Winchester Model 12: Trap or Skeet?

ejohne · October 20, 2002, 11:06 PM

I bought a Winchester Model 12 manufactured in 1941. Under the magazine tube is "MODEL-12-TRAP." The barrel is 28 inches long, solid ribbed with "Model 12-12 GA." and underneath "WS-1." The slide handle and buttstock's pistol grip are finely checkered. The rubber recoil pad says "Winchester/Trademark/Pat. June 6 1922." Is this a trap or skeet gun or a trap gun with a skeet barrel?

Dave McC · October 21, 2002, 04:57 AM

WS 1 is a skeet choke. Sounds like you have a hybrid.

There's a quick check to see if the bbl's mismarked. The 12 is famed for being tightly choked in its trap and waterfowl configurations. See if a dime will pass through the choke. If it doesn't, it's probably a full choke, about .040" constriction.

Either way, you've a fine shotgun, enjoy...

October 20, 2002, 11:06 PM	#1
ejohne Junior Member Join Date: April 25, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 14	Winchester Model 12: Trap or Skeet? I bought a Winchester Model 12 manufactured in 1941. Under the magazine tube is "MODEL-12-TRAP." The barrel is 28 inches long, solid ribbed with "Model 12-12 GA." and underneath "WS-1." The slide handle and buttstock's pistol grip are finely checkered. The rubber recoil pad says "Winchester/Trademark/Pat. June 6 1922." Is this a trap or skeet gun or a trap gun with a skeet barrel?

October 21, 2002, 04:57 AM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	WS 1 is a skeet choke. Sounds like you have a hybrid. There's a quick check to see if the bbl's mismarked. The 12 is famed for being tightly choked in its trap and waterfowl configurations. See if a dime will pass through the choke. If it doesn't, it's probably a full choke, about .040" constriction. Either way, you've a fine shotgun, enjoy...