[Sentry]

Only have these two choices, so please give your opinion only on the two. Will be a 12 gauge for mainly target shooting. Both cost the same.

[Quartus]

Fiirst things first:


Welcome to THR!


I've had an 870. I have a 1300. When I can afford it, a new 870 will replace the 1300. The Winchester is a good gun, but the 870 is a great gun.



No, I won't be selling the 1300 - it will just move to back up position.

[Sentry]

Been here for awhile actually ;) What on the 870 over the 1300 do you like? The guy that wants it is thinking he likes it due to the capacity basically...

[Kampfer]

The trigger assembly in the 1300 is easier to clean. I have shot an express, a 870P, Win1300, Nova, Norinko, Win1200.
I think the Win1300 and the Win1200 had the smoothest action with the Nova comming in a close third.

The 870's have a better trigger though and the saftey is in a better location.

Basically they have good and bad points but after shooting the 870 I wasn't impressed and the actions were not as slick as the 1300. I didn't feel like paying 150 bucks more for the 870 so I went with the 1300.

[sm]

Gun fit would be my first concern. Check the search on Gun fit for a better explanation. Especially if main use is for target work.

FWIW the 1300 fits me pretty good off the rack. 870s I see the back end of reciever, I mean the back end, no bbl or rib( too much drop). Trap stock is better on 870, but still not there. So I prefer the 870 and have to alter the comb. Just my preference. Any of the 2 is fine , hence the gun fit may determine which for you. Me, I can grab a 1300 and bust targets. Been known to shoot another's 870...after styrofoam cups and tape...or moleskin applied ...I'm ready. Chuckles stop after the first straight and people quit looking at my temporary handiwork...start focusing on thier own targets.

[Dave McCracken]

Both are darn good shotguns.The 870 may outlast the 1300, but our correspondent Cameron Lamont is out to find out for sure. 20K plus rounds in two years, no probs with his 1300.

I invoke the McCrule. Get the one that FEELS best.

HTH...

[ruger357]

870.

[hillbilly]

The answer, of course, to your question is YES!!!!!!!!!

Any way you can squeeze out a little extra bucks and get both?

hillbilly

[Quartus]

Both are darn good shotguns....

.....Get the one that FEELS best.


Can't argue with that!

[Sentry]

Fit is essentially irrelevent, can learn to adapt to either one. Both fit fine and cost the exact same. Can't afford to get both, and only want one to last for a few years...

[Kampfer]

Well, they are both pump guns so there really ain't much difference. Well maybe the one difference thats stands out is the rotary bolt system on the Win1300. Its an inertia assisted rotary bolt system, this allows you to cycle a round faster than a normal pump (Because the inertia is assisting the pump action). How inertia assisted is it?? Well a co-worker fired a few rounds one handed (with good stance) and both times the gun ejected the round by itself!!

Now if you don't even care too much about that then I'd say take both guns stand in front of a mirror and pick the one that looks best on you :D

Summary of differences I see:
Winchester 1300 Defender: 7+1rnd capacity, True Glow front sights, inertia assisted rotary bolt system,

870 Exp/Syn: 4rnd capacity, bead sights, better (crisp) trigger

good luck deciding

[Guyon]

Another consideration might be future add-ons. The Remington 870 is the Ruger 10/22 of the shotgun world. If you want a bell or whistle for your shotgun later on, someone makes it for the 870.

[Sentry]

Can you get an extended tube for the 870 to bring it up to the 7+1?

[Cameron Lamont]

I wouldn't get too worried about accessaries for the Winchester. They are available all over the place.

What accessories can you get for an 870 you can't get for a 1300?

Cameron

[Kampfer]

yes,

If you decide to put a mag extension on the express you gotta do some work. Because in the mag tube there are these two little bumps that hold the cap on and those would need to be filed down or else the follower will jam on it. But that shouldn't stop you from buying an 870.

[Sentry]

Do you know anywhere where you could get a tube or instructions on installing?

[Dave McCracken]

Most of the aftermarket catalog places like Brownell's and Midway carry the extensions, Sentry. So do gun shops. Check the archives for threads on installation or call the makers...

[Sentry]

I just looked at Brownells...that can't be right, they want 120 dollars for 4 inches of tube steel? They also say it's Law Enforcement only.

[Dave McCracken]

Can't be right, Sentry, but I do not have the catalog here. Most of the aftermarkets can get you one for less than $50, (WEG).

[Dave Markowitz]

Choate Machine & Tool has their 7 shot extension for the 870 priced at $35.75.

http://www.riflestock.com/

[cookie]

There are two American-made firearms you can never go wrong with, the Remington 870 and the Remington 700.

[keederdag]

1300 been there, done that, hated the roto bolt. Go with the 870, it's a workhorse!:)