Winchester 2200 pump - why some barrels only 2-3/4?

Grouse Man

Grouse Man

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
61   0   0
Location
Winnipeg
My first shotgun was a Winchester 2200 pump, 3" chamber with Winchokes. But every so often you see one with 2-3/4" chamber only. What gives, why? Was it a lighter barrel? Shorter receiver? I don't get it.
 
The very first offerings of the 2200 (a Canada only product) were plain barreled, fixed choke 2 3/4" guns. But almost immediately 3" versions with Winchokes came on the market. The 2200 magnum version did not get a recoil pad like the 1200 magnum did. Every hardware and feed store in my part of southern Ontario offered this model. I swear every farmer I knew that hunted beyond predator control had a 2200 model. The guys who bought the magnum models with no pad soon found out a 7-pound gun with 1 7/8 oz. 3" loads generated some felt recoil. I also remember that the fixed FULL models outshot the Win choke Fulls at the annual Lion's club turkey shoots. I have a lot of respect for the 1200/2200 series of shotguns. The abuse and neglect I saw these guns take was incredible. The 2 3/4" guns had a slightly different ejector set up than the 3" guns. Other than a longer chamber that was the only difference that I recall.

Darryl
 
I think it was just evolution. Buyers wanted 3" guns and the Win Choke system was very popular. Kind of see the same thing with shotguns now a days. New camo patterns, "improved" gas systems etc. Just marketing but with some measured improvement. I honestly think that Winchester had no idea how popular the gun would be and invested in improvements to keep it selling well. The model 1200 was about 40% more and was the same gun as the 2200 just with vent ribs and walnut wood. Easy choice to make on a farmer's, working man's budget.

Darryl
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom