Winchester 1200 question

[ZBill]

I am new to Winchester 1200's. I was told they had alloy receivers. However, I am looking at one that has a steel receiver and steel trigger guard if my magnet is correct.

SN is L793XXX. Is this an early one? Anyone have an idea of date of maunfacture? It seems very solid and well built. Any input?

Thanks, Bill

 

[Boxerrider]

Mine's a 20g, no letter prefix 175xxx with alloy receiver and plastic trigger guard. Do you know its history?

 

[Dave McCracken]

That alloy receiver has steel parts in it. Strip it and try the magnet again.

Don't ask how I know....

 

[Jack2427]

The 1200 was a complete dog IMHO. The Chicago PD bought over a thousand of them in the 70s. In a couple of years the number of them still working in each area station could be counted with fingers of one hand. They were replaced by Ithaca 37s-much better, they lasted till early 90s when 870s were purchased.
The 37s could and would all slam fire, with predictable results. Winchester replaced the 1200 with the 1300,also known as the FN these days, much better weapon. Chicago still uses the 870 as far as I know.

 

[evan price]

Really? I own a Win 1200 PD shotgun, and have to say it has been a great gun, no problems with it in a year of blasting.

Receiver is alloy with a lot of steel parts inside, and since it does not bear the force of the shell, it's not a problem.

 

[loosecannon]

In the Win 1200/1300 series, 1300 is the designation for the 3 inch chamber variation which became the only offering after its intro. Thus, all 1200's have 23/4 inch chambers, and 1300's chamber both shells.

About Win quality control, during the 1970's it was often poor.

I like this pump as well as the Mossberg 500 series. Each was its company's answer for a low cost, mass-produced shotgun, and both were marketed primarily through mass merchandizers: Sears, Penneys, Walmart, Otasco, Western auto, Gibson's Discount, and Wilson's to name several. At different times, both companies made these guns for stamping with the brand name of private companies. Sears labeled them J.C. Higgins and Ted Williams. Western Auto used the name Revelation.

My point is that these shotguns were never considered premium weapons, even by their makers.

 

[b.thomas]

Bought my oldest son a 20 gauge youth (non-ribbed 22" barrel, 3" chamber w/choke tubes) about 23 years ago. shotgun looks, works just as good now as back then! Still use it today with our family shoots when we need a gun just a little smaller for those folks of smaller stature.
Works well and a decent gun!

 

[Milkmaster]

While I am not especially a fan of the 1200, the 1300 is on par with the 870 in my opinion. I own both an 870 and a 1300. The biggest difference I see is the steel receiver on the 870 vs alloy for the 1300. Niether have failed to fire when the trigger was pulled. The ergonomics is where I prefer the 1300 over the 870. That is a personal choice, since no two people are built the same. Parts are plentiful for either. I don't add a lot of frills and dressings to my shotguns. If you are looking to add more than a recoil pad, then I would go with the 870. The 870 offers a wider variety of tactical doodads. Whatever you get enjoy it! Just don't neglect it!

 

[tinygnat219]

My 1200 is from the 60s. Nice Shotgun that's rock solid reliable.

 

[mothernatureson]

1200 winchester

The model 1200 is vastly underrated. I own two, used since the 70's. Always fed the ammo fine and no failures. Yea, it has an alloy receiver with a rotating bolt that locks up solid into the barrel. I had an a rifle issued to me while in the Army, alloy receiver, locking , rotating bolt. Yea, the m16. Guess that has held up over the years. A 1200 winchester is a great value in a used shotgun, many of them out there. Just my opinion of course.

mothernatureson