Winchester 1200 "Riot"

[357smallbore]

I have this marvelous 1200. Born on date of 1968. 18in barrel really makes it great for close quarters. Loaded with #1 buck I feel safe as can be.
Anyone have or shot one. Mine has never had an issue. I think the 1200's are under rated.

 

[Virginian]

Until it breaks.

 

[357smallbore]

Until it breaks.

I have a 1200 "Field Grade" 12ga. 28in MOD barrel. 1969 Manf. Hunt Upland Game with it every year, shoot Trap all year with it. Never once has failed me. Have owned the gun for 25 years. So breaking is a non issue. Same for mt Riot shotgun. Not a hiccup with it, Owned for over 30 years.

 

[bannockburn]

I have a 20 gauge version with my Model 1300. Picked up the 18" barrel about 9 or 10 years ago as I was no longer doing much of anything in the way of upland hunting (have a 22" vent rib barrel for that), and decided to make it part of the home defense team. It has held up quite well all this time and expect it to for many more years to come.

 

[Frulk]

Always liked the 1300 Upland Special with the straight English stock. Been looking for one locally for several years in 20 gauge. No luck so far.

 

[DocRock]

Until it breaks.

I am unfamiliar with the 1200. Is it prone to breakage? Does it have a particular Achilles heel?

 

[748]

I beat the heck out of my 1300, only thing that ever broke was a metal arm that ran between the tube on the forearm pump to move the bolt. Shooting heavy 3 inch shells broke the spot welds on one side, made cycling rough but it still worked.
The local gun smith replaced it with an upgraded one.

The 1200 and 1300 are great field guns. Much light than a typical wooden stock gun.

But when the world goes to sht I definitely want my late dad's dedicated zombie blaster a mossy 500A 8 shot.

 

[jmr40]

I am unfamiliar with the 1200. Is it prone to breakage? Does it have a particular Achilles heel?

Those were budget guns, built during one of the times when Winchester quality was in decline. The 1960's and 1970's were dark days for everything made at Winchester. They are not thought of as being quality guns, but even at that most of them will be quite serviceable. I think the purpose of this comment

Until it breaks.

Was intended to imply that the odds of it breaking are higher than with many others. And if it does, good luck finding parts to repair it.