What do y'all think of the Winchester Defender, Model 1300? It is a 12 gauge pump shotgun with an 18'' barrel, and holds eight shells.

My Dad had one, I shot it a few times, and he sold it.
Did not feel as solid as my 870, IMHO.
I would rather have the Remington, or a Mossberg 590.

It is fine. But IMHO the 870 is better. But that's just me. Ford vs Chevy.

Go look at the Benelli Nova. I went from 870 to the Nova for ducks about 6 years ago and really like my Nova.

They make a marine version and a shorter defense barrel.

A wise man once said "No home security system is complete without a 12 gauge shotgun!"

I have to agree. I have owned an 870 (long barrel sporting model) and well as a Defender and a 500 series Mossberg. I prefer the mossberg but I am a southpaw so that is really the deciding factor for me. My 870 was a great field gun though so I imagine that defense version is just as good. I dont think I would ever own another Defender.

George, the 1300, the 870 and teh 500 are all quality rigs, widely used by police around the world.( I guess a lot of agencies and units in Europe are picking up the 1300- Winchester is owned by FN, which is owned by GIAT, and they are dressing up some 1300 varients for military or police sales in the FN catalog.) And the Nova is a Benelli product- saying Benelli is like saying BMW, you know it is quality. LAPD SWAT, the SAS, the SEALs and a lot of other name droppable units use their autoloaders.

Go to a couple of shops, see what you can get a feel for. Work the actions, see how it feels when you dry fire and how the slide feels. Try to find the controls with your eyes closed. As the guy behind the counter if he has some snap caps- odds are good he might. You use those to get a feel for how it loads and feeds. Pick the two you like the best, and THEN look at price tags. :P Remember to buy a bunch of ammo, so you can get use to it.

It isn't easier than asking us, but it is more effective. We can't tell you what will feel right in your hands. And that is what is going to matter in the long run. What feels best might be a WWII surplus model 12 with half the finish worn away, or a budget model from the Phillipeans (Armscorp is a little rough in thier finish, but thier stuff is supposed to be used by the Phillipino internal sercurity guys in the jungle- they've been doing anti-guerilla work for a century in that jungle, they won't settle for junk), or maybe a big name, brand new "boomsitck" from a custom shop.

Never by guns, knives or shoes for someone else, becuase you can't predict what will feel really good for them.

Thanks for the tips. I agree that the Remington, Mosberg, and Winchester are all quality shotguns. I have used a Remington 870 in the past, but I like the feel of the Winchester and Mosberg. I will look at them all more closely.

Hi George,
In this field I have a little experience. My recommendation, as far a defense, is to stay with the 870 and 590. Neither the extractor nor the quality of the barrels of the 1300 have ever satisfied me.
You can not go wrong with an 870, very smooth system and great accuracy, and a 590 will offer you a very good trigger and a drilled box which will allowed you to install different kind o sights.
Also think in two accessories for your defensive shotgun, a Surefire forearm tactical light and ghost rings. Other stuff is just adding to much weigh, at least form my stand point.
Hope this helps.

The Win 1300 Defender is great, especially for the money. 18" barrel, fiber optic front sight, 8 shell capacity, parkerized, with the option of using a pistol grip. Mine's been very accurate and reliable with a fast action. I have mine in urban apartment defense mode with a pistol grip and birdshot. With the full stock I've also done skeet shooting (informal, of course) with it and have been surprised by it's accuracy. The Mossbergs have a looser feel. The Remington 870 is solid and smooth, but I couldn't find one configured like the 1300.

I've had a 870 for the past two years and the best thing about it is that everything is interchangable with lots of aftermarket items. Gives you other options if you'd like to use it more for just home defense.