Winchester Model 12 Disassembly & Assembly

Disassembly and assembly of a Winchester Model 12 pump action shotgun with a full choke barrel. A classic 12 gauge that is a ton of fun for trap shooting.
Has a Mossy Oak Buttstock Shotgun Shell Holder.

[@SpookyN00b]

I just inherited one of these from my grandfather. Man what a pain it was to disassemble. No wonder he never cleaned it. Thank god for your video.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Lol, yeah it's kind of a pain. Glad the video helped.

[@JakesFable]

I literally inherited mine from my grandfather as well how crazy.

[@Superplums]

I got mine from my Dad and I don't think he ever did more than a wipedown and oil and a boresnake. It works great.

[@CandidSpade1]

I just got one from my grandfather too haha been sitting for years

[@johnthonig1692]

@@UnprofessionalOutdoors Good job Do you use any lube or gun oil? Solvent for cleaner?

[@gloryannpenington1849]

Just acquired a 1914 Winchester 1912 20 ga ~ a 70th Bday present to myself:)! Thank you so much for this education. It had been a long time since it'd been cleaned and I'm happy to be a steward of such a beautiful piece.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

That’s an awesome present, enjoy it! Glad the video helped. These are such great guns.

[@jacobgaul5043]

My grandpa passed in Februaru and his 1931 Winchester Model 12 found its way to me. Very helpful, thank you.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Sorry to hear about his passing, but good to hear the Model 12 found a good home. Glad the video helped.

[@180boxer]

​@@UnprofessionalOutdoorsI have also Winchester model 12 made in 1931 and it's very special this gun for me and I will keep it forever because 1931 was also the birth year of my grandpa who is no longer with us.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

@@180boxer it’s cool to see how many people have this gun as a family heirloom

[@codymanke8016]

Your first sentence was correct, it was a pain in the ass to get back together but I figured it out from you so thank you. I just inherited it from my grandpa and knew he didn’t clean it in a while.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Glad the video helped!

[@myfavoritemartian1]

I have two of them that were my Grandfather's. One is a 16Ga made in 1913 with a 5 digit serial number and a 12Ga made in 1921. Both have been used a lot, but are in good condition. The model 12 has an adjustment for when the barrel/mag tube unit gets loose in the receiver. They are easy to tighten up.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

That’s cool to hear. Such great guns and I hear from a lot of people that inherited them and they still run great.

[@stevenrichards3699]

Thanks . I just broke down my Model 12, which hasn't had a deep clean in about 20 years , when I had it re-blued. Now it's all cleaned and oiled !

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Nice, glad it helped!

[@blazinhot6873]

I used this guide to disassemble and clean a Savage Model 28. It helped a lot. Thanks for posting!

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

That’s great to hear. Glad it helped, but didn’t realize Savage Model 28 were so close. Good to know.

[@lfalecorel]

fixed my shotgun thanks to this video!

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

@@lfalecorel glad it helped!

[@aaroncfriedman]

Thanks a lot! Just used your video to strip one that had its bolt stuck to the rear. Full of dirt!! Shook out the dirt and reassembled with the bolt in the front like you said, and viola, it works.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Glad this helped.

[@carsonphibbs3651]

Great video! Helped me get my 1950 16 gauge model 12 apart and back together!

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Awesome glad it helped! These are great shotguns.

[@carsonphibbs3651]

@@UnprofessionalOutdoors the old saying is true for these. "They just don't make em like they used to"

[@seanoconnell6735]

The wonders of KZbin. My father passed away earlier this year and I have his old 1914 Model 12 that he inherited from his dad. Interesting is that my grandfather was born in 1907, so I presume the gun was given to him by my great grandfather. I shot this gun once about 35 years ago and I am excited to have it now in my possession. My father was not a hunter or gun sportsman/enthusiast and when he got the gun back in the 1980s, he had no instructions (KZbin) to be able to understand how to break it down to inspect and clean it. Because he never shot it, it has sat for many years. Its action is smooth and all parts are clean with no rust and everything you showed seem to move effortlessly, so I think I am fortunate. I am going to break it down this weekend and give it a good clean and oil......although it looks to be in pristine condition. I am excited about making sure it is clean so I can get it out to soon at our local sporting clays park to have some fun.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

That’s great you have a fun with so much family history. These are great shotguns that can take a beating. I’m sure after a good cleaning it’ll be fun at the range. Hope the video helped since they can be tricky getting back together.

