Defender from Winchester.

Likes: It's lightweight and I like the grip a bit better than the Remington. IIRC, it was also easier to load and held one more round in the magazine for the 18" barrel because of the bolt locking to the barrel.

Dislikes: It wasn't as smooth as even my 870 Express out of the box. It didn't point as well and it was lighter (yes, lighter to carry but heavier on the shoulder). The cheek weld and stock weren't right for me. I also HATED the bolt release and the safety didn't impress me much. Can't rightly remember how it took down to clean either. I did like the fact that it had a TRUE long magazine instead of an Extended standard magazine. My preference.
 
I have one and I like it. I also just bought an 870 but I haven't got a chance to fire that yet, so I can't compare the two. Here's what I like about the Defender:

1.) It's fast. I can pump and fire that thing fast enough to keep a can moving without the can stopping or slowing.

2.) It's easy to take apart and clean.

3.) It's light.

4.) The mag tube is right on.

Here's what I don't like:

1.) The bolt opens pretty easy. If it's just cracked a hair and you go to load a shell into the magazine for a refresh, the shell will bind and get stuck. I don't like that. That's the price you pay for the speed of the pump on this weapon.


All in all, I like mine. Now that I have my 870, I still won't sell my Defender. It's a good shotgun. No, don't try and make a hunting gun out of it. That's not what it was made for. But it is a helluva fun gun, it's fast as greased lightning, and it would live up to it's name if it had to with aces high.
 
While a dedicated(Maybe fanatical) 870 fan, I've shot a few Defenders(Student's guns) and they did everything I wanted them to. I like them, tho not enough to switch.

IIRC, my times on some fast COFs with a Defender was close to that with my 870s. Not bad at all.

Some drive Fords, some Chevies....
 
Thanks guys. I have one on the way from NV... got it for $200NIB
Figured it was a good price for a new gun :cool:
 
Back
Top