Winchester "Defender"?

Drachenblut

Drachenblut

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Hello,

I have been looking for a short barrel, easily handling shotgun in wood and blued metal. I have not found one and was almost about to settle for a Grizzly *shudders - Parkerization, sandblasted metal and synthetic stock ugh!) While in a small gun shop, I noticed one exactly like that, the barrel being around 18.5" in length (if not shorter) and a 6 or so magazine just a hair in length under matching the barrel! Short, in wood, and blued metal. It said simply "Winchester Defender". I thought it had been cut down but it had a bead front sight and looked original.
What is the story/history on these shotguns?
When and for how long were they made?
What should I be paying for one in good to very good condition?

I'd love any info you folks can provide!

Cheers,
D
 
Defenders are excellent guns. Not sure of what price you should be paying. The ones I've bought have always been between 200-350.
As Geologist says, NICE action on them. Buttery smooth!
The action had a mechanism (sorry can't remember the exact name for it) which "half cycles" the action so when you go to pump it, it takes VERY little effort and is very fast. Also incorporates a locking bolt to reduce fatigue on the chamber.

Nice shotgun.
 
The Defenders are my favourite shotgun. Of all the 870s, 590s, etc... I have fired, I still prefer the Defender. They are very slick and fast pumping.
 
This has been my backwoods companion for over 25 years (less the saddle mount and red dot). One of my never sell firearms for sure.
defenderscoped.jpg
 
I've been running a defender for a few years now, it is a good gun and maybe does not have the upgrades like an 870 or mossberg but it won't let you down
 
I bought my 18.5" barrel Winchester Defender way back in time when they were being sold at Canadian Tire for $99.00 and all I had to do was fill out a form that was called a FAC.

I still have it to this day and recently installed an ATI stock for s**t and giggles. Hurts the shoulders alot more with it over the factory wood stock with slugs and 00 buck.

I can hit a 4x4 wood post out at 40 yards with slugs using the factory front bead.
 
Defenders came in two runs 1300 defender which is newer and the 1200 defender. They have an aluminum action and they work well.

The last time I saw them new was a couple of years ago and they were like 350 or so.

Used I have bought a couple of defender 1200s one at 150 and another at 175. Both guns I was able to sell at 250 or so shipped. So this is basically your range.

New 350$ used 175-250.
 
I'm a big Win 1200/1300/Defender fan. I've got an older model defender with wood and an early 90s Stainless Marine model that was factory PG equiped. Not sure about the "undersized" ejector spring mentioned, as a Win 1300 model ejector is much larger than an 870, and sort of a different design. The Defenders have a very slick action, and you can fire them quite fast when you get used to the rotary bolt system.

The only downside to the defender is that parts are no longer in production, and the 870 has more aftermarket options.
 
I bought one new in 1990 or so. 1300 defender. My "go to". It's worked flawlessly.

Does kick quite a bit. I've had people try it and just hand it back without a second shot because of that (wimps).

The action IIRC was the first of the "speed pumps". The slide actually starts reward travel on it's own after firing. If you fire it with one hand it will actually eject the shell itself and the slide will travel all the way back.

Holds 8 2 3/4 shells. 18.5 barrel.

Paid $289 I think at CT. There are newer versions available for roughly the same money. If I was after another one I might even pay $300 for it used, I think they're that good.
 
Well, it sounds like an older, used, Winchester Model 1200 Defender is exactly the shotgun I am after. I am a young, reasonably new shooter who would love to continue it's tradition of use in the woods of Canada! Does anyone have one for sale? If so please PM me!
 
Drachenblut said:
Well, it sounds like an older, used, Winchester Model 1200 Defender is exactly the shotgun I am after. I am a young, reasonably new shooter who would love to continue it's tradition of use in the woods of Canada! Does anyone have one for sale? If so please PM me!
Click to expand...

They are worth it if you can find one. There's the odd one that appears for sale once in a while.

Something to keep in mind though. You will have to leave this shotgun virtually stock as far as barrels go. The extended mag tube makes putting a rifled slug barrel on it a pain for instance (extra parts needed to adapt mounting ring etc). Stocks and other things can be added. You may want to think a little ahead of yourself as to whether you want to dress your shotgun up or modify it, in which case some other model may better suit you. Other than that you can't go wrong and good luck in your search. Let us know what you find.
 
I'm looking for one in pure wood and metal, stock, and will not modify it. Something about the old way they built them appeals to me. I really despise synthetic. It feels wrong in the hand, and it's not to my interest.
 
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