1KPerDay
Member
Nice scattergun, ATAshooter.
BTW folks this is a 7-year-old thread.
BTW folks this is a 7-year-old thread.
Why 870 over 1300?
- Thread starter natedog
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MCgunner
Member
WOW, that's some pretty wood on that trap gun!
I think the 1300 is more to my liking... it is lighter and smoother. It won't break from anything I expect to do with it, same as the 870. Who's even ever heard of a broken 1300 receiver? I hear this criticism with Mossberg shotguns as well, but I don't think it's relevant. It just isn't likely to happen.
I notice I posted a reply to this thread back in 2003. Wow! At that time I had two 1300s and one 870. Now I have no 1300s and 3 870s. I'm not going to argue that the 870 is "better" and I did really like my 1300s. Eventually, I got another 870 and somewhat "lucked into" a third. Wanting to consolidate in a number of areas, I ended up going with the 870, even though it is heavier, largely because of USRAC's issues with closings, discontinuations, etc., etc. When they re-announced the "Speed Pump" a couple years back, it was a gun made in Turkey (don't know where they make them now). I'm not against Turkish guns per se, but given a choice, I chose to go with an American manufacturer of a classic, time-proven shotgun, the 870. People can debate whether the 1300 is as durable as an 870. No one debates whether an 870 is as durable as a 1300. I like them both and the Winchester 1300s I owned were very fast and very smooth. That said, I run the 870 just fine and I have faith in it. Regardless of what barrel combination I choose to run, the chassis on my 870s are all "police models". I have faith in their quality and their reliability. Parkerizing is not as pretty as blued but it's as good as the finish on my Winchesters, or better. I have nothing against Birch but two of mine are walnut and the third is synthetic. I'm happy but see no reason why someone who chooses a 1300 would be unhappy.
eastbank
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i have seen alot of trap guns( i have been shooting trap since 1960) and not one looked like that after 275,000, that goes for all makes on the line. just the handleing alone wears the finish off of recievers, now take pumping it over 275,000 time loading and shooting it and pumping it to unload the empty. and you will see alot wear on the breech block,op rod and reciever and the trigger too. i use a bt-100 and i have worn the gold plate off of several triggers and the sides of the reciever are all most silver now. and i don,t have near 275,000 shells thru it. if any one has any shotgun with 275,000 shells thru it,please post pictures of it. eastbank.
I have an 870, and a mossberg 500.
I bought my father a 1300.
Here are my rankings for various criteria:
Ease of Disassembly:
1st- 870
2nd- 500
3rd- 1300
Smooth operation:
1st- 1300
2nd-870
3rd- 500
Subjective feel of durability
1st- 870
500 and 1300 tie.
In the end, the 1300 is probably going to last just as long, and be just as tough as the 870 and it's smoother than the 870. The only real, practical downside is that it's not nearly as easy to disassemble for cleaning as the 870.
I bought my father a 1300.
Here are my rankings for various criteria:
Ease of Disassembly:
1st- 870
2nd- 500
3rd- 1300
Smooth operation:
1st- 1300
2nd-870
3rd- 500
Subjective feel of durability
1st- 870
500 and 1300 tie.
In the end, the 1300 is probably going to last just as long, and be just as tough as the 870 and it's smoother than the 870. The only real, practical downside is that it's not nearly as easy to disassemble for cleaning as the 870.
jlv08
Member
I've had a couple in 1200/1300 and a semi auto model 140 that was real nice and reliable. I've fixed a few that were not operative due to neglect and basically just needed a detail cleaning.
One in particular looked like it was gummed up like an old small block chevy valve train with high miles and very few oil changes.
Once cleaned, they were up and running and have been slaying doves and other small game and no doubt, are not being cleaned.
I don't mind cleaning them as it saves me the expense of having to pay for a hunting lease.
The Winchester 1200/1300 are very good guns and can be had for very reasonable money around these parts.
One in particular looked like it was gummed up like an old small block chevy valve train with high miles and very few oil changes.
