Winchester 1300 - Best kept secret?

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G37

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Heheh...

Anyway, I picked up a 1300 Practical Defender - To say I am pleased would be an understatement.

I went with it on a whim... no research... I just wanted to try something different.

When I got home from the range I stripped it apart and discovered its bolt is very similar to a Semi-Auto Benelli (the rotating bolt idea). Perhaps this is part of the reason as to why is cycles so fast and smooth!!

It was supposed to be a backup shotgun - the one I give to a friend for "camping purposes / Trap-Skeet gun / Guarding the fort when the world ends"... anyway, 8 Shots, front and rear fiber-optic sights, aluminum receiver, decent finish - it will definitely fullfill this role (and then some).

I was also very pleasantly surprised when I found out they are made in the same factory as the FN Police Shotguns (just different bells/whistles).
It makes me feel good knowing that it's a Winchester/Fabrique Nationale hehehe.

So yeah, it's a great shotgun... wish I knew about them earlier. Anyone considering one, don't hesitate; before this shotgun I always thought it was just 870's and 500/590's :)

The only negatives would have to be that there are more parts (than an 870) making a complete detail strip scarier for those who are uneasy with doing them (again, it's in regards to fit/finish it's no Benelli, but then again it's also 1/3rd of the cost... it is far more than I thought I was getting for the price.)

So... please start making room for 1300's in the great 870/590 debates :D

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~Cheers!
 
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I own a 1300 as well, but it is the standard hunting model. I bought it about a year and a half ago. this summer and fall I think I put a little over 1500 rounds through (all wally world) it shooting sporting clays and skeet. I never experienced a problem except one failure to feed which was my fault in short stroking it! I haven't taken the plunge and done a complete strip down on mine yet I've only cleaned the barrel. Doesn't seem too dirty all the same. I do think it is a very fast cycling pump having shot a few 870's and stogers. I won't be getting rid of it anytime soon!

osborne
 
I've had mine for eight years now (along with an 870, 500, etc.) but the 1300 is my primary bear gun here in the NWT. I stuck a folder and a sidesaddle on it and , although it does add to the weight slightly, it gives you about 14 rounds all told (slightly less with 3" shells). If I ever meet a bear that requires 14 rounds I'll trade the 1300 in for an RPG, but, for the record, the 1300, is a fast- handling, reliable shotgun.
 
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fat tony said:
Does anybody have experience with the 1300 'camp gun' being offered at places like Russell's Sports? are the receivers aluminum alloy or steel, is the trigger mechanism all made of steel/aluminum or is part of it made of plastic like the Mossberg 590?
Click to expand...

I can answer your questions in regards to mine - I would guess it's the same as the "camp gun":

The receiver is Aluminum.

The majority of the trigger mechanism is steel and aluminum. There is only one plastic piece on either side of hammer (fat washers) the trigger guard is also made of plastic (but all the components fit inside of it - imagine a steel sleeve that holds everything fitted inside a plastic glove).
 
Can't really complain all that much about the one I had (wooden stocked Defender bought back in the late 80's). It cycled very smoothly and "ate" everything I fed it with ease... The only gripe I had with the design was the plastic trigger guard and the aluminum receiver - much prefer steel...

hsld.
 
Well, I did a quick search over at Brownells... it seems that one can order an aluminum trigger guard for $16US (of course this part would need to be imported by someone with the approved docs as they cannot be easily sent to Canada)

I think I am going to get one as the plastic trigger guard is my only complaint :)
 
I class the 1300 as a love/hate gun. I love the price, and maintainability, but hate the unlocking feature on firing. I cursed them more than anyother pump gun. The inability to lock the forend and absorb recoil through it and your left arm drove me nuts. Particularly when firing heavy loads or slugs.
If that action stayed locked, I would rate them higher.
 
Huh? Are you telling us that your gun recoils FORWARD? Otherwise you must be putting rearward force on the fore end. Either hold it neutral or with a slight 'push' at the foreend. The trigger hand should provide all the force anchoring the gun into the shoulder on a pump gun.

IF you wish to have a fast followup shot, then you apply rearward pressure on a 1200/1300/2200 Win pump. But you must have your mind ready to finish the stroke the moment you've fired.

The Win 12 was different. You HAD to apply fwd pressure to get it to unlock after firing.

Grouse Man
 
Quick Question: You know the little screw that holds the leaf-spring to the inside of the receiver... I am guessing that is kept there with some 'heavy duty' permanent loc-tite?

I was looking for a flaw in the 1300 system... the only think I could think of was if that were to come loose. But with so many out there, I doubt it is a problem (i.e. it's very permanent).

Anyone know for sure?


FYI: I read on a military forum that the correct slung carry for these shotguns is muzzle down left shoulder :) (for RH shooter) I tried it the other day in my home... works good hehehe (yes, I am still in daily fondle mode)
 
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I got to handle the 1300 defender and 870 with 2 shot extension at Lebarons before I purchased. The winchester was allright but I found the action rougher and the trigger heavier than the 870. Also like the grip size and finish better on the 870. I'd take the defender over the 870 if it was $75 (i could live with these deficencies for a lower price) less than the 870, but for basically the same price I walked away with the 870. Furniture is #### on both IMHO and can benefit from some speedfeed furniture.
 
I find it hard to believe that there are this many guys that like this shotgun. I had on efor three years, it spent more time out getting fixed than it did at my house. When talking to Gunsmith's all over alberta as soon as I mentioned it was a 1300 most refused right away to work on it due to chronic problems, the others rhymed off all the problems and then asked me which one I had. In no particular order, the vent rib let go, apparently held in place by only 2 tiny pins not silver saudered like others, repair bill $75.00 including shipping tome 8 mths. Would jam when firing second shot even with light target loads, $98.00 8 mths again. Finally the bolt started jumping off the rails making ejection impossible without removing the trigger group. This was never fixed reliably despite attempts by two different gunsmith's, the funny thing was all the smith's I talked to predicted this one if I ever shot 3 inch shells in it. I haven't owned hundred of guns but a couple of dozen for sure, this was absolutely the biggest POS I have ever owned.
 
Hitzy said:
I got to handle the 1300 defender and 870 with 2 shot extension at Lebarons before I purchased. The winchester was allright but I found the action rougher and the trigger heavier than the 870. Also like the grip size and finish better on the 870. I'd take the defender over the 870 if it was $75 (i could live with these deficencies for a lower price) less than the 870, but for basically the same price I walked away with the 870. Furniture is #### on both IMHO and can benefit from some speedfeed furniture.
Click to expand...

Apparently when new they are coated with some kind of anti-seize (it's like syrup). I stripped it down and oiled it and noticed a dramatic improvement in cycling.

I should post some movie files of me firing through 8-shells.
I won't ever knock the 870... I've owned 3 (and I like them alot).

Martinbns: Wow... that would be a crappy experience, definitely sounds like lemon; luckily I don't have a vent rib on mine - I've had no other problems but then again still new. I will fire through 20 slugs this weekend with at least 100 trap loads.
 
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