Winchester 1300 Defender

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What do you guys think of this shotgun compared to Mossberg 500/590/590A1, Remington 870 Wingmaster/Police?

I know they don't make them any more. I know it was made in the U.S. and now has been re-branded as the FN Police pump gun.

18-1/2" barrel. Aluminum alloy receiver. Rotating bolt action. Extended mag tube holds 7+1. Takes 2-3/4" or 3" shells. All black. All business.

Can someone confirm that it cycles the Aguila mini-shells reliably?



 
How so?


Personally, I think they're an underappreciated gun. Much smoother and slicker than other guns. The biggest problem with a 1300 was it isn't a M12.
 
Can someone confirm that it cycles the Aguila mini-shells reliably?

Mine won't.

What do you guys think of this shotgun compared to Mossberg 500/590/590A1, Remington 870 Wingmaster/Police?

It isn't a bad design at all, and it is a slick, fast-shucking pumpgun. But it isn't as robust overall as an 870. The magazine tube is held in the receiver by plastic 'throats' which can deteriorate with time and exposure to harsh cleaning chemicals. That can affect feeding reliability if they begin to deteriorate. The new generation Winchesters tend to be relatively light in overall weight, and tend to deliver a heftier amount of felt recoil thereby.

I like them OK, I have several 1200s, 1300s, one FN Police Pump, and just bought another, a nice 1300 slug gun (from someone who was tired of getting his fillings loosened) with a 22" rifle sighted smoothbore barrel for $150.

But given my druthers I'd still take an 870 to use myself.

lpl
 
Well, most people consider the location/design of the safety on the Win 1300 to be superior to those on the Rem or Mossberg. It's more natural and quick to disengage. Also, the Win 1300 has an aluminum triggerguard, just like the Mossberg models, which I prefer to the Rem's polymer. The 1300 also has a smoother pump-action than the Rem or Mossberg.

To each his own, but ever since I discovered the Russian beast that is the S-12, I much prefer it to any tactical pump-gun. I do still have a Win 1300.. but it's for sport, with a 26" barrel.
 
I'm planning to put the Knoxx wire folding stock on it. Make it a pistol-gripped close-quarters defense gun.
 
well its harder to disasemble then a remington or mossberg.
Click to expand...

How so? I can have mine fully detailed in less than a minute. I find it totally reliable, silky smooth and very fast cycling. I prefer it to the 870, even though the stamped receiver is light by comparison. It is superior IMHO in function. The only way the 870 comes close is with a lot of help from Wilson or other tuner to smooth the action, and then it matches, not exceeds. USRA got this one right, you just won't know it until you use it.
 
I'm planning to put the Knoxx wire folding stock on it. Make it a pistol-gripped close-quarters defense gun.
Click to expand...

It already has an 18" barrel, right? If you need closer quarters than that, then you need karate training, not a gun. As for the pistol grip, I did. I thought it looked so cool I sold the stock birch fore end & butt stock. Then I shot it, and immediatly bought a speedfeed. I hate the way it looks, and it does not fit perfectly. Today I got the bid on a replacement birch stock & forend on ebay. Full circle. Save the money & leave it the way it is.

PM me if you still want a PG; I have a perfect Pachmayr Vindicator w/ matching forend, plus the afformentioned speedfeed that I need to sell.
 
Personally I think the reason that most people don't like pistol grips on pump-guns is that they weren't really designed for it, so it doesn't feel that "natural".

Imo, if you want a shotgun with a pistol grip, get a Saiga-12 and [strike]convert[/strike] restore it, (from the "sporter" config the damnable BATFE forces Izhmash to put em in for US importation), to use a proper pistol grip and AK triggergroup, (in their correct locations on the receiver), it was meant to have. They feel very natural on S-12's because the weapon was designed to use em.. and also because the S-12 doesn't have as much recoil as a pump-gun.
 
I called winchester

The new pump that will take the place of the defender will be out later this month or early november 09. They are called SXP , not defender , but is very similar with the fast rotary bolt etc. I like the action and gun overall. However, like most guns they are not perfect and have good points and some weak issues . My brother has one that I have shot a few times and I like ii. It is fast and smooth. The price of the new gun according to the catalog I received about a week ago is $319.00. That said, if the quality is as good as the older ones, that gun should sell very well.
 
Now that SXP is a nice looking shotgun. And if they sell for what you have been quoted snooperman they should not have trouble moving them. Kinda makes my 870's worry about a trade. :uhoh:
 
Hey, Rshooter

For that price I want one too. I have shot my brother's gun several times and the action is very smooth and fast.
 
Thing I HATE about the design is how the ejector spring is not attached. I always seem to have a problem reassembling with it coming loose. Also the way the bolt head is attached makes a detail strip a long process. These are just minor details though and it wouldn't dissuade me from buying one again if I had a need for it.
 