[@ndt270]

Hi Sean. I have a 1914 M12, 12 ga 30" full in almost perfect condition. It's nice enough that I don't hunt with it. I also have a '47 M12 12 ga that I've hunted with for over 50 years that my Dad gave me. My '47 has a new stock, new barrel, and new magazine tube because I've used it so much, they just wore out. It fits me perfectly, so I got a '53 and fit it so it has the same dimensions as the '47. When I shoulder them with my eyes closed, I can't tell them apart so I have the perfect backup gun. I have no desire to hunt with any other shotgun. Enjoy that '14!

[@weeelerrr9200]

I found it easier to put the barrel on first then add in the trigger assembly. I couldn't get the pump to grab the bolt assembly until I did it this way. Had to guide it with my finger then put in the trigger and now it works fine. Thanks for the video.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Awesome, I'll try that next time I clean it. Thanks for the advice.

[@Edgy01]

Thank you very much for your effort to provide this instruction video on the model 12, a tremendous shotgun! My Model 12 was built in 1942, and was probably acquired by my father in the early 1950s I would guess. Since he died in 1969 I have used it occasionally but NEVER field stripped it out of simple fear of screwing things up! Obviously, it hasn’t been cleaned since the late 1950s. Now, I feel much better about it’s inner workings. One tip. A little better lighting when filming, especially when you are looking inside the breech area. It would remove a little more doubt as to how things should look. A+ for you!

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Glad the video helped. It’s cool to see how many people have this gun as a family heirloom. Totally hear you on the video feedback. This was one of my first videos.

[@caseysimpson1806]

Best Model 12 instruction on KZbin.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Thanks, glad it helped.

[@MrCoachBrooks]

Such a nice job on this video Within 15 seconds you start doing what the video says you're going to do The video has good lighting - no nonsense instructions and important details/things to look for Thorough, yet less than 12 minutes long - I liked, I subscribed and I tip my cap to you sir

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Thanks for the sub and glad it helped!

[@rylancollins8858]

thank you so so much, this really helped me Couse i could not find a freaking video on how to disassembly my shotgun. so helpfull

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Glad it helped!

[@WhuppopotamusYT]

Just got a ‘27 m12 thank you, very informative

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Awesome, glad it helped.

[@pinecone5058]

Very helpful, have my first m12 on layaway, thanks for your time

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Glad it helped and enjoy your M12 when you get it. They’re great guns.

[@aaaalabama]

Great video. Very helpful.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Thanks, glad it helped you out.

[@daviddeupree7707]

Thanks man I really appreciate it. Anyway all the best from Northern California

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Any time!

[@SavageMcBeastdog]

Well lit and well described. Please do a full teardown video.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Thanks! Any particular areas you’re looking for a full breakdown on?

[@thomasmiller316]

Very helpful. Lost my dad a few years ago so, I had nobody to ask.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Sorry to hear that, but happy to hear the video helped.

[@kevinnewton5444]

Looks like you were shooting at Richmond Rod and Gun Club at the start of the video...I'm a member there... And I think you did a fine job on the video...

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Yes sir, love that place. And thanks!

[@R3TR0--93]

I own one a model 12, and it has the screw knob at the top which you unscrew to remove the barrel. I love this shotgun, yeah it's a pain to take a part and put back together, but that means it was a well made firearm, back when they use to make all metal and wood firearms with steel parts.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Yeah it’s a great really well made gun.

[@niklasschwalb5445]

Look I watched this video for the gun. But dude the mythosaur tattoo is why I liked the video. 3 days til Star Wars day.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Haha that's awesome. Always love the SW day announcements.

[@ccopperpot5688]

Great video!!

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@blunts4brekfast]

liked and subbed. I don't even own that shotgun, but this was a great video, and maybe someday I will.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Thanks, glad you liked the video.

