Winchester 1300 pros & cons

[SSN Vet]

I've read a lot of excellent material comparing the 870 and 500, but am wondering why more comparisons aren't made to the 1300.

Can someone please tell me....

1. Where the slide release is on a 1300 and do you have to change your grip to activate it?

2. What's up with the rotating bolt design?

3. Is the receiver machined from steel? Is the trigger guard steel?

4. Is there any thing else unique about them that I should know?

Thanks

(OBTW....I checked the Winchester site....no specifics. I also did searches hear and came up with a gazillion hits, but none making specific comparisons that I could see)

 

[Slater]

Receiver is aluminum and the trigger guard is plastic. They seem to be a decent enough shotgun, and the rotary bolt is nice. The finish on the receiver doesn't seem to be very durable, though. and scuffs/wears quite easily in my experience.

I tend to like steel-receivered shotguns such as the 870 or Ithaca 37, for no other reason than they seem more solidly built. Functionally, I'm sure all the big name brands will work fine.

 

[BedPimp]

1. The slide release is located behind the trigger. I can hit it with my ring finger and don't need to change my grip.

2. The rotating bolt makes for technically faster cycling.

3. The receiver is aluminum and I believe the trigger guard is high impact plastic.

4. The Winchester 1300's are not being produced anymore. I have two, and really like the action on them, but could not recommend them. The mag cap detent popped out on both of them shortly after bringing them home. There is a warranty gunsmith local for me, but it still took 3 weeks to get them fixed.

If I didn't already own them, I would be in the market for for an 870, probably an older Wingmaster.

 

[lawson]

1. the slide release is slightly behind the triggerguard. it's a little awkward at first, but i can use my middle finger to activate it while my trigger finger is resting outside the guard without changing my grip much at all.

2. i don't know, but i've never had a FTF or FTE.

3. yes, but mine was made in the USA, i don't think they are anymore.

4. not really that i can think of.

 

[ArmedBear]

If treated gently, the 1300 was the prettiest hunting shotgun under $400.

Was.

I have seen a few HD guns for sale, that's about it. I believe that the 1300 was axed along with the 70 and 94, when they closed the New Haven plant.

People like them, despite their dubious control ergonomics, because they're smooth, fast shuckers and nicely balanced guns.

Personally, I'm bummed they ditched it. Without real competition, Remington could get lazy (again).

 

[TrapperReady]

People like them, despite their dubious control ergonomics

I like mine because of its *ahem* dubious control ergonomics.

Seriously, the first shotgun I ever used was a Model 12, and I still hunt with Model 12s a lot. When I was in the market for an HD gun, the 1300 Defender went to the top of this list because its controls are in the same place

I don't have a super high shell count through my Defender, but it's been rock solid for the 1K or so it's seen. My only gripe was the absolutely hideous recoil-enhancement device they'd included instead of a recoil pad. I cut the stock down a bit and replaced it with a Limbsaver pad. It's now a pretty sweet shooting little gun.

 

[ArmedBear]

You must have long fingers.

 

[SSN Vet]

good info.

Thanks for responding.

What about take down? Is it as easy as an 870?

Are the barels easy to swap?

 

[BedPimp]

The 1300 is a bit easier to take down than the 870 and barrels are very easy to change. If you get a Defender model, you will be limited to barrel choices because of the longer magazine.

 

[TrapperReady]

You must have long fingers.

Now that's something I've never been accused of before. I have one pair of winter gloves from which pride dictated that I remove the "Women's Medium" tag.

I find that in the field I keep my right index finger aligned along and across the trigger guard, finger either slightly above or below the safety. In doing so, my right hand does ride up the wrist of the stock a bit. As I shoulder the gun, the safety comes off when the gun is about halfway to my shoulder and my hand slides slightly down the wrist as it touches my shoulder.

While it may sound a little odd, it feels more natural to me than when I shoot an 870. Then again, I routinely shoot shotguns with safeties all over the place (front of trigger guard, rear of trigger guard, so-called "suicide" safety, tang-mounted, one like on a bolt-action rifle). I can use them all to good effect in the field, but the "default" one for me is the Model 12 (1300) type. I figure for an HD gun, "default" is a good thing.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Cons? Winchester shut down production of the 1300, when they closed the doors. What's in the pipeline is it for the time being, until/unless someone else picks up the marque and puts it bak into production. And that's about the only con I know of.

Pros? See my thread at http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=170316 . The FN Police Shotgun is naught but a rebadged Winchester 1300, and if you are looking for a defensive shotgun, this one is a screaming deal right out of the box if you find one at a good price. It needs a bit more weight to be comfortable (more ammo on board in a Sidesaddle or butt cuff will help that) and a tritium front sight , a sling and a light and it's good to go as a house gun. Oh, and it needs shooting too- LOTS of shooting- THEN it'll be perfect.

lpl/nc