I am trying to decide between two 12 ga. shotguns. Remington model 870 express 18" 7 shot synthetic and the Winchester, model 1300, defender 18", 8 shot each with a tactical light. Any words of advice in my purchase decision? I live in Springfield Illinois, any suggestions on the best place to view and purchase either gun? I am open to online purchase if it is a good savings. Thanks.
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Home defense 12ga purchase?
- Thread starter TEB
- Start date
jacobtowne
New member
Remington has made five or six million M870s, so they must be doing something right.
I'd be apprehensive about Winchester, since the factory in New Haven has closed.
IMO, 20 guage is more than enough for home defense. The arm is lighter and more pleasant to shoot than a 12, which encourages practice.
Make a list of any shooting scenarios in your house with the distance to the target. Then try these out at the range. You'll be surprised at the results.
JT
I'd be apprehensive about Winchester, since the factory in New Haven has closed.
IMO, 20 guage is more than enough for home defense. The arm is lighter and more pleasant to shoot than a 12, which encourages practice.
Make a list of any shooting scenarios in your house with the distance to the target. Then try these out at the range. You'll be surprised at the results.
JT
TEB,
I don't know how much experience you have with shotguns so far. Both your announced options are good solid guns, even though Winchester has indeed closed its doors, FNH (Winchester's parent company) is still producing the 1300- it's just marked now as the FN Police Shotgun. You can see it at http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/sg_police.htm . I have one, mine at less than $300 total was IMO a great bargain for all the features it offers. I happen to prefer 870s by a wide margin to all other pumpguns I've ever owned/handled/shot, but that's just me. You should make up your own mind based on experience.
I'd advise you to handle and if possible shoot examples of both guns, and see which one fits you better and which one you like more. The two guns have a lot in common but are very different in control layout and in some degree in function as well (for example, the FN/1300 has 'speed pump' which means the action is unlocked the instant the hammer falls, the Remington depends on a slight forward bump of the forearm in recoil to unlock the action so it can be pumped). Some folks like the Winchester/FN method, others like the Remington. And so on...
The FN/Winchester has an aluminum receiver and a rotating bolt, that means the receiver is lighter than the Remington but it is a bit longer as well, by about an inch or so. That of course means the overall weight of the gun is lower for the FN/Winchester than for the steel-receiver Remington, and the overall length of the FN/Winchester is a bit longer than a Remington with a comparable length barrel and stock. And so on...
Both guns are good reliable designs, both will most likely still be shootable when you are taking the long dirt nap. It is a matter of personal preference, I have all three (multiple 870s, two Winchester 1300s and one FN Police Shotgun) and would not feel underequipped no matter which one was available when the dance opened. Handle them both, shoot them if possible (friends, or nearby gun clubs with rentals available might help there), and then make up your mind based on your own preferences and experiences.
Good luck, and stay safe,
lpl/nc
I don't know how much experience you have with shotguns so far. Both your announced options are good solid guns, even though Winchester has indeed closed its doors, FNH (Winchester's parent company) is still producing the 1300- it's just marked now as the FN Police Shotgun. You can see it at http://www.fnhusa.com/contents/sg_police.htm . I have one, mine at less than $300 total was IMO a great bargain for all the features it offers. I happen to prefer 870s by a wide margin to all other pumpguns I've ever owned/handled/shot, but that's just me. You should make up your own mind based on experience.
I'd advise you to handle and if possible shoot examples of both guns, and see which one fits you better and which one you like more. The two guns have a lot in common but are very different in control layout and in some degree in function as well (for example, the FN/1300 has 'speed pump' which means the action is unlocked the instant the hammer falls, the Remington depends on a slight forward bump of the forearm in recoil to unlock the action so it can be pumped). Some folks like the Winchester/FN method, others like the Remington. And so on...
The FN/Winchester has an aluminum receiver and a rotating bolt, that means the receiver is lighter than the Remington but it is a bit longer as well, by about an inch or so. That of course means the overall weight of the gun is lower for the FN/Winchester than for the steel-receiver Remington, and the overall length of the FN/Winchester is a bit longer than a Remington with a comparable length barrel and stock. And so on...
Both guns are good reliable designs, both will most likely still be shootable when you are taking the long dirt nap. It is a matter of personal preference, I have all three (multiple 870s, two Winchester 1300s and one FN Police Shotgun) and would not feel underequipped no matter which one was available when the dance opened. Handle them both, shoot them if possible (friends, or nearby gun clubs with rentals available might help there), and then make up your mind based on your own preferences and experiences.
Good luck, and stay safe,
lpl/nc
revinkevin
New member
i dont know why everyone is shunning away from buying a winchester just because the plant closed its doors(parts are still avalible). if anything the value of winchester firearms will go up seeing as they will no longer be made. as far as add ons and barrels theres more avalible for the 870 (and there cheaper). i just love the feel and the speed and smoothness of the pump on the 1300.
They are both well made guns, and either will serve you well for home defence. The negative on the Winny is there are fewer after market parts available for them. The issue with the plant closing is repair parts may become more expensive and harder to obtain as time passes. Whether that will impact you in this lifetime is unknown at this time. As I recall, Winchester had about 10% of the pump market, so the parts will always be a bit more expensive.
Mannlicher
New member
Most 12 ga shotties bought for protection are shot a few times, and put in the safe or closet. For your proposed use, I don't think it makes any difference at all as to which of these two you buy. Go for the best deal.