Hello there. I was looking at a Model 12 in riot configuration today and would love some clarification as to the proper bbl length. Serial no. dates it to 1957. No martial or LE markings. I know it is supposed to be 20 inches. After inserting a cleaning rod to contact the bolt face and marking, the measurement is 20 3/4″. Is this acceptable for a riot?And is this the proper way to measure Model 12 bbl length? Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Bob,
That is the correct method to measure the barrel length. The first thing you should do is to verify what the choke marking on the barrel is… for a Riot Gun it should be marked “CYL”. The next thing to look at is the precise location of the front sight bead… it should be exactly .50″ from the muzzle face. If either of those do not match up with what I have indicated, you have your answer.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Bob,That is the correct method to measure the barrel length. The first thing you should do is to verify what the choke marking on the barrel is… for a Riot Gun it should be marked “CYL”. The next thing to look at is the precise location of the front sight bead… it should be exactly .50″ from the muzzle face. If either of those do not match up with what I have indicated, you have your answer.
Bert
Thanks Bert. I did neglect to measure the bead distance. It “looked right”, and I didnt bother. The first thing I checked was the choke which is correct. Are you saying that if the bead distance and CYL choke are correct that the barrel length doesn’t have to be exactly 20 inches?
Bob Moore said
Bert H. said
Bob,
That is the correct method to measure the barrel length. The first thing you should do is to verify what the choke marking on the barrel is… for a Riot Gun it should be marked “CYL”. The next thing to look at is the precise location of the front sight bead… it should be exactly .50″ from the muzzle face. If either of those do not match up with what I have indicated, you have your answer.
Bert
Thanks Bert. I did neglect to measure the bead distance. It “looked right”, and I didnt bother. The first thing I checked was the choke which is correct. Are you saying that if the bead distance and CYL choke are correct that the barrel length doesn’t have to be exactly 20 inches?
There were some Riot Guns made with a barrel length slightly longer than 20.0″, so yes, it is possible that the gun you are looking at is factory original.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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