poor_richard
Member
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2006
- Messages
- 466
Just last weekend I obtained a Winchester Ranger Model 120. . I’ve been reading up on the gun as much as I can, but find that there really isn’t that much information on it. From the reading I’ve done, people are saying that it’s an entry level 1200. In my searching I’ve come upon some interesting information. One is that my gun (and the pics I’ve managed to locate on the internet) has the plastic trigger guard that is (maybe) lumpy looking. In looking at some of the gun broker listings, I managed to see a couple that had the trigger guard that more resembled that of the 1300 (without the hump).I’ve seen this same type of TG on pictures of the 1200, but yet I’ve also seen a 1200 at my local shop that had a 1300 type trigger guard. Also while I was there, another customer said that he had a 1200 that looked just like it (the steel, 1300 type). So, am I to understand that they changed the trigger guard on both the 1200, and 120? If so, does the 1300 trigger guard fit the 120?
Another thing that my internet searching has revealed is that the conventional wisdom is that the 120 will take barrels for the 120, and 1300, but not from the 1200. When I checked this with my local gunsmith (who has a good reputation in the area concerning shotguns), I was told that it would also take the 1200 barrels. When I mentioned this to my dealer, he pulled the 1200 (one with a metal, 1300 type trigger guard) that he had in stock off the rack and suggested we try it. Sure enough, the 1200 barrel fit just fine on my 120. Here’s something even more interesting that I found during my search. There is a 120 on gun broker that is listed with a 1400 barrel on it
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=111515787
.. My gunsmith told me that the 120 would take “all the pumps”, and I assumed that meant the 1200, 120, and 1300. I didn’t realize that it would also take the 1400.
As far as the gun goes, I’m pretty stoked. I’d been using a H&R 20Ga since I was a kid, and this year have been using a Ithaca M37. While the 37 is lighter, and definitely fits me better (120 is too long), I like the recoil pad on the 120, and find that the weight seems to help recoil. When I got the 120, it look like it had hardly been shot. I probably put about 15-20 rounds through it over the weekend, and I think I put more wear marks on it than the previous owner, just from that bit of shooting. I also put the Tuf Glide treatment on the action bars, and that plus my limited use has made an already smooth action even better. There is a spot where it seems a little sticky, but nothing like other pumps I’ve tried. It’s nothing noticeable when I’m shooting the gun. I’ve always liked the 37, but I must be honest. The 120 is smoother, and not as rickety as the 37. Can’t understand why it’s so much heavier since it’s got an alloy receiver to the 37’s steel (although I did notice that the receiver of the 120 is about an inch and a half longer that the 37’s). only complaint I have is (other than being too long for me, which will eventually be fixed) is that I have a hard time reaching the forend. On the other pumps I’ve used, the forend came a little closer to the receiver, allowing me a more comfortable grip on it. With this gun, I’ve got to reach for it to the point of over extending (my arms are shorter than normal). Seems that the longer reciever, combined with the short forend and long fit, make the reach a bit much for me. Still, even with the poor fit, it shoots well for me, and the recoil quite manageable.
I like this gun, and hope to not only get it fitted, but also am hoping to find an inexpensive barrel that I can use for HD (either cut one down, or find a slug barrel). I might even put a mag tube extension on it, and have already put a fiber optic sight to replace the bead. Even with the poor fit, the recoil is more manageable that the 37, to which I attribute the recoil pad, and weight.
Obligatory pics
Another thing that my internet searching has revealed is that the conventional wisdom is that the 120 will take barrels for the 120, and 1300, but not from the 1200. When I checked this with my local gunsmith (who has a good reputation in the area concerning shotguns), I was told that it would also take the 1200 barrels. When I mentioned this to my dealer, he pulled the 1200 (one with a metal, 1300 type trigger guard) that he had in stock off the rack and suggested we try it. Sure enough, the 1200 barrel fit just fine on my 120. Here’s something even more interesting that I found during my search. There is a 120 on gun broker that is listed with a 1400 barrel on it
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=111515787
.. My gunsmith told me that the 120 would take “all the pumps”, and I assumed that meant the 1200, 120, and 1300. I didn’t realize that it would also take the 1400.
As far as the gun goes, I’m pretty stoked. I’d been using a H&R 20Ga since I was a kid, and this year have been using a Ithaca M37. While the 37 is lighter, and definitely fits me better (120 is too long), I like the recoil pad on the 120, and find that the weight seems to help recoil. When I got the 120, it look like it had hardly been shot. I probably put about 15-20 rounds through it over the weekend, and I think I put more wear marks on it than the previous owner, just from that bit of shooting. I also put the Tuf Glide treatment on the action bars, and that plus my limited use has made an already smooth action even better. There is a spot where it seems a little sticky, but nothing like other pumps I’ve tried. It’s nothing noticeable when I’m shooting the gun. I’ve always liked the 37, but I must be honest. The 120 is smoother, and not as rickety as the 37. Can’t understand why it’s so much heavier since it’s got an alloy receiver to the 37’s steel (although I did notice that the receiver of the 120 is about an inch and a half longer that the 37’s). only complaint I have is (other than being too long for me, which will eventually be fixed) is that I have a hard time reaching the forend. On the other pumps I’ve used, the forend came a little closer to the receiver, allowing me a more comfortable grip on it. With this gun, I’ve got to reach for it to the point of over extending (my arms are shorter than normal). Seems that the longer reciever, combined with the short forend and long fit, make the reach a bit much for me. Still, even with the poor fit, it shoots well for me, and the recoil quite manageable.
I like this gun, and hope to not only get it fitted, but also am hoping to find an inexpensive barrel that I can use for HD (either cut one down, or find a slug barrel). I might even put a mag tube extension on it, and have already put a fiber optic sight to replace the bead. Even with the poor fit, the recoil is more manageable that the 37, to which I attribute the recoil pad, and weight.
Obligatory pics
