Help!! Seeking information on Sears Model 200 shotgun

[Southern Shooter]

While in a pawnshop today I found a Sears Model 200 pump shotgun in 20 gauge, chambered for up to 3" shells and has a poly-choke. The numbers on the gun are (1) on the barrel #273.2280 and (2) on the bottom of the receiver #82864. It appears to have a rotary locking bolt similar to the Winchester 1300. Can anyone provide me with information about this gun...age, reliability, quality, any problems, etc.? How much would such a gun be worth? Is it a piece of junk? Mechanically it seems ok. But, the bluing is about all gone. Some dinks on the barrel. The poly-choke appears to work ok...although, it is hard to see the difference between each setting. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[foghornl]

Here is the info:

Sears 200/273.2280=Winchester 1200

From Numrich Gun Parts model/brand cross reference.

Don't have any info on the age/serial number thing...Winchester might be of help there. If it is in decent working order, a good shotgun.

 

[JA]

It is a Winchester model 1200. The model 1200 was mfg. from 1964-1981.
Alloy receiver with checkered pistol grip stock with recoil pad. The Blue Book of Gun Values lists the lowest amount of finish as 60% worth $90. So if it has less than 60% finish left on it would be worth less. Even though it is made by Winchester a Sears gun will sell for less than a Winchester marked gun.
A cousin bought the same shotgun in the mid 1970's new from Sears in 12ga. It was not as smooth pumping as my Remington 870 but worked fine. The Poly-Choke was real handy as you didn't have to buy/change barrels to change the choke like my 870. The reason you can't see the choke change is the choke changes .010" from one setting to the next.
Cylinder-Improved Cylinder-Modified-Full

 

[Jack R]

Win 1200--SEARS 200

Personally,I like the 1200 Winchester's..have one in the safe now..very easy to dis-assemble and re-assemble,only weak point I know of is the plate on top of the bolt that retains the firing pin is held on by ONE screw which is prone to breakage (happened to mine). The fix was real easy,call Winchester and found out that they re-designed the plate so that it now snaps onto the bolt..around ten bucks IIRC.Given the same amount of use,I doubt it would last as long as my 870 or Ithacas (alum reciever)..but it feels good and breaks targets.........Jack $.02

 

[DillHarris]

Hey Jack, can you tell me more about that replacement plate. When I disassemble it, it seems like that screw sticking out keeps the bolt fromcoming out of the receiver. With the replacement plate, can you just slide the bolt out once the barrels off?

 

[Jack R]

Winn 1200

Hi Dill....It's been ten years or more since I did the fix on mine..if I remember correctly, the screw was already broken off even with the top of the bolt the first time I took it apart...my bolt just slid out the front of the reciever..you might have to pull the trigger group out so the bolt can drop down to give the needed clearance? After I sign off I will go down to the workshop and see what I saved (hopefully part# and any info on the 1200) which I would gladly photo copy and mail to you.........Jack

 

[Sam]

Observe your 200 closely and compare to the Winchester. Notice the joint where the stock and receiver join? Not all same same. innards, bbl., same same, stock not same same.

Sam

 

[Jack R]

Dill... unfortunatly..I can't find any of the 1200 info..usually I save stuff like that..the part is called a "bridge plate"...a call to customer service at Winchester is all you need..that's how I found out about it...Jack

 

[DillHarris]

Thanks for checking on that Jack. I sure appreciate it. Mine's a real beauty. 30 year old closet queen. I'll check with Winchester. Have a good one.

 

[Jack R]

Your'e welcome Dill....mine also is about that age..real nice walnut and nice deep blueing...I stupidly traded off the first one I had..this one is staying right where it is..Jack

 

[DillHarris]

How's the wood on that Sears 200? Is it walnut or 'hardwood'? It kind of amazes me that the 1200 was your standard entry-level pump gun and it had such nice wood/bluing. To compare it to a new 870 Express or Mossberg 500 is absolutely no camparison. Everything costs more and more, so stuff is gettin' cheaper and cheaper.

 

[Madbalrog]

Hi, I just joined the group today, yesterday , I bought a shotgun like this one in this post. I paid $140. for it , good condition except a couple gouges in the pump stock. It has the poly choke as well, shoots good, serial # in the 92,000s. I looked at some of the posts about this gun , was this made by Winchester ? or not determined ? Thanks

 

[GCBurner]

Yes, it was manufactued by Winchester, and parts for the Winchester 1200 fit. I bought one new with a plain Modified barrel, and eventually found a used Winchester vent. rib barrel with choke tubes to swap out with it. I had the plain barrel shortened to 22" as a HD shotgun.