Winchester Model 12 and Model 37

hoosierman · 01-15-2017, 12:55 PM

I have two favorite shotgun's that I take to the turkey shoots that I attend in the fall. A Model 12 and an old Winchester Model 37 top break. The Model 12 dates to 1954 but I have no idea as to the age of the Model 37. I have never come home empty handed when using either one. The Model 12 is 12ga full 30" barrel with a Simmons vent rib..the Model 37 is really old but in very nice condition...also a 12ga with a full choke. I would love to hear comments or stories from some of you folks who go to turkey shoots. They are a lot of fun...all you need is a gun that patterns well and the rest is just plain old luck. Thanks for any interests. Rich

WINCHESTER MODEL 12 12GA

WINCHESTER MODEL 37 12GA

north country gal · 01-15-2017, 02:06 PM

Rich, no experience with turkey shoots, but I do have experience with both models.

Had a couple of 37s that were minty. The 20 gauge was actually a collectible, first year 20 gauge pigtail model. The 12 was a red letter version. (Many, many years, ago, also had a Model 370, but that was a cheapo imitation of the 37, not the real thing.) Picked up both the 37s at local auctions and later sold them at a profit. Thought about keeping them, but we don't do any shotgunning, so grabbed the money and sold them. Great old shotguns, though, from the era when farmers carried them on their tractors or kept them around the barn for pest control. Really the essence of the super durable utility gun.

Model 12s I have also loved and admired for their awesome machining work and design, but the 12s have always been a very poor fit for me, way too long a reach on the forearm and too long in the cycle length for my short arms. Ithaca 37s and Remington 870s were a much better fit for me.

bobski · 02-16-2017, 10:17 AM

new guy here.
I use a m12 28" full for turkey shoots. coupled with 7.5 shot 3 dram reloads, It seems to do pretty good.
here are a few pics of a turkey shoot we had a while back.

Terry_P · 02-16-2017, 01:48 PM

I have experience shooting turkeys but not turkey shoots.

north country gal · 02-16-2017, 02:09 PM

Love that Model 12. Very nice.

RidgeRunner · 02-16-2017, 05:41 PM

My Grandad was a well known bird hunter and trap shooter. He took my mother (born 1922) to a turkey shoot when she was in her twenties. In those days when you won a round you got a live turkey. When the day was over my mother had three live turkey’s tied to the truck bumper, and my Grandad had none. The story goes Grandad took a lot of razing from his buddies that day. As for me, I think turkey shoots are a great way to pass the day, but I have never done well.

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01-15-2017, 02:06 PM	#2
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 6,001	Rich, no experience with turkey shoots, but I do have experience with both models. Had a couple of 37s that were minty. The 20 gauge was actually a collectible, first year 20 gauge pigtail model. The 12 was a red letter version. (Many, many years, ago, also had a Model 370, but that was a cheapo imitation of the 37, not the real thing.) Picked up both the 37s at local auctions and later sold them at a profit. Thought about keeping them, but we don't do any shotgunning, so grabbed the money and sold them. Great old shotguns, though, from the era when farmers carried them on their tractors or kept them around the barn for pest control. Really the essence of the super durable utility gun. Model 12s I have also loved and admired for their awesome machining work and design, but the 12s have always been a very poor fit for me, way too long a reach on the forearm and too long in the cycle length for my short arms. Ithaca 37s and Remington 870s were a much better fit for me.

02-16-2017, 01:48 PM	#4
Terry_P Super Moderator Joined: Apr 2008 From: Where it's warm Posts: 10,616	I have experience shooting turkeys but not turkey shoots.

02-16-2017, 02:09 PM	#5
north country gal Senior Member Joined: Jan 2013 From: northern wisconsin Posts: 6,001	Love that Model 12. Very nice.

02-16-2017, 05:41 PM	#6
RidgeRunner Senior Member Joined: Nov 2015 From: Buck Ridge, Georgia Posts: 3,475	My Grandad was a well known bird hunter and trap shooter. He took my mother (born 1922) to a turkey shoot when she was in her twenties. In those days when you won a round you got a live turkey. When the day was over my mother had three live turkey’s tied to the truck bumper, and my Grandad had none. The story goes Grandad took a lot of razing from his buddies that day. As for me, I think turkey shoots are a great way to pass the day, but I have never done well.