[Bill Lester]

Gentlemen,

I'm in the immediate market for a new shotgun. I've always liked and owned Remington 870's but the USRAC Model 1300 caught my eye. In Ranger form vs. the 870 Express the wood is nicer looking and I get all three of the common choke tubes for &#3620 less than the Remington. However, without any experience with them I'm not completely sold. Can I expect the same durability and reliability as I've had with the 870? The Winchester seems lighter, does it have an aluminum receiver or other major components? If you have experience with these guns please reply ASAP as I'll be buying Thursday evening. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bill Lester]

Ralph,

Thanks for your post. To be honest I had a great many doubts about the Winchester before starting this thread. Several of the problems you mentioned have been experienced by people I know. The only reason I considered the 1300 was because it was new to me compared to my longtime companion the Remington 870.

The reason why I was shopping around is because I'm down to just one shotgun (!!!), an 870 HD. I had to sell my last Wingmaster in a time of financial crisis. Now my HD is just fine except I modified it for an extended tube, filing away those detents you mentioned in the process.
What I do to limit the capacity for hunting is insert a homemade dowel cut to the proper length. Works just fine and is completely legal.

I was looking at another used example when the good folks at my local gunshop told me of a NIB 26" VR Express barrel lying around. Apparantly someone wanted to buy an 870 Express slug gun and they only had the combo affair. He didn't want the Remchoke barrel so his loss is my gain for only &#36110. Mounted on my HD it may look a bit odd but with the extra weight of the steel mag extension it swings smoothly with a bit of muzzle heaviness I like. It should do nicely for pass shooting geese this coming Saturday. James and Ralph, thanks for the input.

 

[Bill Lester]

Nothing to fear. This particular HD Express has well in excess of 5000 rounds already. Everything from mild Skeet loads to bruising Brenneke slugs. Everything still locks up nice & tight.

I didn't know that the beloved Model 12 had major problems like the newer 1200 and 1300? It has such a reputation among those old enough to remember it firsthand.

 

[Bill Lester]

Ray,

I would steer clear of the Mossberg 500. I know of two personally that have had broken safeties (a plastic part) and one that had to be returned to the factory twice for feeding problems. Granted every manufacturer's wares have problems from time to time, but 100% of the Mossbergs I'm familiar with have been trouble.

If you are in need of an all-around shotgun, there is none better than the Remington 870 Express Combo. It gives you a Rem Choke bird barrel and a rifle-sighted slug tube. With this setup and the proper ammo you are set for literally anything that walks on or flys above this planet. Not bad for &#36300, eh?