870 vs. 1300 (Steel vs. Aluminum)

[CZSteve]

Comapring the Remington 870 and a the Winchester 1300.
Gun will be dual purpose, home defense and clays/dove.

Have obviously been reading previous posts comparing the two, but how does the steel receiver vs the aluminum receiver affect perceived recoil? If at all.

Any thoughts are obviously welcome.

 

[ilmonster]

Recoil really isn't affected by the steel vs. aluminum as both guns (say with 28" barrels) weigh between 7 and 8 pounds. As usual, I would pick the one that fits you best. I own the 1300, and have had no problems with it, but if an 870 fit me better, I would have had no problem buying one of them. Good luck!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Non issue. Pick the one that feels best.

 

[ruger357]

Dave is right as usual. I have owned both and prefer the 870, you may prefer the 1300 which is also a great shotgun. Pick the one that crumbles your cookies and go out and enjoy.

 

[pauli]

s/one-that-fits-you-best/one-of-each

 

[Steve Moses]

Here is my two pennies worth.

Get the 870.

The ejection port on the 870 is larger in case you have to manually dig a shotshell out of the action.

After-market accessories abound for the 870.

If you opt to someday mount a sidesaddle on your shotgun, the steel receiver of the 870 is fairly impervious to being overly compressed if the mounting screws are excessively tightened. Alloy receivers can be pinched, which may or may not impede the bolt.

Nothing is wrong with the 1300, but you have a little more flexibility with the 870, in my opinion.

 

[MrAcheson]

If you opt to someday mount a sidesaddle on your shotgun, the steel receiver of the 870 is fairly impervious to being overly compressed if the mounting screws are excessively tightened. Alloy receivers can be pinched, which may or may not impede the bolt.

On the other hand the Remmie may need new furniture to accommodate the side saddle and the winchester won't IIRC.

Pick what you like best. Its a coin flip on Winnie vs Remmie. Of the guns I have handled the Winnie is nicer at the same price point. The 870 Express models around here just feel cheap. On the other hand I don't doubt the Remmie will last longer and have more locally available accessories. Pick what you like.