Author Topic: Winchester 1300 Defender. (Read 1130 times)

Bearwolf · « **on:** September 04, 2005, 10:39:42 AM »

I am thinking about getting the winchester 1300 defender for short range hog blasting out in rice fields. I would like to take it in to the gunsmith and get them to install a removal choke system on the 18" barrel. Can this be done and if so what is the typical cost? My reason for this is to be able to shoot a tighter pattern of buckshot. Ive had great results with 00 in my single shot 36" full choke barrel shotgun.

willysjeep134 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 11, 2005, 01:13:32 PM »

The thing about buckshot generally is that it doesn't behave like birdshot. Buckshot gets really deformed when it goes through a choke. The pellets are large and don't deflect from the wind quite as much as fine birdshot does, so a choke sometimes makes a more open pattern with buckshot.
You might want to give that shotgun a try with a cylinder choke first, it might surprise you.

If you need to put a choke on the barrel there is a collet type ajustable choke called the PolyChoke. It used to cost around $150 installed, I don't know what it runs for now. You don't use tubes, you just dial down the collet to make a tighter choke. Lots of hacked off shotguns were salvaged with the PolyChoke in the days before choke tubes.

Big Paulie · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2005, 09:49:54 AM »

You are in luck. FN Hersal has released a new pump shotgun, made in America and built on the Winchester 1300 action, that comes with an 18 inch barrel, rifle sights, drilled and tapped receiver, synthetic stock, parkerized finish, 8 shot capacity, and three interchangeable choke tubes, for only about $50 more than the Plain Jane Win. 1300. This would be a GREAT hog gun.

The name the company is actually FN Herstal America, which I understand to be a subsidiary of FN Belgium. It has a license from Wincheser to use the 1300 action.

They also make a $600 super police version of this gun, with a folding stock (like the M4 variant of the AR 15) and luminescent sights. But, I don't think you need to go this far for the hogs!

Best Regards,
Mannyrock

jh45gun · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2005, 06:09:29 PM »

I just picked up a Model 1200 Winchester for a 130 bucks. I think some one replaced the slide with a field model as the police ones normally had the round one with the grooves on it like the old model 12's and 97's The barrel is marked "Riot so I know that it was a riot gun or that barrel is a riot barrel and maybe some one put that on a field gun? and it has the plain stock but has the fancy forarm. Anyway this gun some one put on a Herters adjustable choke which is like a polychoke and that is one reason why I bought this besides the cheap price as I figured it would be more usefull. :grin: Should make a good defender gun and truck gun along with most other shotgun applications. :grin: Barrel with the choke is 20 inches. So maybe what your looking for is allready out there just need to look a bit longer or different places. I figure I got a bargain with this one.

popplecop · « **Reply #4 on:** October 02, 2005, 03:04:19 PM »

Forend is correct. The first riot guns the state issued were 1200s and they had field type forends. after a couple of years they were swapped out for 870s. Never had any problems with the 1200s as I recall, but that was about 30years ago and memory dims, I think. Now what were we talking about. By the way Poly Chokes are being made again and there is nothing wrong with them. The buckshot testing I did years ago I actually got the best patterns with No. 4 buck in a modified choke. Could not see a big difference between I.C. and Mod. with 00, now this was with 2.75" mag. loads. Do rember that at the end of the day shoulder didn't feel very good.

jh45gun · « **Reply #5 on:** October 02, 2005, 06:24:27 PM »

Thanks for the Info Popple Cop. Glad to know it is all origional except for the choke. I think that the 1200 got a bad rap as it was no model 12 and folks were not happy of the switch. This one looks in good shape and it seems to cycle really smooth. That rotary bolt seems strong enough. Winchester must have thought it was a good idea as they came out with the 1200 shotgun the 88 and the 100 rifles all with the rotary bolt at the same time.

nasem · « **Reply #6 on:** October 14, 2005, 05:39:41 PM »

I bought a winchester 1300 practical defender... its got 22" and comes with improved cyl choke, I think it works great for home defence (not that i use it for that reason :-) or skeet shooting, never taken it hunting but Im sure it will work just fine

jh45gun · « **Reply #7 on:** October 15, 2005, 04:39:17 PM »

Took my 1200 back and got a refund it did not work right see my post on the subject. 1200 action opening after fireing.