What to look for...Winchester 1300...now a 2200???

Luger9

Luger9

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OK, tomorrow I'm going to have a look at an older Win. 1300 and I want to know if there is anything special, related to this particular shotgun that I must watch out for.

AFAIK, the shottie was once owned by a PD here in New Brunswick and when they changed/updated their firearms was sold to a relative of one of the officers. The owner never used it...didn't bother to get a PAL, so he transfered it to a co-worker of mine (his brother in-law). My co-worker was telling me how his safe was getting to cluttered and he would be selling the shottie for $200.00...with the owner's permission of course.

I asked about how it was stored, since it hasn't been used in years, and I got the usual "it's packed in grease" story. I've heard that many times before so I just ignored it.

I should be able to inspect most of the gun for things like cracks, rust, etc.... quite easily. I just want to make sure that this thing doesn't have a famous "watch out for this" problem.

Thanks for your input!!
 
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Here's my response...if you have to give him 10 cents for the gun just have it shipped directly to your gunsmith because thats where it will stay most of it's life. I had one for three years, it spent two years getting fixed.
First the vent rib let go, it's only help in place with two tiny pins, the smith put several more in. 6 months, $80. Next it got stiff when shooting more than one shot, the bolt would jump off the rails even with light target loads, 1 year at smith to "get fixed". It worked for 3 months then more of the same. When I was callng around to gunsmiths in Alberta every one that I talked to about the rib problem asked if the bolt jumping off the rails had happened yet, even the Winchester warranty guy out here.

The 1300 is absolute JUNK, they are worht less than nothing. when Winchester stopped making them along with the model 70 and 94 did you here anybody complain about the loss of the 1300?
 
Odd, I've had a Defender 1300 for two years now, I shoot it quite frequently and I've not had any problems with it?!?!

That being said, if I was to buy another shotty, I'd get the Remington 870, simply because dressing up the 1300 is impossible - finding aftermarket doodads for that gun is impossible - but the 870 platform is popular enough that there are a lot of options out there.

I don't share the reliability view of the other posters, but there are other practical reasons to go with something else.
 
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I agree woith sgt. I have had a 1300 for 12 years with no failures to fire or feed. this gun has worked litterally flawlessly for me on every kind of round you can think of.

Lemme put it this way. The PD chose that gun for a reason most likely a decision based on durability and reliablity. That should say it all.

My advise is take a look at it...if it is in half decent shape buy it...or give me his info and i will. for 200 bones that a good price.

Dave
 
If I do buy it it won't be to dress it up....I'm getting a Mossberg for that in the next month or so.

I just figured the Win. was being given away at a good price and regardless of whether or not I need one...I should still get it.

Thanks for all the input so far, I'm gonig to see it this afternoon and I'll come back at you with the condition.
 
Well.....

I went to see the shottie this afternoon. The guy selling it has far less knowledge of firearms than I thought. It is a shotgun and it is a winchester but that's about all he got right.

- The shottie is a Winchester 2200, not the 1300 "Defender" he had told me.
- It has a 28"bbl....not the 18.5" or 20" he had told me.

....and I don't beleive that this gun was once owned by a PD.

Having said that, the gun is in amazing condition. The only flaws that I saw were: a bit of finish worn off the stock and some blueing worn off where the slide comes back......all minor esthetic stuff that can be fixed with minor cost to me.

It has a FO front sight and Winchoke system. The gun is chambered in 3" and has the "12 GAUGE MAGNUM" stamp in front of the loading port.

NO rust...at all, no visible damage or even a scratch anywhere. The slide and other moving parts move quite smoothly.

Needless to say I was a bit disappointed due to the fact that I was looking for a shorter barreled gun.....but the thing was in such good shape I decided to take it anyway. It'll be something I can use that I won't be worried about nicking or draggin through the woods....I can finally retire my grandpa's old Savage that I've been using for the past 6 years.
 
The 2200 was the plain jane version of the 1300.....the bolt locks into the barrel with 3 lugs...so its plenty strong.....the weakness with the gun is/was the entire receiver is made of alum. or some pot metal...and if there is any binding or uneven wear the alignment goes for a crap and it can't be made right! Problems like the poster above had with it "jumping off the rails". Then, as now I think the 870 is a better bet!
 
ben hunchak said:
The 2200 was the plain jane version of the 1300.....the bolt locks into the barrel with 3 lugs...so its plenty strong.....the weakness with the gun is/was the entire receiver is made of alum. or some pot metal...and if there is any binding or uneven wear the alignment goes for a crap and it can't be made right! Problems like the poster above had with it "jumping off the rails". Then, as now I think the 870 is a better bet!
Click to expand...

YOu described my problem very accurately. Run don't walk.
 
I've also got a 2200, I've had no problems with mine. There are 4 lugs on the rotary bolt, and I find the action much, much smoother than the 870 clunkarama. And the receiver isn't 'pot metal', but hardened aircraft grade aluminum. You should never have problems with it. The weak point may be the trigger group, with it's usual assortment of pins and stamped steel parts. But that's no different than most modern pump guns. You've got a very versatile gun, friend. 3", choke tubes, steel compatible 28" barrel, you're good for everything from clays and grouse to geese.
 
Well, I finally had a chance to bring this thing to the range this morning.

Thanks for all the advice that was given (Pro and Con). This gave me even more reason to take it apart before shooting it, and I was happy that I did, because when I removed the trigger group....I heard a ping, ping, ping. It was the Slide Arm Bridge falling out, apparently it was not properly installed on the last "overhaul". A quick fix and a thorough cleaning....this gun was now ready for a testing.

It shoots great!!! I brought with me my own reloaded #8 skeet, factory Win. heavy game load #6 and #2 steel shot. The load, cycle and shot are all very smooth. All shot patterns were as expected with about 6" @ 10yds, 12" @ about 15-17yds and the target completely peppered at 25yds.

I also hooked my Anaconda to it and was surprised at how comfortable it was holding a 28"bbl duck gun. The great thing about the sling is that it allows for a fast draw, and automatically lines the butt into my shoulder "pocket". No more "owwies" from drawing fast and not paying attention to where the shottie is sitting.

All in all, I have to say that for $200.00 this was a great purchase....I can't wait to use it on live targets next week.
 
I'd go to war with it .....

I've used a 2200 for most parts of 20 + seasons now. Crawled, climbed, bird-dogged, had it drenched & brow beaten..... and ultimately shot a whack of birds with it. :D She's all cleaned, oiled and ready to go for October 1 - good value for money IMO!
 
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