Winchester Defender barrel gap and play

E

elprofeloco

New member
I recently purchased a used (98%) Winchester 1300 Defender (my first shotgun) with 18 inch barrel and wood furniture (stock, forearm) - it was in EXCELLENT condition. I have yet to take it for a test fire.
HOWEVER, while working the action, I noticed the barrel has some play and slop that can result in about a 3/32" gap between the barrel and receiver - and I can easily push the barrel rearward to close this gap (or forward to open the gap). The slop/gap can be easily opened or closed while the action/slide is in any position (slide open, slide closed, cocked, fired/uncocked).
?? IS THIS NORMAL; SAFE? (IF NOT, IS THERE A REMEDY SHORT OF A GUNSMITH?)
 
Don't try to use/shoot it until the problem is corrected.
Have somebody examine it in-person. This isn't something which can be done via the internet.
Otherwise, find another one and compare yours to it. Pay particular attention to how the magazine caps attach the barrels onto the guns. Hopefully, you merely have the wrong mag cap or else your mag cap isn't fulling tightening for some reason.
I can't think of any other reasons for your problem, at the moment.
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+1 on the loose magazine cap.

Make sure the shotgun is unloaded and the action open. With the muzzle up (and not pointed towards you, obviously), see if you can tighten the cap at the end of the magazine tube. If you can turn it, it's too loose and is probably the source of your gap. If it is tight, have a gunsmith examine the gun before shooting it.
 
thanks!

Thanks, folks. A slightly loose mag cap WAS the problem. (Now I feel foolish - but safe).
It doesn't make me feel warm and wonderful that the only thing holding the barrel in place is an exterior mag cap - now I need to make sure to check that at all times before use.
Thanks again.
 
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