Once cleaned, they were up and running and have been slaying doves and other small game and no doubt, are not being cleaned.
I don't mind cleaning them as it saves me the expense of having to pay for a hunting lease.
The Winchester 1200/1300 are very good guns and can be had for very reasonable money around these parts.
ol' scratch
Member
I guess it depends on what fits you and which is cheaper. The 1300 I looked at when I was shopping was a nice gun, but the 870 I looked at fit my huge monkey arms better and was cheaper. I was use to hunting with a heavier shotgun-Ithaca Mag-10. I tend to raise the lighter shotguns too quickly.
Both are great shotguns. The 870, I would think, has more aftermarket parts because everybody owns one.
Both are great shotguns. The 870, I would think, has more aftermarket parts because everybody owns one.
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Virginian
Member
The Model 12 has a following because some people equate hand work in building with quality. I have a friend who collects Model 12s. He babies all his guns. He has spent more on gunsmith repairs to his Model 12s than I have spent on new shotguns in the last 30 years. I do not see where one in good shape is a bit better than a Wingmaster.
The Wingmaster and the Express are miles apart in my opinion. I would say the 1300 is at least the equal of the Express, and if you like the controls better, go for it. A Wingmaster, either new or 60 years old still has the edge in my book. Smooth, I like the controls, the fit, and the balance.
The Wingmaster and the Express are miles apart in my opinion. I would say the 1300 is at least the equal of the Express, and if you like the controls better, go for it. A Wingmaster, either new or 60 years old still has the edge in my book. Smooth, I like the controls, the fit, and the balance.
ATAShooter
Member
Eastbank, I think the reason the finish isn't worn off of the receiver so bad is because the forearm on it comes way far back when it is open to carry it without carrying it by the actual receiver. It does have some wear spots on the finish externally, here and there, she isn't mint. Dad was a freak about this thing. It got wiped down externally after every event ( a tradition I still do to it ). It has shot the elements, cold, rain, snow, ect. ( we lived in Dayton, in Northridge, about 2 miles from Vandalia then ). Dad would listen to the weather report the day before a shoot, then if precipitation was in the forecast, he would put Vasaline on a rag and put a thin film on it, then clean it all off after the shoot. One time I borrowed it to go on a dove hunt, and when he found out it had been in a field ( He thought I used it for trap ) he beat my a$$ royally. I think ( if I remember right ) Dad said he paid 175.00 for it brand new, and had to make payments on it thru the local loan company ( in 1964, Dad's mortgage payment was 67.00 mo. ). He said there were 6 there on the rack that year with what HE called "Glass Type" wood. He said the rest had the grain, but was regular oil finish. Aint that some crap?, a trap gun for 175.00?
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DAVIDSDIVAD
member
If Barrett is willing to use aluminum in a .50 caliber rifle, I don't see why some people make a big deal out of using it on a 12 ga shotgun.
eastbank
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a good friend bought the trap grade mossberg they made(i think it was in the 70,s) with the high rib and trap stock and shot in out in 4 years. its just a personal choice and i prefer steel. i think the weak part in the win. 1200-1300-1400 series was the long spring ejector. and the big barret 50 is not fired enought in the service to break it and the light weight is a big plus. if aluminum would take the pounding the m-2 50 ca. machine gun would have been made in aluninum to save weight. you just don,t see aluminum recievered shotguns on the trap,skeet or sporting clays ranges, unless its a beginer. in the hunting field its a totaly different game and light weight is a big plus as you carry them more than you shoot them. eastbank
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Milkmaster
Member
If you have a 1300 with an aluminum receiver (they all do), AND you are using it for home defense, AND you are shooting it enough to wear it out any time soon. Then let me suggest you move away from where you live now. The shotgun receiver being steel or aluminum is NOT your worst problem
My opinion as to why you don't see aluminum receivers on guns at the trap range is weight. I added weight to my trap setup 1300 for that very reason. Trap shooters typically use a heavier gun to help reduce felt recoil. Steel = heavy. An exception to that is an Ithaca 37. There isn't a pump made that I have shot that kicks more than a light weight Ithaca 37 and it is steel. I also added weight recently to make my 37 more recoil friendly during repeated shots at the trap range just because I want to shoot it often.
