NIB Winchester 1200 RIOT : Any info appreciated

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Hello friends and neighbors // NIB Winchester 1200 RIOT

This Model was turned down by the Military then redistributed to Police and national Guard due to the aluminum reciever. I think they are great shotguns none the less.
I'm looking for opinions concerning value , not that I want to sell the 1200 at all. I have the 2010 Standard catalog of firearms and the 1974 Gun digest , neither have this exact model listed. Those on sale I've seen have a Police or National Guard issue stamp.
Online info is sketchy, if your google- fu is better than mine please provide a link.

AFAIK
Winchester Model 1200 Riot:
NIB / never assembled so never fired
Manufactured between 1964 and 1981(warranty card dated to 1968-1971)
Breakdown 12 ga. shotgun
18 inch barrel
Rifle sights
Rubber recoil pad
Winchester complete1.jpg Winchester complete.jpg
Questions:
What is the top dollar you would pay if you were buying?
What is the bottom dollar you would take if selling?
Does anyone have serial number info? (all I can find are SN for older models)
Does anyone have one?
Pros and Cons of the 1200 RIOT?
Would you prefer a well used cutdown Model 12 Field for the same price? (I had this choice)

Any input is appreciated.
If you have one and know the date of manufacture please post, if I get two such posts I may be able to more closely date the shotgun. The warranty card reads "use 6 cent stamp to mail" dateing card to 1968-1971.
 
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I can't help you with values, but while not the exact model as in your photos, the Military did acquire a bunch of Model 1200 trench guns during the Vietnam War time period. Possibly some riot models too, but those would have 20" barrels. Some of the trench guns were still being used in Iraq just a few years ago.
 
My "go to" hunting gun is a Model 1200 that I bought new in 1969. It has a lot of rounds through it and is still going strong. I own about a dozen shotguns, but that model 1200 just fits and hits where I point it.

Hope this helps.

Fred
 
Got a Winchester Model 120 Ranger.....budget version of the 1200. Bought it brand new with summer farming money at age 14 in 1985. 12 gauge 2 & 3/4 or 3", interchangable chokes, dual slides, decent wood, vent rib. Paid a whopping $165 cash for it.

It shoots exactly where I point, and has taken deer, squirrels, rabbits, ducks, geese, quail, and more doves than I can remember. I've had 870's, Auto-5's, an 1100, and a Savage pump. And they all stay in the gun cabinet. When it's time to hunt or shoot skeet, out comes that old 120.

Best gun I ever owned.
 
Hello friends and neighbors // Glad to hear it , been reading about the 120 along with the 1200. I remember the interchangeable chokes comming out, one of my uncles loved em on the 1300.
Info on the model 12 is everywhere.
I did just find the U.S. Army field manual for the 1200 with a 20" barrel and Tom D posted having seen them still in use, so the other web info was wrong saying they had all been reissued to N.G. and LEO.
I'll just keep looking/reading, prices seem all over the place. If it does not prove to be to valuable I'll just shoot it, but I already have an 18 inch 1958 Savage and a 2009 Remington express Tactical with Ghost ring sights. I just could not pass up a 40 year old NIB Winny RIOT.
 
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Can't coment on the 1200 but the 1300 are great! Plain & simple damn good SG. And the aluminum receiver on the 1300 is fantastic! Keeps it light, nimble and easy to react & point. With the 4 bolt lock up system NO pressure from a shell is ever felt in the chamber-receiver. The lightweight alloy material makes sure that this gun is easy to carry at a weight of 3.06kg, and is fast swinging. The four lug rotary lock is similar to the AR-15. This locks firmly into the chamber of the barrel, trapping the pressure in the height of the firing cycle. It then removes the pressure from the receiver, adding speed and safety in the firing cycle. The bolt unlocks and uses the remaining pressure to travel rearwards. The dual action bar ensures smooth chambering and prevents binding.
In case you're wondering I LOVE my 1300 and trust my life to it. By the way Mossberg uses aluminum in some models as well and many other fine firearms use aluminum as well. Look up... See that plane flying overhead? Most of it is made of aluminum.
 
Yep, I agree there many strong long lasting things made from aluminum.

Still this seems the reason given for durability issues and the military moving away from instead of closer to Winchester as the go to company for military shotguns. Of course there may be many reasons yet to be found for loosing the contract. I'd think someone in the infantry might prefer carrying a lighter weapon so I respect the idea, and Winchester needed a new nich to compete.

Thanks for a good description of the speed pump, one reason to try a 1200.
 
Funny how things work out. But many can't understand why the US military pulled away from the 45acp and went with the 9MM. I guess tyo be a better fit with the NATO army.

I honestly feel that politics is what motivates many decisions be they for better or worse in the corporate, err I mean military world. One may fine they're one & the same.

But what about Mossberg using aluminum? Anyone know much about this? I read it but don't have details.
 
The military have purchased, may still be purchasing, Mossberg 500s and 590s, which I believe have aluminum receivers as well. AFAIK the only pump currently produced in the US with a steel receiver is the Remington 870.
 
That is amazing, one aluminum receiver over another.
I've talked with several serviceman who were issued the Mossberg and wondered the same thing.
I'm still trying to find out if it was just different grades/quality of aluminum.

Fun chasin down info on a new firearm this is my first Winchester.
 
Winchester changed to Aluminum receivers with the Model 1200 because they were cheaper to make. Hence, a less expensive shotgun for the Govt' to purchase. Mossberg was probablay able to make a shotgun for the Govt' even cheaper than Winchester.

Doesn't Ithaca still use steel receivers for its shotguns?
 
Does "Ithaca" still exist, really? :D

The aluminum receivers are basically dust covers in the case of the 1200/1300/500/590. The bolt locks up into the barrel. The design of the Winchester is actually a little elegant - it's a rotating bolt head, similar to what many semiautomatic rifles use.
 
I think so too very well made, Winchester was not counting on the receiver like other designs, they were counting on the "speed pump" design.

Wonder if the durability issue article I read was just someones misguided take that was published in a mag.
 
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