Question about a 16g.

[SCUMFROG]

I have a question for all you gun guys. My wife has a Winchester model 12, 16g pump shotgun. I would say it's in very, very good to excellent condition. How do I tell how old this gun is and it's value. We are not planning on getting rid of it. We were told to never shot it again cause it's in such good shape. She got it from her great grandmother, who had it when she was a teenager. I don't know that much about guns but I am learning. So can any one help me with this.

[Gissert]

Your local library should have a Gun Blue Book that will give you an idea of its value given its condition.

[gunflint]

SCUMFROG,

Get all the numbers off the shotgun then go to either Firing Line.com or The High Road.com, both are excellent gun forums and those guys know just about everything.

P.S. Be carefull a whole new and expensive world could open up before you.

[SCUMFROG]

Yes the door is already open. I never knew how expensive guns can be and how many different kinds of guns there is. My wife got me a remington 870 combo deer barrel with scope and a bird barrel. It's my frist gun and I love it. I just wont have any thing to open for Christmas. I'm hoping to get out hunting next year.

[Polar Bear]

Scumfrog, You were told to never shoot it again? Usually, any firearm that has been used in the field will not suffer any loss of value by continuing to hunt and shoot it as long as you are careful to avoid major scratches, dings, etc.

Just pulling the trigger on a couple hundred more shells won't diminish the value at all. The enjoyment you'll get from actually shooting pheasants with a family heirloom will far outweigh any anxiety you have over potenital loss of value.

If you can't bring yourself to use it then you might as well sell it to somebody who will.

Polar Bear

[SCUMFROG]

Bear, my wife is still going to shoot it. She got me a new Remington 870 12g so we can go together. Now my son wants a gun, so he might get a 870 12g for Christmas. Is there a place to go shooting that's open year round?

[DrJ]

ScumFrog, I have 2 Model 12 16ga.Winchesters. My son is hunting now and I wanted to buy another one this fall.I could't find one in nice condition. Does it have full or mod. choke with a 28"barrell.Plain barrel or ribbed.Price range $400-$650 in good cond. I ended up with a new model 12 20ga.for $625 Made in 1990 by Browning.They made 4000 new ones with Winchesters OK. No 12ga or 16ga were made. Go to Gunsamerica.com and search Win.and you can see whats out there. They are a GREAT gun,My favorite. DrJ.

[SCUMFROG]

Full choke, 28 inch smooth barrel. We seen one at gander over the summer that wasn't as nice as hers, and they wanted $650.00 for it. I'll take a look at that site.

[Chev_trucks501]

Scumfrog,

I disagree completely. If it is what you say it is and in the condition you say it is in, then as a collector piece I would definately NOT shoot it any more. All guns after being shot a couple hundred times start to show wear. Mind you not external wear (unless of course you are dragging it through the woods). The pieces on the insides do wear and any good gun appraiser will notice. Of course if you are not planning on selling it then shoot away. It's a shame I've seen a lot of guns that would have been worth a boat load if they'd tucked it away and just stopped using it. Anyways your version of excellent condition and my version of excellent condition may vary a little. But there are people out there who would pay upwards of $1000 for a gun like that...provided it is in great condition! Well hope this helps.

Also the 870 Combo is a great gun! Just don't leave it in a damp case over night...(Will Rust)

Good Luck

Chev

[SCUMFROG]

Thanks for all the advice. Like I said it's her gun so I can't tell her not to use it. I think I'll just get her a new one so she wont use model 12 any more. ha-ha