[mick53]

Hey,

What is the shell capacity of the Model 1200?

So far I have read "3+1," "4+1" and "5+1" in various places on the Internet. One listing on Gunbroker had the "3+1" capacity and I thought, "That can't be right." But who know? Not me.

I'd like to be sure. It will be a deciding factor (besides condition and so on) for my buying one.

Do any of you guys own one so I can get a correct answer please?

And if you do own one, or have owned one in the past, what do you think of them?

I'm looking at one in a local shop that is a 12 ga and been chopped to 18.5. Asking price is $200. The condition is very good to excellent.

Serial number is L779xxx. Any idea of it's vintage?

I thought because it was chopped the price should be a bit lower,,, but then again if I buy one for the same or a little more I'll have to pay to get it chopped anyway. And the chop job was done right, recrowned and reblued.

Thank you.

[rcmodel]

They shipped with a plug in the mag limiting them to 2-1.

With the plug removed they are 4+1.

See page #11 of the owners manual.
http://media.winchesterguns.com/pdf/om/model1200_om_s.pdf

rc

[firesky101]

Mine is 5+1, maybe different years/options had different capacities.

[mick53]

Tricky question, I guess.

I'll have to go back and look at it and put some shells in it.

Serial #L779xxx. Any educated guesses as to age. I believe they were made for '64-84 or thereabouts.

Anyone know if they were all the same over the years or if there was a "Golden Age" of 1200s or maybe a "bad Years of the 1200" era?

Still looking for someone that owns one who can say if they like it or not.

Thanks fellas.

[rule303]

They are good guns, that got a lot of flak because they replaced the famed model 12. I have a 1300 (essentially the same gun)which I bought new in 1993, tens of thousands of rounds through it without issue. Standard 1200's should hold 4+1, defender models I believe were 5+1 or 8+1 with the extended tube. The 1200 model name carried on in the defender for several years after the rest of the line was changed to 1300, even though they are the same gun. 1300 barrels will fit the 1200 also. Serial # should put it at 1972 or 1973, hard to be sure since there really isn't a lot of information or collectors of that model.

[SleazyRider]

My 1200's never been anything less than 100 percent reliable. Contrary to some of the "authoritative" e-opinions I've read, my points well and fits me to a tee. Nothing awkward or ungainly about it. If I could find an 18-inch barrel at a reasonable price, it would be under my bed at the ready instead of my Benelli.

And, yes, it's four plus one.

[chas08]

The one I owned from 1968 to the early 80's was 4 + 1 and that Im sure of.

[fireman 9731]

I have a Winchester Ranger 120. Which I think is the same as a 1200 basically. Its 5+1 with 2&3/4 inch shells, 4+1 with 3 inch shells. I got mine with a professionally cut down 18 inch barrel recently in a trade. I'm very pleased with it. I like it a lot more than the Remington 870 traded off a few years ago.

[shootniron]

I have the Defender and it is 7+1 with 23/4 and 6+1 with 3". It serves as all-around home defense gun. I have had this gun 28yrs, got it in trade from a friend and did not really want it at the time. In a short time, it became an old friend and I would not consider parting with it. It has been shot a ton and never had a bobble. In my opinion, it is an effective gun as I can put a round on each of three poppers placed 10ft apart in 2.5 seconds from low ready at will (using my shot timer)...and I am not a pumpgun fan.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=162825&stc=1&d=1334544840

[eastbank]

i have a 1300 turkey and like it as its lighter to run and gun turkeys, the only weak item i have heard of is the shell ejector and they are advailable for under 20.00. eastbank.