[James Gates]

Even after working for Winchester-Western for many years....Forget the 1300 and go with the Rem pump.
The Win has an alloy receiver and turn bolt head. The Rem chokes cost more, but are longer(line up) and better made.
Best Regards, James

 

[James Gates]

Bill...It's bad when an ex-Winchester man push the Remington 870, in any cofiguration, but that's just the way it is. The 1200/1300 and the 1400/1500 series leave a lot to be desired. When I was shooting the Florida Winter Trap Chain for Winchester, I would carry big fishing tackle bax full of Mod.12 parts. Spent many hours keeping shooter's Mod.12's going. Yet, I never saw the first rem 870 Trap Gun quit!!!
The Wichester Mod 101 and Mod SuperX1 are a different story....great guns worthy of the old WW quality.
One thing to watch...some Express guns got out with soft bolts/barrel extensions. After shooting the gun for awhile, check for any pinging/battering! If so, Rem will replace the part.
Good Shooting, James  

 

[James Gates]

The Mod 12's that were shot on the trap fields were fired 200 times a day..100 16 yard birds in the morning and 100 handicap in the afternoon. Most were fired more in one trap season than the fieldguns in years. The major problem was with broken firing pins, extractors, and ejectors. The field guns did pretty well...the point I was trying to bring out was even with this hammering the 870's keep shooting.
Best Regards, James