Smith & Wesson mod 12-4
The Smith & Wesson (S&W) Model 12 is .38 Special revolver on Smith & Wesson's K-frame (medium size) platform. It is an aluminium alloy-frame version of the Model 10 (also known as the M&P). It was made from 1953 to 1986 in both two- and four-inch (102 mm) barrel configurations. It weighs 19 oz (524 g) unloaded. Early models used an aluminium cylinder as well as frame.
The Model 12 variants 12-1, 12-2, and 12-3 used a narrower hammer and had an aluminium grip frame that was 0.08-inch (2.0 mm) narrower than the standard steel K-frame. The final version, the Model 12-4, used the standard frame dimension of the other K-frames. It also featured a rounded butt.
The two-inch barrel Model 12 is also called a snub-nose. Detectives and others with licenses to carry find the snub-nosed revolver, such as the vintage Model 12, concealable, lighter in weight than its longer-barrelled twins, and in an emergency, easy to deploy with its trim wood grips and round butt. It is also a proven performer as a back-up pistol for some officers, who carry a larger calibre pistol at their waist.