[@warrenturnbull3436]

Awesome video.. I just acquired from my uncle, my great grandpas model 12 and broke it down today and fully cleaned it.. but while soaking the trigger group something went wrong and now the safety switch seems “seized” I can’t push the button back and forth to turn it on or off.. not too sure what’s happening.. any ideas? Might have to break the trigger group down itself and clean inside there possibly??

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Thanks and glad you liked the video. Is the safety seized both with the gun assembled and with the trigger group out? Just checking if it’s catching on anything. Maybe try soaking again to see if that dislodges what’s blocking it. If not you may have to break the trigger group down, which I’ve never done. Good luck and hope you get it sorted out.

[@donaldschmitt4677]

Easy to disassemble n easy to clean. Own 2 of em. Shoot like fuck!!! Model 12.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

It's easier now that I've broken it down more and more.

[@russianraccoon8507]

I just got one and after firing and pulling the slide back the shells don’t eject. Is there a way to fix that? The gun is fairly dirty the previous owner must have not cleaned it but I don’t know if that would affect the ejection of the shells.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

I would break it down and give it a good cleaning. Hopefully that fixes the problem.

[@canuckguns]

Hey there ! I got this Winchester model 12, it’s a fixed full choke.. and I have some target slugs, would those run thru? Or is that a bad idea

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Honestly I would not try it. Full chokes are really just meant for bird shot, so I wouldn't risk damaging the barrel with slugs or buckshot.

[@leomckay8170]

Very informative and detailed

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful.

[@MrClovvnz]

Man I can’t find a guide on how to disassemble a model 25. It looks damn near identical to this but it doesn’t come apart the same. I just want to remove the plug lol

[@paernoser871]

I'm having some issues trying to get the pin on the tip of the mag tube to turn into locking position for the assembly. I dint want to beat it too hard because I don't want to break it and I can't just leave it because anytime you go to pump it the gun will disassemble itself, haha. Any advice?

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Have you tried breaking down the mag tube to clean it? Might be something inside the tube blocking the pin.

[@tommygun6028]

Great Video!!! What year was it made ? I have almost same one , but in 20 G . My is from 1912....Cheers

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Thanks! I'm not sure what year it was made, since I cannot find a year stamped on the gun. Is there a way to tell based on the serial number?

[@austincole6521]

Did that resolve the issue of the shells being kicked out while loading the underside ?

[@robcampbell3235]

All win 12s will drop all shells in the tube if you push the feed ramp up...a quick unload ”feature” haha!

[@tammybemtley1448]

How do you get a 12 gauge pump unjammed without ruining the gun mine is an older Winchester pump action

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

How exactly is it jammed?

[@davidharris9077]

I bought a model 12 ( 1961) in great shape. I have only owned a few pump action shotguns so not sure if this is normal, but if I don't keep foward pressure on the fore stock when I fire, I can't cycle the action after I shoot. I have looked at several KZbin videos and don't have an answer. Is this normal for a Model 12?

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

No that doesn’t sound normal for a model 12, mine doesn’t do that. Not really sure what would be causing that. Have you tried breaking it down and cleaning it?

[@davidharris9077]

@@UnprofessionalOutdoors It's clean as a whistle. There are no worn parts or burrs visable, as this was from an estate sale and obviouly a safe queen. I have no idea what could cause this, that's why I thought it might be part of the design due to the slam fire feature. My 870, Mossberg 500 and Winchester 1300 don't have that feature and I shoot them with rearward pressure on the fore stock with no problems. Thanks.

[@dalanwanbdiska6542]

You need to apply forward pressure to the pump when firing to unlock it. Inertia lock system for slam fire feature. Nothing wrong. Its not like a regular 870 . You cant rack it like a 870 either with one hand because inertia lock needs two hands to unlock it. I had a Winchester 97 and i loved it for that that reason ,had to push the pump forward.

[@robcampbell3235]

Yep on mine some forward pressure needed. Not much but if youre used to one without it itll take some getting used to.

[@angrynathan1362]

My mag tube is stuck bad. It’ll move out of alignment. It went out about a quarter inch, but now won’t slide down back. I put in some gun oil hoping that loosens it up…

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Any luck with this? I broke my mag tube down once and cleaned the inside which helped get things moving.

