Winchester 1200 info

YosemiteSam

YosemiteSam

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Hey guys I've got an older Winchester 1200 that was given to me by a good buddies dad. I was trying to find some info on it thought someone here might be able to help, it's in great condition with only a few tiny tiny scratches in a couple places. Wood looks great, it has a full choke, made in the USA, 2 3/4", serial number 104###. As far i can tell models with serial numbers that don't start with lt are pre '72, but I'm not sure how accurate that is. Anything you guys know would be appreciated, thanks.

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Nice fairly early model 1200. Has a rotary style locking system that enables very fast operation. Some of the early models like yours had problems with a small screw shearing under the bolt. I believe it was due to the bolt being machined some what out of spec placing uneven tension on the screw. In any event most smiths are aware of this issue and it is an easy fix. If yours has not broken yet it is not likely to. Plastic feed throat into magazine is another oft quoted "weakness' but I have never seen one fail. Overall it is a well designed gun that winchester sold alot of. For general purpose the only thing I would do is open the FULL choke to modified and use the gun the way it was meant to be rough and ready. Looks like nice walnut in the stock and forend also. Nice find.

Darryl
 
The easier to manufacture replacement for the model 12 Winchester which is pretty hard to beat for quality. Not a bad shotgun but not a great one either. IF you are only running lead shot in it, no reason to open the choke to modified. However if you are after a waterfowl shotgun that requires steel shot, a 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge is not a good choice regardless of choke.
 
Mike Webb said:
The easier to manufacture replacement for the model 12 Winchester which is pretty hard to beat for quality. Not a bad shotgun but not a great one either. IF you are only running lead shot in it, no reason to open the choke to modified. However if you are after a waterfowl shotgun that requires steel shot, a 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge is not a good choice regardless of choke.
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You already have the gun, don't dismiss using it for waterfowl if you get the choke opened up. Unless you are going after high flying geese, there is no reason what so ever why you can't use a 2 3/4" for watewrfowl. I know lots of guys with vintage guns that use 2 3/4" and I myself have gone back to 2 3/4". I have no problem getting ducks at normal ranges and either do the other fellows I know.
 
gunsaholic said:
You already have the gun, don't dismiss using it for waterfowl if you get the choke opened up. Unless you are going after high flying geese, there is no reason what so ever why you can't use a 2 3/4" for watewrfowl. I know lots of guys with vintage guns that use 2 3/4" and I myself have gone back to 2 3/4". I have no problem getting ducks at normal ranges and either do the other fellows I know.
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Just saying, with steel shot more is generally better. Just about all the older 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge shotguns are going dirt cheap as a result of the steel shot requirement. Not saying it's right, just saying that is the perception. Everybody seems to think you need a 3 1/2 inch 12 gauge to kill a duck with steel shot. Personally I always got better patterns with 2 3/4 inch shells than 3 inch.
 
Full choke is too much of a handicap for 90% of wingshooting. IC or a loose Mod would serve most people's needs very well under 40 yards. You'd be surprised how much it improves your shooting.
 
I just picked up a 1200 with checkered walnut stocks 28" barrel vent rib with chokes for $130 bucks. I've also got a 20G 1300 upland special with deluxe walnut stocks and a black synthetic 1300 with rifled deer barrel and an extra 24" turkey barrel. Great guns. And got them all at good prices. Shoot well.

The 1200 actually has a metal trigger guard to boot.
 
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