Winchester 1300 Defender

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officer487

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I have recently purchased a Mossberg 590 and was not overly happy with it. So I am looking at buying at Winchester 1300 Defender, does anyone have any feedback on this shotgun ?? Good, bad, or ugly, it all helps.
 
I have a Mossy 500 and at one time had a 1300, the Mossy in my book is far better of a shot gun than the 1300. The 1300 was noisier and not a smoth as the 500, the fit and feel didn't do it for me either. Play with one first if you can, then decide.
 
By the way: does anybody use a Defender with a magazine plug to limit magazine capacity according to canadian hunting regulations? I've checked Winchester parts catalogue and there is an item "PLUG, 3 SHELL FOR DEFENDER", but I couldn't figure out what does it mean: either that plug has size of 3 shells (so 4 more can be put into Defender's magazine) or it limits total gun capacity to 3 shell (so it's exactly what we need here in Canada)? Could anybody explain, please?
Thanks in advance!
 
One local gunshop has a bunch of used (but not abused) Defenders with full mag tubes traded from a "govt agency" for sale priced at $250-$299.

If I didn't already have a Rem 870 I'd be all over that.
 
I don't like the follower spring much...The action leaves much to be desired IMO. Feeding my ol' man's Marine Defender 3 inch shells is a pain as the don't work reliably unless there is a 2 3/4 behind.
 
Skinny Skunk said:
By the way: does anybody use a Defender with a magazine plug to limit magazine capacity according to canadian hunting regulations? I've checked Winchester parts catalogue and there is an item "PLUG, 3 SHELL FOR DEFENDER", but I couldn't figure out what does it mean: either that plug has size of 3 shells (so 4 more can be put into Defender's magazine) or it limits total gun capacity to 3 shell (so it's exactly what we need here in Canada)? Could anybody explain, please?
Thanks in advance!
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If your packing a defender or any other short barreled shoty, your not likely hunting, and as such, in BC anyway you can pull the plug and load'er full. If you really need to defend yourself in the bush, having only 3 would bite!!!!
 
I have an 18 inch bbl defender with folder, sidesaddle and full tube as a bear gun. Even the bears go, "OOOOOHHHHHHHHHH!" :)
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I've owned a Defender for several years now. I have put countless rounds through it, varied between bird, buck, and slug. I have used 870's (at work and recreationally) and 590's (wife has one) and still prefer my 1300.

It has been through 2 Sigarms Academy shotgun courses without failure or mssing a beat. It is my preference in a shotgun.
 
Love my Defender. Paid $200 for it out of the paper. I've put hundreds of rounds through it. The only problems I've had are when it gets dirty, it jams on the eject, but it should be cleaned long before then anyway.

Bought mine with a pistol grip and an 18" barrel. Later bough a full synthetic stock for it. I use it for wingshooting when I'm at the game farm training dogs. It's fast and easy to handle. Well balanced, doesn't kick too much and it's easy to carry.

Even for $350 new, it's a great basic shotgun for the collection. Never a fan of the mosberg, but a remmington 870 is a great alternative. I thought they were a little heavier and the action was stiffer, but the only one I've handled was a lot newer than my defender and maybe just needed to be abused a litte.
 
I own a Defender with Ramline black-comp stocks. Very reliable, and FAST. I shoot an 870 Police quite often, and find that while it is a heavier design (and stronger) the Winchester is faster and more accurate. With the Defender, the slide actually move to the rearward position by iteslf after being shot, so essentially, you just have to move the pump forward to shoot again. Not so with the 870. Defender is also quite a bit lighter (ie. better as a brush gun)

Both guns are very good. I prefer the Defender.

Tyroma
 
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