Anybody here with experience with one of these guns? Seems to handle nicely and point pretty well. Is this a good deal or should I wait for an 870?
Thanks!
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HS/LD
February 4, 2003, 06:24 PM
Ahhh!
It seems to me mate you have struck gold!
The FN Police Shotgun is the same beast as the Winchester Defender 1300. (The Defender is made under license from FN by US Repeating Arms, Co.)
I purchased a Winchester 1300 Defender in late November last year. I have had it for only two months and now have over 4000 shells through it without a glitch! I am currently running 2000+ without a cleaning… The action is incredibly smooth and amazingly fast right out of the box, due in part to the rotary bolt design.
After racking the pump several hundred times on mine in an attempt to ensure reliable operation after searching for burs or high spots to remove I gave up I couldn’t find any. Smooth right out of the box! You will be pleasantly surprised how the action will basically eject the shell by itself.
The FN / 1300 are know to reliably feed ALL types of shells including mini shells that will choke an 870. The FN also comes stock with a one-piece magazine that holds 7 2 ¾” 12 gauge shells, no need to fiddle around with an extension of any kind.
There is speculation that the aluminum receiver will not be up to the task, I am pretty sure this is a load of bollocks. So far, after 4000 shells, I have not seen any evidence that this is the case. I believe that because the bolt locks completely into the barrel (much like the rotary bolt on an AR15, which also has an aluminum receiver I might add) there are no detrimental stresses placed on the receiver from shell ignition.
FN is one of the premier firearms manufacturers in the world. Their weapons are used everywhere. I cut my teeth in the service on the FN FAL rifles and I believe their designs to be solid and reliable. This FN police shotgun is no exception had been adopted by a number of police and military organizations around the world.
While the Remington 870 has justifiably won the acclaim of a reliable inexpensive SG. It would be remiss to overlook the FN Police / Winchester Defender when considering a HD SG purchase.
Having paid $239 plus tax for the Winchester Defender in Nov 2002 I would jump at the chance of getting an FN police for only $299 with;
Front and rear rifle sights
Receiver top drilled and tapped for installation of optional sights
Corrosion resistant manganese phosphate finish
Interchangeable chokes (Improved,Cylinder and Modified supplied)
Length of pull is shorter on the FN Police by 13 ½” to 14”.
$60 for these extras sounds fantastic!
It seems like an outrageously good deal to me!!
Therefore I have to ask where are you looking at getting the FN Police for $299 from? You could PM me if you would like.
Edited: I have added the link to the TACTICAL shotgun mentioned by Route 66 here:
FN TACTICAL Shotgun w/ collapsible stock. (http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/sg_tactical.htm) Thanks Route 66
Regards,
HS/LD
Route 66
February 4, 2003, 08:03 PM
I checked the FN website that HS/LD posted. You've got to check out the FN Tactical Police SG (for civilian model). 18" barrel, M-16 collapsible stock, picatinny rail!, yes indeed a shotgun version of a M-16! This may be the one for me. Anyone have a price range on this puppy?
Route 66
"Get your kicks on Route 66"
Sir Galahad
February 4, 2003, 08:46 PM
When I first discovered the Winchester 1300 Defender for myself, I was amazed! I kept hearing how "bad" this shotgun was and all I could say was: where?!? Faster than greased lightning---this is practically a semi-auto pump it's that fast! That's why I own two Defenders.
Get that FN shotgun! You are going to LOVE it!!!! That's a helluva good price, too. Run, don't walk, down there and buy it!
Everything HS/LD says is absolutely right. The bolt locks into the barrel just like an M-16/AR-15. It makes no difference if the receiver is aluminum in such a case; you're not going to be using the receiver as a crowbar or hammer anyway. This shotgun feeds everything. Imagine being able to feed all shells from mini-shells to 3" magnums! Both of mine have never once had a glitch and I've got a few thousand rounds through both myself. The weapon takes down so easy to clean, you'll be amazed.
hondo68
February 5, 2003, 05:20 AM
Thanks for the info HS/LD! I was going to get the Win 1300 camp defender 22" barrel, instead of the 18" defender because of the interchangable chokes. But now I'm going for the FN police. Found it at http://www.arizonagunrunners.com/Specials/specials.html for $299.95. That's if the local tyrants will allow it into California.
I guess the Win (riffled) Chokes will fit?
Dave McCracken
February 5, 2003, 06:33 AM
A note about 1300s, Badger.....
This piece seems to be a 1300 by proxy. I like the 1300s, I just like the 870s more.
An 870 will outlast about anything manmade, except possibly Stonehenge.
Allasame,the 1300 will outlast most users,tho our young friend HS/LD may prove the exception(G)...
Any of the Big Four make fine defense and GP shotguns. Pick the one that feels best, and BA/UU/R.
If this FN feels good to you, $300 is a good price for a recreational/"Serious" shotgun that will do moat anything you want to.
And while old curmudgeons like me prefer steel receivers, no one I know thinks the alloy receiver on the AR/M-16 weapon is short lived.
El Tejon
February 5, 2003, 08:14 AM
When I sold guns in undergrad, 1300s used to break when being shown to customers. Maybe GIAT improved the quality??? Something the frogs did right?
Marshall
February 5, 2003, 09:51 AM
It isn't this FN Police Autoloader by any chance is it? Surely not? If it is, at $299.00 you found the end of the rainbow!
That "TACTICAL Police Shotgun" still looks like someone did a photoshop cut and paste.
Kahr carrier
February 6, 2003, 09:31 AM
Sounds like a bargain.:)
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