...years ago I bought a police riot gun that was a 1200...it fed the Mini-shells in slugs and buckshot...last year, I wanted another dose of that, having let it get away from me...so I ordered 180 rds. of mini-slugs and mini-buckshot...put a new/used 1300 on layaway, and waited...the happy day I brought it home...it wouldn't feed the ammo at all...I called the ammo dist. who had run the mfg's ad...which said feeds in Winch 1200 and 1300 without modification, Mossberg and 870 and others require a kit...and they said they knew the carrier'd changed in the 1300 and it needed modification...wouldn't feed without it...offered a refund...I refused...and went out and searched...found a Sears pump which is their version of a 1200...I think they call it a 120...and put it on layaway...the day I went to pick it up...I spotted a pristine 1200 and took it home instead...for $20 less...at the same store...it feeds the Minis like it was made for them....so some 1300s may feed 'em, but a major ammo shipper admits the ad's wrong...I'd go with a 1200 for the most reliable shucking on them....I kept my 1300 for regular shells...great gun...my first police weapon was a 1200 with 20" bbl and a Ithica Raybar sight...been looking for a Raybar everywhere...gotta be one to be had in a dusty store somewhere...nostalgia sure is expensive....
...as to the other part of the question...I'd choose a 1200 or 1300 over any pump...smooth and reliable...
 
Welcome Sheepdog and---

Thanks for the info on the mini shells and the Winchester 1200. I have used the buckshot mini in my coach gun but good to know they work well in the old 1200.
 
I love my Defender 1300, its reallllllly smooth, does recoil a little more due to the aluminum, but it's still very durable, mine has been absolutely reliable... of course it's a pump, so it should be. I've had mine for 10 years and no problems.

YMMV
John
 
1300 Winchester

I've had a 1300 Defender for almost 10 years now, that I bought new at Wally world.
I've read the responses and some I agree with, others I do not agree with.
So here's my take on the 1300 Defender;
1. It handles those mini 12 gauge shells beautifully! Never a hitch, never a jamb, smooth as butter.
2. Taking this SG apart for a cleaning is pretty darn easy, qiick and simple. In a minute or two the barrel is removed, trigger group dropped out and the receiver is ripe for the pickins.
3. The aluminum receiver is one of this firearms strong points. Some claim it's a weakness but I disagree. After all with the 4 bolt locvk up system there is NO pressure on the recveiver at all when fired. Yes I've heard it said there is pressure, but ther isn't, it's locked in place so the pressure heads out the barrel and is also used to "force" back the pump giving this SG the fastest cycling rate available. Also, today there's a GAZILLION fine firearms made from aluminum as well as engine heads and airplanes. So aluminum is fine for the way it's used in the 1300.
4. I've gone to several firearms stores ans checked out the Mossberg's & Remingtons and the feel of the pump mechanism on the 1300 feels far better to ME. I've also taken each and shook them. Without a doubt the others that I shook made noise and the pump didn't feel very secure. While on the 1300 it consistently feels tight and secure without the sound of "stuff" rattling around when shook.
5. Now I must say that I wish the 1300 had the safety located exactly where it's located on the Mossberg. I do NOT care for the safety button's location on the 1300 but that's because I'm a lefty.

Bottom line is I think so highly of the 1300 that I picked up a pawn shop special for 249.00. It has a scratch or two here & there but overall it's a fine SG. It isn't a Defender so it has the long barrel and I use it for hunting.
I like the 1300 in case that isn't clear.
 
I found a barely used Defender in pistol grip configuration at a gun show a few years back. I had been looking mainly for a Mossberg or a Remington, but the price was so low that I almost felt guilty for stealing it from the guy.

Anyway, I hated shooting it with just the pistol grip. It just felt all wrong. So I put a stock on it. Now I absolutely love it. I don't get to shoot it all that much, but when I do I always end up smiling. I can't say much about how it compares to the others, because I don't have either of them.

As for the mini-shells. Mine seems to like them OK. Not perfect, but they typically feed fine. However, I would not use them for defensive purposes because of the occasional hiccup in my particular 1300. They are fine for lower recoil range time though.
 
I had one and sold it. It was decent enough, but I really disliked the location and ergonomics of the slide release. I didn't find the slide action any smoother than a Mossberg 500 series or Remington 870 Express, but then again I'm not the most experienced or skilled shooter either.
 
Pistol grip on a 12 ga

I'm one who doesn't really care for a pistol grip on a SG.

I'm not saying they're good, not saying they're bad. I am saying for me personally I don't like the way it feels. It's not natural feeling to me.
I DO like the way a full stock feels. Shooting a SG or any rifle with a full stock allows the shooter to become one with the firearm. Even shooting from the hip with a full stock on a SG feels better to me. Again I am better able to become one with the SG and can control it and be more accurate.
Besides a full stock doesn't beat the heck out of my wrist and hand-palm.
Anyhow that's my .02 cents!
 
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