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Posted: 3/27/2004 2:51:37 PM EDT
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Hey folks, Looking to buy a new 12 Gauge, been checking around and the Winchester Model 1300 Defender seems like it would be best for me. Does anyone have any experience with this shotgun? If so, could you please give me the scoop on it. I've also been looking at Mossbergs. I'm not really sure what to get as far as defensive shotguns go. I would like to eventually put a forearm on it so I could use a flashlight on in. Thanks in advance, Erik |
| I've had a 1300 Defender for the last 9 years. It has the synthetic stock and 7 round magazine from the factory. I have been completely satisfied with it. I do not have any interest in customizing it. If I did, I would have bought a Rem. 870 as there are many more after market parts available. If the Defender fits you, I'd recommend it. I'm pretty sure a fore end mounted flashlight is available for the Defender. |
I have the same shotgun. Holds 7+1 if I remember right. It is my favorite pump shotgun. I have the Mossberg 590 which would probably come next in line. |
| I also have a 1300 Defender that was no problem at all to customize. Mine has a top folding stock, a pistol grip forearm, side saddle shell holder, heat shield, and from Centerfire Systems, a magazine clamp mount flash light holder with a Streamlight Scorpion light in it. This light is very bright and has a rear pushbutton on/off switch that with the pistol grip forearm allows you to reach out with your fore finger and push the button half way down to temporarly turn on the light or go ahead and click it all the way on to leave it that way. The stock and forearm are from Chote, and I can't remember where I got the side saddle and the heat shield but I don't remember having any problem finding them. |
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The Mossberg 500 and Remmington 870 have the widest selection of parts available... Remmington now 'dimples' their stock mag tubes to prevent the use of extensions (ex the Police & Marine variants)... But Mossberg stock barrels on some models have the mag-cap built into the barrel, achieving the same result (you need a new bbl and mag tube to use an extension)... I, personally, bought a Mossberg. But I bought it because it was $129, not because of some interest in the brand... |
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I had a 1300 defender that sucked. The action bars and/or the parts that they engage were not machined to good tolerances and it ended up trying to dump the hole magazine into the elevator when I would rack it back. But, I guess mine was just a fluke or something, cuz you'all and some other I have known have not had any problems with them. I did like the stoke and the light weight of mine. I should also mention; however, that the 1300 is a bitch to re-assemble; it takes at least three hands to do it easily. I have a Mossy 500 marine now and I love it. Totally relaible, ambidexterous saftey (I am a lefty), all parts are either ss or nickle finish, smoothe action from factory and it is alot lighter and handier than a marine 870. |
| The 1300 is fast because the rotating bolt unlocks as the gun is fired. Once they are good and broken in, the bolt will retract partially after firing even before you start to pump. I have a Winchester 1200 that will open all the way and eject a slug hull 10 feet unless I hold the forend foreward tightly when I fire it. I called Winchester and they said that that was normal. The rotating bolt is also much smoother in operation than the Mossy and 870 designs. No clunky locking and unlocking in the cycling. |
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Very happy 1300 owner here. Had VangComp port the stock barrel, added a Knoxx recoil reducing stock, side saddle, CQB Solutions tac-sling, and had the metal refinished by Mac's Shootin' Iron Restorations in OD Green. Thinking about adding a SureFire Forend light next... |
 I actually like the action onmy 1300 better than my 870. As others have said it's a fast & smooth pump gun, should be very reliable. Some argue the 870 is more durable, I don't know why it would be but the 870 does use a steel receiver though, most other shotguns use a aluminum receiver. |
| It makes absolutely no difference in reliability or durability that the 1300 reciever is aluminum (unless you are concerned about it getting run over by a truck). The 1300 locks up in the rear of the barrel at the locking lugs and the bolt lugs, like an Ar15. Thus the reciever is not a stressed part at all. The 870 or Mossy, as with basically all other shotguns, does lock up in the reciever and so an aluminum receiver would be too weak probably. Like I said above, I love the light weight aluminum reciever. |
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Why not get an FN Tactical Police Shotgun. It is basically a 1300 Defender with all the bells and whistles. Click here for larger image: www.hunt101.com/img/128154-big.JPG  Click here for larger image: www.hunt101.com/img/128155-big.JPG  Click here for larger image: www.hunt101.com/img/128156-big.JPG  Click here for larger image: www.hunt101.com/img/128158-big.JPG 
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I have the basic all black synthetic stocked 1300 Defender and a 1300 Field that I use for duck and bird hunting. These really are probably the fastest pump shotguns out there. They are not hard to take down and put back together, contrary to what someone said above. Mine has a cheap nylon sling and a 6 shot side-saddle loaded with Fiocchi LE slugs and 00 buck. I actually shoot clays with mine for practice sometimes, and have broken clays with 00 buck...  (dont worry I had a good backstop)The Benelli Nova is probably pretty good too; I handled one and it was pretty nice. Nice feature of the Nova is a button on the forearm that holds the magazine in reserve so you can switch the chambered round without "downloading" the magazine tube for a select slug drill or fumbling shells in the reciver. |
| Do any of you know if the Winchester youth model stock will fit on a 12 gauge Winchester 1300? I have a 1300 Camp Defender and the stock is just a bit long. I am thinking about the Hogue. It is a little shorter. Any other recommendations for a shorter stock would be appreciated. |
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