The nicer trap guns are indeed steel and typically weigh a bit more. That is not to mention the trap grade guns are higher end shotguns. I don't always use a pump for my trap gun, but I have several pumps and have them set up for trap, because that is where I use them.
Friends, shoot what you have whether it is steel, aluminum, or whatever. Enjoy the hobby or put meat on the table. I can't remember the last time I saw any major brand shotgun of either material that was worn out beyond functionality if not abused. I would suppose we may see even more exotic materials used in years to come, and I guess they will be debated as well.
A lot of grief over nothing? I guess it is still fun to debate though huh? Maybe the weather will break soon and we all won't be staying inside as much arguing about such things.
My opinion as to why you don't see aluminum receivers on guns at the trap range is weight. I added weight to my trap setup 1300 for that very reason. Trap shooters typically use a heavier gun to help reduce felt recoil. Steel = heavy. An exception to that is an Ithaca 37. There isn't a pump made that I have shot that kicks more than a light weight Ithaca 37 and it is steel. I also added weight recently to make my 37 more recoil friendly during repeated shots at the trap range just because I want to shoot it often.
The nicer trap guns are indeed steel and typically weigh a bit more. That is not to mention the trap grade guns are higher end shotguns. I don't always use a pump for my trap gun, but I have several pumps and have them set up for trap, because that is where I use them.
Friends, shoot what you have whether it is steel, aluminum, or whatever. Enjoy the hobby or put meat on the table. I can't remember the last time I saw any major brand shotgun of either material that was worn out beyond functionality if not abused. I would suppose we may see even more exotic materials used in years to come, and I guess they will be debated as well.
A lot of grief over nothing? I guess it is still fun to debate though huh? Maybe the weather will break soon and we all won't be staying inside as much arguing about such things.
ATAShooter
Member
Oh, I am not arguing which is better, no no, please don't take it like that. Anything man made can fail. Heck, when Glocks came out, I was like, " Who the hell wants a plastic pistol ?". I now own an XD and love it.
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chas08
Member
I'll second that. Beautiful wood!!!! I wouldn't be surprised if it cost less than $200 back in the day either.
md7
Member
ATA, nice 1200 there. thanks for the pic.
md7
Member
and i'd also like to add that i own both the 1300 and 870 in varying configurations. i have no real preference for one over another. just like em both. i don't care about aluminum vs. steel receivers.
DAVIDSDIVAD
member
What did we learn today class?
wear and tear on a pump action 12 ga shotgun = wear and tear on a .50BMG heavy machine gun > wear and tear on a .50 bmg bolt gun.
SwampWolf
Member
Something that matters to me (more than most, I suppose ) is the location of the safety on any firearm, but especially on a shotgun. When rating them, I rank the tang-mounted safety tops (no pun intended). The second best location (and only one shotgun had it to my knowledge) is where the safety is found on the long-discontinued Browning Double Auto-behind the trigger guard, not just in back. Thirdly, a safety on the front part of the trigger guard (like the one on the 1300). And my last choice is where the one on the 870 is-at the back of the guard.
Safety locations are not "deal-breakers" for me and any location can be adapted to with practice. But, everything else being equal (and they almost are when comparing the 870 to the 1300), I look where the safety is.
) is the location of the safety on any firearm, but especially on a shotgun. When rating them, I rank the tang-mounted safety tops (no pun intended). The second best location (and only one shotgun had it to my knowledge) is where the safety is found on the long-discontinued Browning Double Auto-behind the trigger guard, not just in back. Thirdly, a safety on the front part of the trigger guard (like the one on the 1300). And my last choice is where the one on the 870 is-at the back of the guard.Safety locations are not "deal-breakers" for me and any location can be adapted to with practice. But, everything else being equal (and they almost are when comparing the 870 to the 1300), I look where the safety is.
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