Any love here for the old Winchester 1300 Defenders?

[BLATT13]

Easily one of the most underrated shotgun platforms out there. The rotating bolt is so fast once you get proficient with it. I can shoot them just under - if not - as fast as a semi autos. The trick is in rhythm.

I love all of my 870’s and 590’s, but I will always grab a defender or FN Police Shotgun for my bear defense gun.

Here’s my 1200/1300/defender collection, minus my stainless marine. which is getting re-plated at the moment. Most are 12 ga, some are 20 ga.

And we mustn’t forget about the FN Police Shotguns: Same gun, different mama.

 

[murph83]

The 1300 is #3 on my list of shotguns. When Mossberg 500,590, and Maverick 88 become complete garbage then I will start using the Remington 870. When the 870 becomes garbage then I will go to the 1300.

 

[The ROC]

A walk down memory lane. Still have my Defender I bought at Canadian Tire at Main and Danforth in Toronto back in 1985. Showed them my FAC and paid $100.00 plus tax.

And what are they going for now on EE and GP????? Crazy investment

 

[Grain]

Easily one of the most underrated shotgun platforms out there. The rotating bolt is so fast once you get proficient with it. I can shoot them just under - if not - as fast as a semi autos. The trick is in rhythm.

I love all of my 870’s and 590’s, but I will always grab a defender or FN Police Shotgun for my bear defense gun.

Here’s my 1200/1300/defender collection, minus my stainless marine. which is getting re-plated at the moment. Most are 12 ga, some are 20 ga.

And we mustn’t forget about the FN Police Shotguns: Same gun, different mama.

View attachment 1127431View attachment 1127432

Fantastic collection! The bottom picture are FN police shotguns? Identical to the 1300 but made in Belgium? or made in USA labeled FN?

 

[BLATT13]

Fantastic collection! The bottom picture are FN police shotguns? Identical to the 1300 but made in Belgium? or made in USA labeled FN?

Thank you!
You bet, the bottom pic is all FN Police Shotguns, just re-branded Winchesters.
They are FN USA guns, but made in the same factory as the Winchesters. There are some small differences between FN’s and Winchesters but overall basically the same gun.

 

[Grain]

Thank you!
You bet, the bottom pic is all FN Police Shotguns, just re-branded Winchesters.
They are FN USA guns, but made in the same factory as the Winchesters. There are some small differences between FN’s and Winchesters but overall basically the same gun.

Very interesting, thanks for sharing the pictures of your collection and knowledge!

 

[Threemorewishes]

Loved the look, hated the fit and how it recoiled. Mine came with an alloy receiver, dual action bars, jeweled bolt carrier with rotating bolt head, 20 inch smoothbore, vent ribbed barrel that took different chokes, and a beavertail fore end. The pull length was too long for my stubby arms. It was especially a poor fit when wearing any heavy clothing. However, it cycled everything and with the rifled barrel I was able to purchase it was quite accurate out to slug distances. Shot a few grouse with it but sold it when the opportunity arose. Another in the long list of guns that have moved on to other shooters.

 

[JeffMan]

Long before the current made-in-Turkey Wnchester SXPs, there existed the 1300 series, based loosely on the classic Model 12. Love the Defender version of these things. Smooth-like-butter action, light, and 100% reliable.

Anybody else into them?

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https://www.breachbangclear.com/winchester-1300/

My first shotgun was a 1300 back in maybe 1998. 1300 Defender (?) Bought new from Russel’s Sporting Goods in Calgary - man they had cool stuff.

Was horrible actually. After about a dozen rounds it would lock up the action by dumping the whole tube on the lifter.

That was a sample size of one for me