[@moparclan]

Have a model 1912 made in 1918, problem is when taking the barrel off the bolt will fall to the rear and I have to take the trigger assembly off to put the bolt back into position. Have three model 12's and this is the only one that will do that? Possible cure? Thanks

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Is the bolt release worn down or broken? It might be damaged which could cause the bolt to slide back when the barrel isn’t holding it in place.

[@moparclan]

@@UnprofessionalOutdoors Replaced with a bolt from another model 12 and cured the problem, have a few more breech retaining levers on order. Just in case. Thanks for the reply.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

@@moparclan good to hear you got it sorted out.

[@MS-ek6up]

that trap range looks amazing. where is that??

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

It's the Richmond Rod and Gun club in Richmond, CA. Great range.

[@anthonyreddy2834]

Better close ups on parts would be more helpful but it is what is.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Yeah this was one of my first vids. Learned a lot since then.

[@oreopuppydawg1564]

They made a 31 inch barrel? I thought 30 and 32

[@dougfriendt8906]

No one ever says to make sure the breach is cocked and locked in place before starting disassembly. If not, you will not be able to reassemble properly. Trust me, I almost had to send it to gunsmith when the breach block slide back while I was reassembling it.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Yeah good call out. I thought you couldn’t even disassemble if it wasn’t in that position. I’ll have to go back and check.

[@realifedodgerrebuilds8210]

My Trigger assembly doesn’t slide in like it should, I literally have to jam it in for it to sit properly. Gun still works but bugs me I have to cram in my trigger assembly any suggestions? Anyone else have this issue?

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Is the trigger assembly or where it’s sliding into the gun dirty, pocked, or bent at all? When I first got mine it was pretty dirty. I broke everything down and cleaned it pretty thoroughly. I used a dental scraper to dig out some of the stubborn buildup and used super fine steel wool soaked in honing fluid to polish some of the more pocked areas. Have to be careful to not take off any metal, but doing that got might to assemble pretty smoothly, because it did not at first.

[@Agorizer]

I found that mine goes together much easier if it is "hammer down", or in fired position. Very difficult if cocked. Seems counter intuitive, but works.

[@kyleyoung2107]

Wpuld you mind redoing this video with the better lighting equipment you have now ?

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

It's on my to do list.

[@tonymuschara7756]

Very informative, but segments of the video that focused on the inside of the receiver was too dark to see - needed light above.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Yeah this was a pretty early video of mine. Hopefully it helped

[@joetruth5924]

Where are you shooting trap over water? My state would be fining you for putting lead in the water.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

They only allow steel shot.

[@Systemaman]

You shoot steel through a full choke?

[@joetruth5924]

Only shoot steel out of a modified choke.

[@deanrignel1318]

Mine doesn’t unscrew any tips on what do do?

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

What part doesn’t unscrew? The barrel from the receiver? Make sure the guide rod attached to the forend is clear of the receiver. If that’s clear maybe let some WD40 soak where the receiver meets the barrel.

[@stevenbello2001]

Nice video…better lighting would have helped see what’s going on inside the gun

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Thanks and agree. That was one of my earlier videos, so I hadn't figured out good lighting or audio yet.

[@stewartsmith6813]

You are skipping over exactly what I needed to know. The assemble of the magazine tube and wood forearm.

[@alexandercastillo7102]

Tengo una que era de mi visabuelo pero modelo 16

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Nice! These are great guns

[@skigdividerx4991]

It amazes me how many people there are that don't know how to store guns in a safe. Never put a wood stocked gun in butt down!! Always bore down!

[@johnthonig1692]

Why?

[@skigdividerx4991]

@@johnthonig1692 Several reasons. First if it has a recoil pad it smashes it and deforms it. Most people over oil the receiver and trigger housing parts. The oil runs into the grip and weakens and blackens the wood and then it cracks. How many old guns have you seen like that? Storing guns like .22’s barrel up let’s bugs and spiders crawl down the bore and lay eggs or die. Then you grab it and put a high velocity bullet down it without checking the bore and wa’la a bulged barrel.

[@johnthonig1692]

@@skigdividerx4991 🤔👍

[@patmooney7901]

Good vid except for the unloading at home

[@tblackwell49]

Lighting is too poor to see important steps installing components in receiver.

[@UnprofessionalOutdoors]

Might redo this video now that I have a better setup.