it should be used.

Mountaineer -

Sorry, I wasn't real clear. I don't know anything about Model 12's so I was just curious if either year is better or more sought after. Thanks for the input!

bensss wrote:to me they all shot about the same, but I think another forum might get more results. I ended up with about 30 in my poker playing days (60's-70') and a bunch of trap shooters came and bought them all for the receivers, didn't notice them being over selective of a particular year. it was my dad's gun of choice. my generation the 870's came out and were cheap and good and the model 12's faded away with the my dads generation. I'd go with the least used and abused. you didn't say the price and I am sure you have checked gun brokers, etc.

Thanks for the input!

And I should've mentioned that both are 16 gauges.

They want $499 for both.

Ah, ok...I would fall for whichever seemed to call to me.

A Model 12 16 gauge can be a sweet gun and any issues discovered can normally be resolved.
I did find that my 50s Model 12 16 gauge balked a bit on Estate shells.....have fun with whichever one you choose.

I ended up buying the '52, I'm excited to get out and shoot it.