What would you do

[ArtP]

I am very much a gun freak, but I'm not too much into shotguns. I've owned a Winchester Defender 1300 for a number of years and am thinking of getting into bird hunting. Obviously this short barreled gun with no choke won't cut it.

What would you do? Spend $200 for a new barrel with choke, or just buy another shotgun? I don't have a desire for an auto loader. Are there features, or lack of, from my cheaper pump gun that would make it a liability hunt with? With the more expensive pump guns, is it just fit and finish that are better, or am I missing something??

Would the new barrel have the capability of accepting screw-in chokes? Is it safe to assume with a fair amount of skill and bravery that I could replace the barrel myself?

Add: if it matters the type of birds, likely turkey and other birds shot on land (no water fowl). Sorry for my ignorance on the subject.

 

[Black Knight]

I have an old Winchester 1200 that I set up as a tactical shotgun. The 1300 was the upgrade of the 1200. The 1300 is a fine gun. If you can not afford a seperate bird gun the 1300 with extra barrels will work fine. As far as screw in chokes go it depends on the barrel you buy, some will some won't. If the 1300 is like the 1200 all you do is unscrew the magazine cap (be careful there is a spring under the cap that may or may not be captured). Once the cap is off just slide the old barrel off and the new one on. Then screw the magazine cap back on. Also watch out there is a small spring loaded bearing under the cap (don't lose it). I lost the one on mine once and had to take it to my gunshop the get a new one. There are many places to get extra barrels so do a bit of shoppimg around before you buy in order to get a decent price. Good luck.

 

[leadcounsel]

Stop spending brain power on the issue and buy a new one. You can get one for like $300.