Some info on the 1200 and 1300 Winchester pump

[Pappadoc]

I am considering purchasing a preowned 1300 Winchester pump. The guy doesn't have the win choke tubes so I looked around and found a set of Winchoke tubes that look like the same ones I had for my old Win Ranger 1200. Are they "interchangeable"? Thats the million dollar question. One other thing concerns me. If that dummy has shot this gun without the tubes (and I'm afraid he has) wouldn't the threads be buggered up where I can get the tubes to screw in properly? Thanks to anyone that can give me some feedback!

 

[bannockburn]

I think at different times Winchester offered several versions of their choke tubes. I remember early ones had a knurled end on them and were slightly extended past the end of the barrel. Later ones were flush mounted with the barrel. Maybe check online with Midway or Brownells to see what they have to offer in regards to compatability with the various Winchester models.

 

[Pappadoc]

Good idea. WHat about the threads, you think they could be damaged? I would hate to buy the gun and find I can't get the tubes to screw down properly. I would be forced to purchase a new barrel in that case. I am pretty certain these 2 guns use the type that is extended past the barrel which are the earlier ones if memory serves. I sold a 1200 Ranger that was made in the early 80's and that was exactly the type it used. I picked up a spanner wrench from "Midwest Gun Works" which was a big help, but they didn't carry the extra tubes I needed. Anyway I'll check Brownells and Midway both. Thank you for the reply!

 

[bannockburn]

Pappadoc

Glad I could be of some help. A quick search turned up some choke tubes on Gunbroker and EBay. A couple of years ago I was looking for another barrel for my 1300 and while I eventually found one online they were becoming harder to find and quite a bit more expensive in price.

 

[eastbank]

the win choke tubes are the same as mossberg and browning invector(not the invector plus). eastbank.

 

[Nickel Plated]

If the threads are messed up you don't necessarily have to buy a new barrel if it's that hard to find. You could always have the existing one cut back to just behind the existing tubes and a new thread cut. Though I imagine the threading work would cost about the same as a new barrel. The cut you can do yourself. Though the upside is you can rethread it to whatever chokes you already have on hand so it's interchangeable with your other guns.

 

[748]

Yes the barrels are getting a lot more expensive.
After I found a rifled barrel for my 1300 at a gun show and paid for $50 I took my smooth bore "deer slayer" barrel and sold it on ebay. I expected to get $50, nope it went for $220.

I always bought mossburg chokes, usually from walmart for my politically correct 28'' barrel.

Since I have the sawed off 14 inch barrel and the rifled 20 inch barrel that's all I need, I may sell the 28'' barrel, I am sure some one could use it.

 

[jaguarxk120]

There are plastic parts in the gun that are not made and can not be replaced!!
Remember if something wears out or breaks it can't be fixed.

Go looking for a nice used Remington Wingmaster, leave the Express on the shelf.

 

[rule303]

The 1200 and 1300 series were often looked down on because they replaced the classic model 12. They were well designed, and smooth shooting pump guns as good or better than the competitors guns at the same price point. There is nothing inherently better about an 870 than a 1300, except availability of aftermarket parts. The only weak link I am aware of was the plastic magazine throat on the early models. Improved magazine throats are available from multiple sources. Choke tubes, as noted above are interchangeable with Mossberg accu-choke, Browning invector, and Weatherby, the only difference being that Win-chokes had a knurled section that extended past the end of the barrel to install with a spanner.

 

[1KPerDay]

Since I have the sawed off 14 inch barrel

Careful how loud you say that.

 

[jaguarxk120]

The 1200/1300/1400 shotguns are not looked down on. But rather looked at as Winchesters attempt to make a functioning gun as cheaply as possible.

The guns work well, but they won't stand up to the stress of competition shooting, that is thousands of shells shot during the season.

Many people will post that they have them and they are good guns, but those guns are shot only a few times during the year.

 

[748]

The ATF received their $200 bribe a long time ago and the gun is where I told them it will be.

 

[1KPerDay]

Ah, cool. I didn't notice your sig before or I wouldn't have said anything.

 

[Nickel Plated]

There is nothing inherently better about an 870 than a 1300, except availability of aftermarket parts.

There's always this talk of no aftermarket parts for 1300s. the reality is, they may not have the wide selection of useless junk available for them like Remingtons and Mossbergs. But anything that you ought to be putting on a shotgun is available for the Winchester.
Want a mag extension? got it.
Side saddle? Got it.
Railed foreend or scope base? Got it.
Collapsible, retractable,or PGO stocks? Got em.
Heatshields? Got those too.
Flashlight or laser mounts? Yep

I guess if you want to use your gun like a chainsaw or breach the doors in your own house, then you should look at a Mossberg. But otherwise the aftermarket support for the Winchester is as good as any other common pump out there.

 

[Uniquedot]

The 1200/1300/1400 shotguns are not looked down on. But rather looked at as Winchesters attempt to make a functioning gun as cheaply as possible.

The guns work well, but they won't stand up to the stress of competition shooting, that is thousands of shells shot during the season.

Where would this information have come from? Benelli uses the same type system on their shotguns. The lockup on the Winchesters confine breech pressure better than any other type system available to us. I've personally used them since 1982 although I now only own one I can assure you that they are durable firearms.

 

[PabloJ]

Where would this information have come from? Benelli uses the same type system on their shotguns. The lockup on the Winchesters confine breech pressure better than any other type system available to us. I've personally used them since 1982 although I now only own one I can assure you that they are durable firearms.

The problem is Winchester guys use Model 12 as measuring stick for any other pump repeater. This does NOT work. That is hard to understand as Remington guys do not compare Mossberg to Model 31. Personally I would screw Mossberg 500 choke tube into that 1300 "MossbergChester" and not worry about anything too much.

 

[Uniquedot]

The problem is Winchester guys use Model 12 as measuring stick for any other pump repeater.

Well I'll have to admit that I'm guilty of the same and have always felt the model 12 was the best hammerless repeating shotgun made. Most of my time with repeaters over the last dozen or so years have been with the 870 wingmaster though, but I sure wouldn't call the 1300's weak actions as they're probably stronger than the Remingtons and most assuredly stronger than the small lock up area on a Mossberg. Today however I am more inline with the opinion that any repeater will outlast it's asking price easily whether it's a cheap gun with sloppy tolerances like the 500's or a more expensive gun with very tight tolerances like a 37 or wingmaster/police. I've read much positive feedback on Chinese clones of late too. Whichever gun has the controls that a shooter prefers is probably the best one made (for him/her) regardless of tolerances/price. I still prefer Winchester controls on a hunting gun, but have grown very fond of the lightning fast speed of the first shot with a wingmaster for a defense gun due to the safety position. I've also grown quite fond of the short and noticeably light weight of the Mossberg 500 with it's 18.5" security barrel and if it had sturdier action bars like an 870 or 1300 I'd like it even more.