Author Topic: Remington 870 vs Winchester 1300 (Read 1427 times)

smg · « **on:** November 01, 2004, 07:15:40 AM »

Which firearm is recommended for home defense? The Remington 870 Security model or the Winchester 1300 Defender? Both firearms appear to be well constructed. Thank you.

Ramrod · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2004, 11:30:40 AM »

The 870 wins hands down. The Winchester can't touch it in any serious comparison, sales, law enforcement use, aftermarket accessories, longetivity, ect.

mjbgalt · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2004, 12:00:27 PM »

not to downplay your points, but we are not going to shoot a shotgun enough to wear it out, and for those of us who arent going to build a tactical shotgun and dont care how many accessories there are, we who shoot on weekends and hunt occasionally, it wont matter. honestly both guns are well built.

i prefer the winchester, even after owning a remington for almost 10 years. the WINGMASTER remington is better than the 1300, but only because of finish.

the 1300 uses much nicer wood and the metal is a glossy smooth finish, unlike the asphalt finish of the matte 870 express, which actively seeks out rust, lol.

like i said, i prefer the 1300, but go pick em both up and see what fits and what you like.
-Matt

smg · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2004, 07:37:52 AM »

Which firearm is used most by law enforcement or military?

Topper · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2004, 10:05:10 AM »

Being on active duty I carry a Mossberg 500 series almost everyday along with everyone else in my division. The military went to the 500 series long ago. Ive see very few problems. And Ive watched some of our guys go out of their way in an effort to destroy that shotgun they are MP proof. Id take one over an M16 any day on the job. But, take a look in my closet and the shotguns youll find there have the Winchester name on them. Oh, I do have one Browning A-5 in order to keep up appearances. I sometime get invited to the skeet range by my bosses. Turkey & Deer season and its Winchester. Strange noises at home in the middle of the night and its still Winchester.

NYH1 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2004, 01:00:11 PM »

I would take a Remington over a Winchester any day of the week, rifles or shotguns! I have a older (1962) Winchester model 88 in 308 Win but thats a different story. I have had trouble with three different Winchester's. Two model 94's, one was a 30-30 and one was a 444 Mar. When I bought the 444, I didn't shoot it until I had it over a year and Winchester didn't want to know anything! I also had a Winchester model 120 Ranger in 20 ga. Every time I pumped the gun, the ejector spring would come out with the spent shell case. I traded it for a Remington 870 Express and haven't had any trouble at all, its been ten years. I'm looking for a new shotgun right now. I won't even consider a Winchester.

I'm sure their are people out there that have had a few problems with Remington's. But I haven't yet, so I'll keep buying them until I do. If they take care of the problem then I'll still buy them! Winchester had the opportunity to take care of me and didn't!

:x

crazyjjk · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2004, 05:55:03 AM »

I have both and both seem about equal. Wood on the Rem is a little better but I like the smoothness of the 1300 action. I do not think you will be unhappy with either. >John

MGMorden · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2004, 01:31:05 PM »

For hunting it's an either or situation. I've shot both quite a bit and both are nice. Remington is used by more police departments, and has many more aftermarket accessories. For that reason I'd say to go with the 870 for home defense. For hunting they're about equal, and the 1300 usually runs $15 cheaper. Not much of a price diff, but if you're looking for a tie breaker . . .

Big Paulie · « **Reply #8 on:** November 04, 2004, 01:11:18 PM »

Just my opinion.

Best solution, go to a gunshow or shop and buy a good used 870 Wingmaster Pump, that is not the cheaper "Express" model. The matte finish on the Express collects dirt and rust, and the shell carrier in the magazine of the Express is made of plastic (instead of steel), which sometimes binds (gets stuck) when you are trying to load it. (Think I'm kdding? Brownell's is now selling a steel replacement part to solve this problem)

The all steel, all walnut, original 870 Wingmaster is a beautiful and very durable gun, that gets slick as glass the more you use it. You can probably find one for $200.

Then, either trade the exising barrel for a 20 inch cylinder barrel, or legally shorten the existing barrel to 20 inches, and just have a gunsmith install a front sight bead.

