Differences in the Win 1200 -1300

[Milkmaster]

I have searched the web at different times trying to find out what differences there are between the Winchester 1200 and the 1300.

I found a lot to read about how many of the parts are interchangeable.

I also read "opinions" on it being that the 1300 was introduced to handle 3" shells. I find this confusing when I see 1200 models with a 3 inch chamber.

I read where the 1200 was not as durable as many would like. However, the 1300 does not seem to suffer this reputation as far as I know and can read.

I cannot find anything that says for sure why the 1200 was dropped and the 1300 began and what differences there are between the two. As some of you know, I am a fan of the 1300 and own a couple variations of the same. Some of the most fun in the hobby is to study the history of what I own.

I know some of you like Dave McCracken have a wealth of knowledge on pump guns. Care to chime in here?

 

[dak0ta]

1200's have fixed chokes. I know that for sure while 1300's have interchangeable Winchokes.

 

[PA4476]

I found this on the web. Don't know if it answers the question or not.

The Winchester 1300 shotgun was first introduced in around 1981, when the US Repeating Arms Company (USRAC) took over production of the 'Winchester' brand guns from the Olin / Winchester corporation. In fact, the model 1300 was a slightly modified version of the previous Winchester model 1200 shotgun, which was manufactured by Olin / Winchester between 1964 and 1980.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've been hunting with a Winchester Model 1200 since 1968, and have never had a problem with it. It's pretty durable, as far an I'm concerned, but I can't answer the question concerning the Model 1300, since I've never owned one.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Milkmaster]

In fact, the model 1300 was a slightly modified version of the previous Winchester model 1200 shotgun

It's those modifications I am trying to learn about. Thanks for the input so far.

 

[tellico]

1300

I have two 1300 turkey guns.I know 1300 barrels will work on 1200 but not the opposite.The newer 1300's were drilled and tapped for scope base.I love my 1300's.I bought my first one about 18 yrs ago to turkey hunt with because my 1100 didn't have 3'' chamber.

 

[Ringtail]

The first shotgun I ever owned was a Win. 1200. I bought it new in 1975 and still have it, I think its plenty durable. The reason I bought it instead of the Rem. 870 was because it was cheaper and it came with 3 WinChoke choke tubes. Cheaper was better then because I was making about $2.00/hour shoveling out livestock pens. I don't know if it was the first shotgun to come with choke tubes, but it was the first one I ever saw. I shoot an 870 now but I don't see that its in any way better.

As for your orgianal question, I don't know the diff detween the 1200 and the 1300.

 

[PA4476]

It was indeed the Winchester that first had screw in choke tubes. But it was not the 1200 ... it was a model 59. Made way back in 1960, it had a steel reinforced fiberglass barrel and came with fixed chokes or you could get it with screw in chokes. It was WAY ahead of it's time. Look at this link >>> http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/118936000/118936183/pix836052812.jpg

 

[kirbythegunsmith]

Details

Some of the minor parts have been changed between these models, along with the possibility that the 2-3/4" variant was dropped when the 1300 was produced in favor of the 1200. No more chamber choices, just everybody got the 3" chamber, so one less catalog number (mainly) at that point.
The firing pin was retained by the plate under the bolt that connected the bolt to the slide arms, and many of the 1300's (and all 1200's and semi versions) had a small screw to hold that plate in place- see the larger hole towards the top?



That was one picture used to show the spacing precision of the arms after one had gone loose and had been re-attached with silver braze:



Latest versions of the 1300 had eliminated the screw, and a few malfunctions due to plate slippage gave rise to an extending of the lower retention lip just below the front of the bolt housing to reduce the risk of the plate slipping past from pump handle/wood inertia (especially with turkey magnums).
The plate had a t-shaped upper tip on the firing pin retaining leg at the rear, and the bolt could be totally and securely assembled, set on the slide arms, and inserted as a unit in place.

See 3 versions of bolts assembled:



Most other details were changes in the trigger housing from metal to plastic or other inconsequential details that would not change operation if they were swapped between models. The different pump handle tube length would prevent use of wood not so configured, and a few other minor details may not exactly interchange, such as the latest ejector locating bracket and tiny fixturing screw.
Good thing that the owner of the broken pump shown didn't order a new arm, since the replacement arms were for the tubes with a rear collar much like a Mossberg, with arms pinned rather than rigid spot welds.

[email protected]

 

[Pilot]

I won a Winchester 1300 .12 gauge in a raffle about five or so years ago. I shot it for the first time a few days ago. It was still new in box with the warranty tag attached. I cleaned and lubed it, then proceeded to shoot clay birds with it achieving a 100% "kill" rate over about an hour of shooting with the modified choke that came with it. I couldn't believe it. Great, simple, pump shotgun. I don't see the need for anything else except maybe getting a few more chokes for it. Should be good for bird hunting. Its nice to be able to use light, target loads for skeet.

 

[Milkmaster]

Sounds like Pilot has just joined the rest of us shotgun fans! Glad you had a good day of shooting! Your 1300 will last a long time if you take care of it.

 

[Pilot]

Sounds like Pilot has just joined the rest of us shotgun fans! Glad you had a good day of shooting! Your 1300 will last a long time if you take care of it.

Yes I have! I can't believe I have neglected this great segment of the shooting sports for years and years. I need to start bird hunting again and will probably get another German Shorthaired Pointer to help me out!

 

[Milkmaster]

Seems like a lot of chat lately about the 1200-1300 models. Might be time to pull out this old thread and help out those asking questions. Thanks to Kirby for the pictures he provided in the info about a year ago.

 

[twofifty]

Milkmaster, I am one of those whose been reading up on the Winchester pumps.

Thanks to you, Kirby and Pilot for bringing this old thread back up.

The two disassembly/reassembly youtubes posted in another thread titled "Winchester 1200/1300 disassembly/reassembly vids for those interested" by 1KPerDay are also very useful.

 

[broken]

mossbergs and winchesters.

my jeeps been stuck,go figure,my brother brought out some groceries for us we were ice/snowed in,hes got a big dodge cummins dually 4x4,bashed our long private drive in,anyway hes a mossberg man,has a row of em,he was showing me his new pistol last night he brought and his eyes spotted old buster" my 1200 riot ,does guard duty,he told me never let that one get away ,he wants dibbs on it,maybe for one of his short barrelled mossy"s someday,nahhhhhhh.shoulda heard the howling last night my brother said it sounded like wolves.spooky in the freazing fog.

 

[JNewell]

Zombie thread!

I've owned a 1200 since 1971 and it is still going strong. It came with three WinChoke tubes, by the way!

1200's have fixed chokes. I know that for sure while 1300's have interchangeable Winchokes.

 

[Moose23]

Purchased my 1200 brand new in 1984 as a 14 year old (my dad actually handed the over the money) with $140 in hard-earned tobacco field money. Vent rib and 3 Winchokes. Still my "go to" shotgun for doves, rabbits, squirrels, deer, ducks, turkeys, and skeet. And there's not a shell that it won't cycle.

 

[SwampWolf]

1200's have fixed chokes. I know that for sure while 1300's have interchangeable Winchokes.

Old post and subsequent posters have addressed this misinformation. Many, if not most, Model 1200s came with interchangeable chokes.

 

[rcmodel]

In the 1967 Gun Digest, the 1200 was listed with fixed choke only.

In the 1970 Gun Digest, they listed the fixed choke 1200 for $109.95, and the "New Win-Choke" version for $119.95 with a Mod tube. Additional tubes were $4.95 each.

rc

 

[JNewell]

I got my first 1200 in 1971 or 1972, 26" plain/Winchoke. IIRC, the dealer sold it for $100 even - won't swear to that but I have a pretty clear memory of that because I was a lot younger and saving up that much back then was a big deal. IIRC also, I bought a Model 94 around the same time for the same price.

Sad thing - I recently bought another 1200, 18" "Riot"-choked...$125 OTD. It's not an 870 or a Model 12, but it does go bang.