Winchester 1300 Forend Question

[adriano]

Hello all. I have narrowed my shotgun choice down to either the Mossberg 500 or the Winchester 1300 (Defender), and I am hoping the Winchester owners can answer a question. The gun store I frequent most often does not carry the Defender model, but they do have other Winchesters in stock. These models (Ranger) have a "plasticky" looking forend that is supposed to look like wood, but, to me, looks just awful. The best way I can describe the forend is that it looks like a series of "ribs" that run from one side of the forend to the other (not end-to-end). I have looked online, and found that the synthetic Defender model has these ribs, but the forend stock itself does not have the "plasticky" look of the fake-wood Ranger, but I also know that pictures on the web can be deceiving. So (and here is the question FINALLY!)...can Defender owners comment on the (synthetic-black) forend of their guns and tell me how substantial it feels or looks? Thanks,

Adriano

 

[Dfariswheel]

Winchester uses the same black, glass-filled nylon everybody uses for shotgun stocks and forearms.

This material is cheap, easy to make, and virtually indestructible.

You can scratch it, you can melt it, you can dent it, (if you hit it hard enough), but it's "almost" impossible to break.

Some makers build solid buttstocks for shotguns from this stuff, and you can literally beat a steel door down with it without it breaking.

You won't have any trouble with breaking the 1300 synthetic forearm.

 

[BillCA]

Gotta agree with Dfariswheel. Substantial. My defender has the black synthetic stock and it works fine. I actually like it better than wood for a combat shotgun.

I found mine new for $200 and broke it in with some 2 3/4" #8 target loads. I then ran some 3" game & Federal personal defense loads through it, including some slugs. Conclusion: game loads are actually more punishing than the "personal defense" loads. But a pair of #6 bird, then #4 buck in 2 3/4" followed by 3" #00 buck should get the job done. The sling carries spares that are S&B 3" #00 buck. If I have to resort to these, it'll be to fight my way to the M1A!