My Favorite Firearm: A Winchester Model 12 For Clay & Field

by
posted on August 18, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
winpige.jpg

got my first job as a pit boy setting up clay pigeons for the Wyoming State Trap Shoot. From dawn to dusk, we opened the cases of pigeons and loaded the traps. I never thought I could ever get tired of smelling spent shotgun shells, but I was wrong; however, I earned $96 for three days of work, which was a lot of money for a skinny kid growing up in Jackson, Wyo., in 1965.

One evening, as I exited the trap house, I spied an unfired shotgun shell among the piles of empty hulls. I asked the boss if I could shoot it at a clay pigeon, and he replied yes.

Having no gun of my own, he let me borrow one off the rack. I loaded the gun, called for the bird and broke it! Nobody was more surprised than I was. That did it—I was definitely hooked. 

A day or two later, I proceeded to a local gun shop with my parents in search of a shotgun. Hanging on the wall were two that caught my eye. The shop owner didn’t recommend the 12-ga., 3" magnum, but he encouraged me to check out a used Winchester Model 12 in 20 gauge.

Priced at $110, I was a little short, but mom and dad gladly chipped in, and the purchase was made. I owned my very first shotgun, and boy it was really something!

I cut my teeth on that little shotgun, shooting ducks, geese, pheasants, chukars, sage chickens and even clay pigeons. It was my constant companion whenever I went afield. Nowadays, since I finally grew older and got bigger, I did move up to a 12 gauge for most of my shotgunning activities.

Nothing will ever replace that little 20-ga. Model 12 as my favorite firearm, though. It resides in my vault now, long since retired and waiting to be passed on to the grandchildren—but occasionally still fired and always remembered fondly. 

Scott Gantenbein, Wyoming

Latest

Weatherby 307 New Models F
Weatherby 307 New Models F

New For 2025: Weatherby Model 307 Range XP 2.0 & Alpine ST Rifles

Weatherby's Model 307 bolt-action rifle opens up a world of aftermarket components to consumers, thanks to its Model 700 receiver footprint, and the company now has two new models for hunters and sport shooters.

Preview: Thunderbolt To The Rebels | The United States Sharpshooters In The Civil War

Author Darin Wipperman provides a tantalizing glimpse into the world of Berdan’s sharpshooters during the American Civil War.

Gun Of The Week: Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine

This week, we're on the range with the Rock River Arms LAR-22 Tactical Carbine, a rimfire variant of the AR-15 that's designed for reliability and gives enthusiasts a way to shoot affordably.

The Armed Citizen® July 11, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Japanese Last-Ditch Small Arms Of World War II

The crude assortment of fighting tools used by the Japanese during World War II give clues of an unprepared and unmatched last-ditch fight that ultimately lead to Allied victory.

Federal Ammunition Awards 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships

Federal Ammunition recently awarded the 2025 Tom Knapp Memorial Scholarships to two 4-H shooting sports teen ambassadors.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.