I've shot both in trap competition and prefer the Model 12. The all-machined steel parts give me greater confidence that the shotgun will hold up to high volume shooting. Now, before the Remington fans jump on my comment, let me say that 870 Wingmasters hold up extremely well indeed. So, it just comes down to personal preference.

 

I was using an 870 12ga Wingmaster when I first started trap shooting. Gun beat up my shoulder. A friend's Winchester 12 with a vent rib fit me better, was a bit more comfortable to shoot, balanced better due to thinner barrel, and swung better. Problem was finding one that hadn't been rode hard and put up wet. Wound up going with an 1187 as I did pretty well with the 870 except for recoil.

You're probably talking about a 12ga event, so this is a bit off topic, but for a light upland 20ga gun I went with a Browning Model 12 over an 870 Wingmaster. I do have an 1187 20ga that is light, but the Browning is much better for long walks, especially in hills and draws.

 

I have a TB trap that I shoot very well but I have a field grade model 12 that I shoot better. I think Winchester put magic in that gun.

 

Kearny, how tall are you? I’m 6’9” and field grade Mod 12 shoot like any trap gun for me.

 

Dad fed his family with a model 12. I fed mine with a Wingmaster. I still shoot mine in competition weekly. He's long since passed. I gave it my nephew. 870 so much easier to clean in my opinion and work on. No bad choice here.

 

I just took my 1914 Model 12 to the club yesterday and broke 22. I love telling people it age.

 

My 1921 vintage broke 24 and 24 yesterday! Just love the M12!

 

My preference would be Model 12. They are one of the best pointing
guns ever made in my opinion. Maybe that’s why I have a few of them.

 

Looks like Model 12 in the lead as of now.I have a number of both and I would pick 870, the 870 easier to clean after having been out in the rain as all you need is a nail and a rock and you can completely disassemble it whereas with a Model 12 you need a complete toold box for disassembley. Also 870 will not fanfire as I have done numerous times with the Model 12.Also 870 you can easily change barrels. Anyway that's my opinion.

 

The 870 is far simpler and highly accessorized. You can just stick whatever barrel you want on it. Personally, I think it’s pound for pound a better gun.

 

It is a shame that model 12 barrels are not interchangeable like the 879's, but the model 12's are machine out of a piece of steel, they will be around forever. I have both, but when i take the model 12 at gun clubs the young generation say what is that, so i have to say the Model 12 so if they laid side by side i would pick up the model 12

 

Model 12 for me between those 2, I have shot them in competition so would be like a old friend.

 

I agree with others on the 870. Much easier to breakdown to clean and repair. And stock replacement is so much easier.

 

The trigger group of the 870 may look a bit like a mousetrap, but it's one heck of a mousetrap.

Brilliant design, really. There's a screw holding the buttstock on, but that's about it. Essentially toolless takedown. Simplified to build, yet designed to gobble up thousands upon thousands of rounds in competition, unlike the cheaper yet pump designs which followed.

$150 on eBay should net you an aluminum trigger group and chromed bolt assembly, and that parts kit should get you out of most breakdowns in less than five minutes.

Yes, the styling lacks some of the intricate machining of older designs, but it makes up for that with graceful curves, and they look pretty damn fine with B or C grade wood.

Larry

 

I still shoot a Model 12 weekly. In everything from locals to ATA. It's my back up after selling my main gun but I'm 100% confident with it. It also shoots laser beams. Neither is a bad choice though it's personal preference.

 

Model 12. The Perfect Repeater.

 

I will choose Remington 870 Wingmaster over and over again.

 

I will choose Remington 870 Wingmaster over and over again.

 

I will post over and over again.

 

In my 57 years of playing with trapguns I have owned a bunch of mdl12's .. I just traded my last 1956 milled receiver to a friend . They are great guns.

 

Model 12
100%
Nothing crushes targets better!!!!!!

 

Remington Model 31 TC is a GREAT trap gun!

 

Nothing points like a Model 12! The 870 although a reliable gun is full
of stamped parts.

 

870 or Model 12

 

The "12".

 

Look up which gun has won the Grand American Handicap perhaps more then any other. The Model 12!!!!
Points like the finger of God!

back in the day Remington did everything it could to make a 870 as good of a target breaking machine as the Model 12.
It never happened!!

I have said this before and I will say it again.
If you are ever in a shoot off with a man no matter his age and he’s shooting a Model 12 bring plenty of shells.
He’s not playing!
He’s there to wear your ass out!!!

 

Look up which gun has won the Grand American Handicap perhaps more then any other. The Model 12!!!!
Points like the finger of God!

back in the day Remington did everything it could to make a 870 as good of a target breaking machine as the Model 12.
It never happened!!

I have said this before and I will say it again.
If you are ever in a shoot off with a man no matter his age and he’s shooting a Model 12 bring plenty of shells.
He’s not playing!
He’s there to wear your ass out!!!

Rudy Etchen must not have gotten the memo lol

 

having owned & shot both I would pick the 870 only due to the ease of take down & cleaning

 

Model 12.

 

If you compare production numbers 10,000,000 870's is the clear winner over 2,000,000 Model 12's while sales figures don't tell the whole story. The Model 12 after 113 years is still favored by many over 76 years of devoted 870 shooters. The 870 simplicity of manufacturing won the battle over milled steel while the war continues which is the better pump gun.

I've owned Model 12's and chrome lifter 870's, prefer the Model 12 for balance and pump action shorter throw than the 870 which is front heavy for me. The 870 design flaw for me is the ejector and housing, if you break it not easy replaceable as the Model 12. So many Model 12's nearly 100 years old, some in horrible condition still function flawlessly with original parts. The 870 is a close second, advertise as "Wing Master" while the Model 12 still resigns as "Perfect Repeater".

 

I've had both and they are great guns ..... the barrel exchange is a lot easier with an 870

 

Remington 870 because its shares a lot with a 1100 that I am familiar with.
The Winchester Model 12 is a very nice Pump as well.