No Love for the 1200 - Give 'em Away?

J

JNewell

New member
Stopped by the LGS today on the way home from picking up a $50 part for a Pontiac Vibe...walked out with a Winchester 1200, 18" "Riot"-marked barrel...$125 OTD. Do these things really command that little respect in our market? My first shotgun was a 1200 with a 26" Winchoke barrel, a Christmas present back in 1970. Seems amazing to pick up one of these with the relatively desirable 18" barrel for only about twice what I paid for a flippin' blower resistor for the Vibe??? :eek: Sheesh. :D
 
JNewell,
With your bargain 1200 you've got a gun that's been out of production for almost 30-years and made by a company that's changed hands a few times since then. It's virtually an orphaned gun. For the 870 buyers, Remington continues to make and support 870s.

IIRC, in 1964, the Model 1200 was Winchester's replacement for the discontinued Model 12. There's nothing wrong with the 1200 (and it's 1983 successor the 1300), and some feel the 1200's fast cycling is worth the additional cost. Its ills were market related and had started a decade earlier -- the new Winchester pump was too little, too late.

The Remington 870 Wingmaster had been eating away at the Model 12's market share since its introduction in 1950. The Model 12 was a higher quality pump gun than the Wingmaster; but, most folks weren't willing to pay extra for the M-12 because the Wingmaster was a great performer. Discriminating shooters were willing to pay more for the M-12, but their ranks faded. In an exercise of unfortunate timing, just as Winchester introduced their down graded 1200 pump, Remington blew them away with the all new Model 1100 gas operated auto-loader. IMHO, if it hadn't been for military sales of 1200s during the Vietnam war ear, it may not have lasted as long as it did.
 
Good job on the 1200. Yes, they really do not command much respect, partly because Winchester flooded the market with Model 1200/1300 shotguns that looked like hammered dog droppings (stained birch stocks with stamped checkering, rough metal finishes, painted receivers), partly because in people's minds they are competing with Remington 870s even though Winchester positioned them to compete with cheaper shotguns. Generally, they draw about $200 for the riot configuration, so you did well. Full dress Model 1200s draw about $300-$350.
 
i just bought a 1200 for my first gun, its a stainless steel police edition chambered for 2/34" and 3", 18" barrel, CYL bore choke, 6 tube capacity, and i believe the furniture is maple? im overall very pleased and hope i made an alright choice- got it for $245 + fees. i live in CA and its a bit harder to find a NICE, CHEAP, RELIABLE gun here for under $300. ill post pics when i pick it up in 5 days.
 
My dad bought his in 1200 in 1983, these are great guns for the money. Take care of it and it will last forever. They are kinda hard to break down and put back together but that is my only complaint.

Good investment, and congrats!
 
The 1200 and 1300 are in my Top Ten list of using guns. While my heart belongs to the 870 when it comes to pumps, if all at hand was a 1200, I'd be well equipped.
 
I think I've owned or still own just about every major American pump shotgun manufactured in this century and a few others beside those. It's been a while since I detail stripped a 1200. The more I consider pump shotguns, the more deeply I am struck by how very "right" (IMO, at least) the designers of the 870 got it. (For example, removing the bolt in a 1200 is a with-tools task, and getting the darned thing back together is a three+ hands task.)

As far as orphaned and out of production, I am still shooting quite a few smokeless rifles made before the turn of the 20th century, and (like the 1200) I can still get parts for all of them, though the Krag parts have gotten pricey. Still, I have to say that I'm very comfortable with the parts situation for a 1200 - Browning/FN still has basically everything in stock for these.
 
Its not by any standard the best on the market, but for what you pay these are great guns that will not disapoint you.
 
My brother has had a 1200 defender for most of 25+ years and when my oldest son was 12 (now 38) I got him a 20 gauge youth model. We still both have the shotguns and while I wouldn't trade either one for my good old Wingmaster.
Both have been solid,trouble free shotguns...............:cool:
 
1300

I was looking for a "budget minded" 12 gauge to shoot trap with recently. I didn't want to drop the money on an auto loader as I was new to the sport and didn't know if I was going to stick with it as I had only done it a couple of times. I don't mind shooting trap with a pump and ended up getting a 1300 at a show, new in the box with all the chokes, the wrench, manuals and even the tags for $240. I have to say that now when I go shoot trap or sporting clays, even though I have one, my auto loader stays at home. Sure, it kicks my butt by the end of the day but that gun is great. LOVE the way it cycles. I can get off four decently aimed shots chasing two birds while the clays are airborne. That's saying something for a pump. At least to an inexperienced guy like me.
 
Its not by any standard the best on the market, but for what you pay these are great guns that will not disapoint you.
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I disagree. It's as good as anything on the market and I'd buy dozens if I could find them for $125.
 
The video version of the purchase was pretty funny (IMO). The 1200 was tagged at $190. I looked it over, figured "there's no harm asking," so asked the shop owner whether he'd take a buck and a quarter for it. He took the gun and disappeared into the back room to check his records.

When he came back out, he had the gun in one hand and a blank 4473 in the other hand. I laughed and grabbed a pen. :D A buck and a quarter for an 18" 1200 that's tight & right - I just couldn't pass it up. :cool:
 
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