Winchesters are funny. Sometimes they are excellent, sometimes they ar duds. The consistency and reliability of the Remington 870 is legendary.

Hope this helps.

Big Paulie

NYH1 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 05, 2004, 12:17:24 PM »

Quote from: Big Paulie

The matte finish on the Express collects dirt and rust.

Big Paulie, the matte finish will also hold oil better.

Quote from: Big Pualie

and the shell carrier in the magazine of the Express is made of plastic (instead of steel), which sometimes binds (gets stuck) when you are trying to load it.

Big Paulie

I think your talking about the "shell follower" that go's in front of the shell and you ca see when the magazine is empty. I've never had trouble with the factory shell follower but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I did however put a polymer plastic one from Wilson Combat in my 870 Express!

mjbgalt · « **Reply #10 on:** November 05, 2004, 12:52:49 PM »

mine did get stuck, constantly. if i left it in the safe for a week or two and didnt put a shell in it, i would have to shove so hard it actually hurt my thumb when it finally let go and i stoved my thumb on the receiver.

i wasnt impressed with my 870 express. it was an ok gun and was better quality than most but overall i like my winchester better.

-Matt

Ramrod · « **Reply #11 on:** November 05, 2004, 01:30:56 PM »

smg, it appears that some folks have misread your question. I think you were asking about the difference between the Remington 870 Security model or the Winchester 1300 Defender ? These are not hunting guns ! You will have to decide which one to bet your life on. Most of the pros use the 870.

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #12 on:** November 06, 2004, 01:46:06 PM »

Remington, Winchester, Mossberg, if you are using it for home defense it really doesn't matter. What kind of accessories do you need to put on a house gun? NONE. you won't be shooting it enough to wring out any quirks or faults in the accessory. Check out each one for yourself and then pick the one you like the best. my opinion.

yukonjim · « **Reply #13 on:** November 28, 2004, 06:20:16 AM »

Well if you look around at the trap range for which pump action shotgun is most used for trap, you will see it is the Remington 870 12 gauge. Reliable, accurate, and simple to maintain. Most trap shooters will buy the Wingmaster Trap model mainly because of the trap stock and 30 inch barrel. I have a 870 Express 12 gauge, screw in chokes and 28 inch barrel. A fellow trap shooter gave me a trap stock with a Morgan adjustable recoil pad which allows me to shift the stock up for better fit. After talking to other trap shooters who were using an 870, I was sold me on getting on. So when I found a super deal on one I jumped on it. Haven't been disappointed so far.

yukonjim

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #14 on:** November 28, 2004, 08:06:38 AM »

What kind of accessories do you truly need in a home defense gun? I would say to put your hands on both weapons and then buy the one that felt the best to you. They are both good guns. You might even want to include the mossbergs. I don't think you can go wrong with any of these. It's like which do we like best, chevy, ford, or chrysler?

z1 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 06, 2004, 03:37:52 PM »

Hi SMG,

My experience is only with the 870 and I readily admit bias.

My first 870 was a used 16 ga given to me by my father when I was still in knee pants. Sometime back in the early 60's. It was used when my Pa got it. Mr. 870 #1. With that gun I shot a lot of doves, a few quail, some rabbits and squirrels and more than a few deer.

My next 870 was a Christmas present when I was about 18. This was a 12 ga. Mr. 870 #2. That gun replace the 16 ga because the 16 ga was out of favor and ammo was not as easy to find and was more expensive. And I did need the Christmas present. As with Mr. 870 #1 it saw a lot of use. And as I was overseas a lot working for Uncle Sam my younger brothers saw to it that it was also abused.

That 870 lasted me until two years ago. The only reason Mr. 870 #3 replaced Mr. 870 #2 was because I liked the matt finish on the newer models.

As I am now 51 years old I think I have a bit of time around the 870. I have had 3 and not "worn out" any of them.

#1 is for the moment retired but may see action next dove season as the interest in the 16 ga is reviving. #2 is ready for duty as the "domestic" problem solver. #3 will be my wing gun for the rest of my life.

If it comes better than the 870, I do not know what it is....

Broken-arrow · « **Reply #16 on:** December 08, 2004, 03:21:28 PM »

Ithacas rule, at least the older model 37s :wink: