Need info on Winchester 1300 defender

M

midvalley

Inactive
Hello folks,

I am considering buying a 1300 defender and would like some input from those that own or have fired one. Especially anyone who has 500+ rounds through a defender. I plan to shoot the defender in our IDPA clubs shotgun side matches and possibly to keep available for defense purposes. Here are my key concerns:

How many rounds through your defender? Any problems?

How easy is it to take apart for cleaning?

Is there a web resource describing take down?

Does the mag hold 8? I have seen the defender described as an 8 rounder and also as an 8 + 1 capacity? Which is it?

Have you tried the Aguila mini-shells? How did they work?

How effective is the bead and grooved receiver with slugs at 25 yards? 50 yards?

At what distance does 00 buck spread out to the point of being ineffective?

What is the length of pull?

What accerories do you have on your defender?

I know thats a lot of questions, thanks in advance for your input.

Keith
 
defender

I have a Defender in 20ga. To answer the questions:
a. 175rnds. thru mine, not a hitch!
b. very easy to field strip/clean
c. www.Winchester-guns.com has downloadable manuals for 1300 series.
d. Holds seven shells in the mag.
e. no
f. The tru-glo sight holds to POA[point of aim] at 50yd.
g. Don't have 00 buck for the 20, but Federal's pers.def. ammo spreads smoooooth!
h. look on www.winchester-guns.com
i. a sling. a bandoleer. Thinking about ghost ring sights, or an aimpoint!

:rolleyes:
:barf:
 
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How many rounds through your defender?

Thousands thru one. 843 thru the one I have a book on. Hundreds through the other 2.

Any problems?

Broke the ejector on one of them. I suspect it had something to do with poor attention to detail during assembly on my part though, as it broke the first time I cycled it after assembly. So, no...no problems.

What is the length of pull?

14" on 2 of them. 12.5" on a custom stock on 1 of them. 13" on the other. It has the ranger compact stock.

At what distance does 00 buck spread out to the point of being ineffective?

Depends on the load. I don't use buckshot past 25-30 yds anyway, unless I'm playing around.

How effective is the bead and grooved receiver with slugs at 25 yards? 50 yards?

Not at all...at either. Might as well not be there.

Have you tried the Aguila mini-shells? How did they work?

No, but ALS Tactical Entry Buckshot works fine. 1.9" shells.

Does the mag hold 8?

None of mine do. Mine all hold 7. But I've seen 8 shot tubes. Don't know if they were factory or custom.

Is there a web resource describing take down?

http://www.usracmfg.com/Manuals/Model1300_Manual.pdf

How easy is it to take apart for cleaning?

Very.
 
I don't own a 1300, but I can help on your question about spread. Otherwise identical models of guns, with the same type of barrel will have different spreads. Different brands of shells will differ drastically. No matter which gun you have, you will need to pattern it for the load you shoot.
 
The more rounds ya put through it the sweeter it gets. A true workhorse.
I bought my 8-shot Defender used from a friend. He had put about five thousand rounds through it (mostly 00 buck). And since I've had it I've fired about one thousand rounds through it without a hitch! The action is as smooth as the day I bought it. My friend put front and rear pistol grips on it. I put a side saddle shell holder on it myself. The tubular magazine holds eight rounds, plus one in the chamber for a total of 9. It's a very simple gun to clean.
BUY IT! You wont be disappointed.
 
Take a look at the FN Police model, it is practically identical to the Winnie. You can see photo's at the Fulton Armory website. I have one but have only fired about fifty rounds with it for functional testing. Mine came with two choke tubes for what its worth. Al in Md
 
Yep-It's a Sure Winner

Agree with Kevan above, you WILL be glad you got a Winchester Model 1300 Defender, when you've tried all of the others.
It just can't be beat--sorry babes--just can't.
See Ya--StevieB.:cool:
 
Buddy of mine has a 1300 Defender with hi-viz sight and Sidesaddle. He also uses it in IPSC 3 gun and IDPA 2 gun competition.

I've fired it a few times, works great. I really like the hi-viz fiber optic sight. It may not be as durable as a bead if you're "in the field" but otherwise works fine.

Justin
 
I have over 1000 through my Defender with no problems. All pellets within a sillouette target at 25 yrds with Winchester 00 buck (this is the longest distance I have ever shot.) It is very easy to field strip and clean. My only accessories are a sidesaddle and a sling. The magazine only holds seven rounds (7+1). A great HD shotgun at a hard-to-beat price!
 
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