Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge – Superb Pump Shotgun

Description

The Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge packs a full length shotgun barrel into something shorter than most carbines. Moving the action behind the trigger, which is what bullpup means, lets it carry a nineteen inch barrel in an overall length under thirty inches. Underneath it holds two separate magazine tubes selected by a switch, so you can keep buckshot in one and slugs in the other and change what the gun is loaded with in about a second. Total capacity runs to fourteen shells with two and three quarter inch ammunition.

Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge Layout, Tubes And Barrel

The two magazine tubes are the most useful thing about the Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge and the feature owners talk about first. A selector switch decides which tube feeds, so one can hold buckshot and the other slugs, and switching between them takes a flick rather than a reload. For a home defense shotgun that is a genuine capability, and for anyone shooting a variety of loads it saves a great deal of unloading and reloading.

Bullpup layout is what makes the length of the Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge work. Putting the action behind the trigger group means a nineteen inch barrel fits inside an overall length shorter than many carbines, which matters in hallways, vehicles and anywhere you have to move the muzzle through a doorway. You get full barrel performance in a package that handles like something much smaller.

The barrel is threaded for Rem-choke tubes, so you can fit anything from a cylinder bore for defensive buckshot to a tighter constriction for slugs or clays. That is a standard pattern and tubes are widely available.

A full length top rail takes optics and the handguard carries M-LOK slots for a light, which on a defensive shotgun matters more than almost anything else.

Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge Handling Quirks And Honest Limits

Bullpups handle differently and it takes practice. On the Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge the balance sits well back toward your shoulder, which makes the gun feel lighter than it is but also makes it swing differently than a conventional shotgun. Anyone coming from a traditional pump will need range time before it feels natural, and the short pump stroke sits closer to the body than you expect.

The controls on the Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge are the other adjustment. The safety, the tube selector and the action release are not where a shotgun shooter reflexively reaches, and under stress people default to their training. Dry practice with the manual in hand is worth doing before this becomes a house gun.

Ammunition sensitivity on the Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge is worth knowing about. Like most pump shotguns with tube magazines, the loading gates want shells within a normal length range, and mini shells are not recommended. Stick to standard two and three quarter and three inch ammunition.

It is also left hand unfriendly in the way most bullpups are, with ejection close to the face on the wrong side. Left handed shooters should handle one before buying.

Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge Specifications

• Manufacturer part number: 12490
• UPC: 022188880137
• Gauge: 12 gauge, 3 inch chamber
• Capacity: up to 14 rounds across two magazine tubes
• Barrel: 19 inches, Rem-choke threaded
• Action: pump, bullpup layout
• Overall length: under 30 inches
• Rail: full length top rail for optics
• Handguard: M-LOK compatible
• Selector: manual switch between magazine tubes

Anyone comparing the Smith Wesson M P12 against a conventional defensive pump is buying two things at once. As a Bullpup Pump Shotgun it fits a full length barrel into a package shorter than most carbines, which is what makes it maneuverable indoors. As a Dual Magazine Tube Shotgun it lets you switch between two different loads without unloading the gun, which no ordinary shotgun can do.

Why Buyers Choose The Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge

Buy the Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge if you want a home defense shotgun that is easy to move with and holds a great deal of ammunition. Fourteen shells across two selectable tubes is far more than a conventional pump carries, the short overall length makes it manageable in a hallway or a vehicle, and the rail and M-LOK slots mean a light and an optic fit without gunsmithing.

Skip it if you shoot clays or hunt birds, where a conventional shotgun with a longer barrel and normal balance will serve you far better. Skip it if you are left handed, since bullpup ejection is awkward on that side. And skip it if you will not put in the practice time, because the controls are unlike any shotgun you have used.

Who Should Buy The Smith Wesson M P12 Bullpup 12 Gauge

This shotgun suits home defense buyers, people who want a compact long gun for a vehicle or a small space, and shooters who value capacity and the ability to switch loads instantly. It also appeals to anyone who wants a defensive shotgun that stores in less room than a conventional one. It is a poor fit for hunting, clays, left handed shooters, and anyone unwilling to learn a new manual of arms. All firearm sales ship to a licensed FFL dealer for transfer, and shotgun configuration and capacity rules vary by state, so confirm your local law before ordering.

Learn more about this shotgun from the manufacturer, or see more firearms available at MAG5 Firearms.