870 or 1300?

AdrenalineJunky · July 19, 2001, 12:23 PM

I have both a rem. 870 and a win. 1300. I shot the 870 for about four years and it's a great (more like one of the best) pump for skeet, pheasant and waterfowl. I bought my 1300 last october, and I have to say, that it absolutely blew the 870 away. Don't get me wrong, I love the 870. Both are extremely accurate, lightweight and well built, but the 1300 has much smoother action all around. From loading to pumping to pulling the trigger, the 1300 has a little extra class. What do you think?
870:

1300:

Dave McC · July 19, 2001, 12:37 PM

870,but did you really have to ask(G)?

AdrenalineJunky · July 19, 2001, 12:41 PM

Have you used the 1300?

scouter27 · July 19, 2001, 12:58 PM

I love my 1300. My father has an 870, 2 accually. But the 1300 has just been dubed my home defense gun, yesterday; when I got the new componants, and I'll be hunting with my BPS from now on.

mjcitra · July 19, 2001, 12:59 PM

I recently (last fall) bought the 1300 and I prefer it over my father's 870. Its really a nice gun and costs a little less than the Remington.

PJR · July 19, 2001, 01:40 PM

Remington 870. More options, more reliable, more durable and they get smoother with age. The Winchester is not a bad product by any means but they aren't seen too frequently in police cruisers, on the clay fields or in the custom shops. 6 million or so users can't be wrong.

Battler · July 19, 2001, 02:08 PM

Rem 870 just captured the mil/police market first.

HarryB · July 19, 2001, 02:20 PM

Can't lose here, I have both!

AdrenalineJunky · July 19, 2001, 03:54 PM

Which do you like better? I do agree with PJR about 870s getting better with age, but I do think that 6 million users can be wrong. In fact, aside from agreement regarding getting better with age, I disagree with everything PJR has said. I think that the 1300 is more reliable, the first thing I noticed about the 1300 is that it was more durable, and I think that too many shooters are more concerned with what the police are packing to give anything else a shot(pun intended). If you look at the responses from people who have both, or have used both for a significant period of time, they've said 1300. 6 million users can be wrong if they never have used a 1300. Once you've had to rely on both in skeet shoot-outs or while hunting, I think you'll agree, they're both great guns, but the 1300 is more fun and easier to use.

HarryB · July 19, 2001, 04:26 PM

Not gonna take the bait there!

I wish I got to shoot them enough to make a determination. My 1300 is my HD gun and my 870 3.5" Super Mag is my everything else gun. The both mount the same and while the 1300 has a slicker action the 870 isn't far behind (if at all). I hope to try the 1300 on some clays soon but temp is the 100's don't allow for long comfortable sessions at the moment.

The problem with your question (870 vs. 1300) is you want an objective answer to an extremely subjective question.

AdrenalineJunky · July 19, 2001, 05:41 PM

Quote:

The problem with your question (870 vs. 1300) is you want an objective answer to an extremely subjective question.

Fair enough. But I have to say that it was very easy to draw my conclusion.

S.F.S · July 19, 2001, 06:48 PM

I am another one who prefers the 870... I have tried both but I am a whole lot quicker with follow up shots with the 870 than I could ever think of being with the 1300, I will admit when comparing both shotguns new, the 1300 is smoother but after breakin and age the 870 gets smoother... YMMV..

rugerfreak · July 19, 2001, 07:20 PM

Every 1300 I've looked at in the store seemed stiff--cheap---and junky. You sure we're talking about the same gun?? Never liked one enough to bring it home.

johnbt · July 19, 2001, 07:40 PM

Better than an 870?

A Winchester Model 12, yes. A Winchester 1300, I don't know.

I like the 870. Even my Express Magnum smoothed up nicely after a little polishing and a couple of thousand cycles.

The last thing I read said that the 870 production was up over 7 million.

John

JNewell · July 19, 2001, 08:34 PM

Have owned 1200, 500, and 870. No choice: 870. Not even close.

Rob62 · July 19, 2001, 08:43 PM

Like most of the above responses, I believe the 870 is one of the best shotguns out there. In my opinion its arguably THE best.

Rob

Romulus · July 20, 2001, 01:15 AM

I was thinking of posting another poll, 870 vs. '37 (or '87,) but that would be quite unfair...

Ewok_Guy · July 20, 2001, 01:48 AM

I've had much experience with both- and prefer the 1300.

Dave McC · July 20, 2001, 08:29 AM

AJ, there's darn few shotguns I haven't shot someplace and time. 40 years of shotgunning means lots of neat toys. My experience with the 1300 has been limited to shooting those some private students brouhgt to the range, and was positive. The 1300s did what I wanted them to.No glitches.

Md DOC tried the 1200s, and later some 1300s. They didn't hold up as well as the 870s did. Neither did the S&W 3000 series.They didn't even try the Mossy. In fact no shotgun could stand up to the neglect, abuse and misuse common to prisons like the 870.

6 million 870 owners didn't get that way because of good marketing. Remington set out to make a pumpgun as durable, reliable and smooth as their model 31, or Winchester's Model 12, without all the expensive machining those excellent designs entailed.They built a better, cheaper mousetrap and the world beat a path to Ilion....

Besides durability and reliability, the 870 is quite easily operator maintained. The list of addon and aftermarket parts is amazing.

Name one model of shotgun introduced since 1950 that has aftermarket parts to match, from new bbls to trigger groups.

Also, I've shot trap with a fair amount of folks savvy about shotguns lately. Bet I've not seen three 1300s out there in the last 6 months.

However, IMO, the 1300 is a decent shotgun fully capable of more than most operators can get from it. ENjoy....

HarryB · July 20, 2001, 08:56 AM

I have the feeling that I could hand you a piece of PVC pipe, a can of baby powder, and a dead cat, and watch you work some shotgun magic.

I appreciate all the wisdom you share with others without projecting a know it all attitude. It's a pleasure to log on each morning and read your contributions to this forum!

Dave McC · July 20, 2001, 01:20 PM

(Scuffing my foot and mumbling in my best Jimy Stewart imitation)Aw shucks....

Make it two pieces of pipe, a 10 penny nail, and a shell, you got a deal(G)...

Thanks!

One thing....

I'm not showing off. I just have a breadth and depth of experience not common these days, and since plenty of good people helped me get here, I like to pass it along.

AdrenalineJunky · July 20, 2001, 01:33 PM

Quote:

I appreciate all the wisdom you share with others without projecting a know it all attitude. It's a pleasure to log on each morning and read your contributions to this forum!

Although I haven't agreed with many of the responses, I do accept them and respect them. I guess it boils down to individual taste. As I said, I own both, and use both on a regular basis. They are wonderful guns. But, when shooting skeet, or hunting, my 870 is my reliable back-up. Thanks again for all of the honest responses, I appreciate them.

KA3N · July 20, 2001, 04:37 PM

Bought a new 1300 Stainless Marine 3 months ago, and a new 870 Express a few weeks ago.

While I'm very happy with the 1300, I was totally impressed when I opened the 870’s box and attached the barrel. It just screams quality. The wood is perfect, the finish is perfect, it cycles flawlessly and is very accurate.

This is only the inexpensive Express model, and I’m totally impressed! I can only imagine (for now) how nice the high end Remington models are.

(The bolt in my 1300 has jammed twice so far, and the finish is very poor on the magazine tube.)

Al Thompson · July 20, 2001, 05:33 PM

In no way does my experiance come close to DaveMcQ's, but I have used all shotguns mentioned. I own most of them and really have no complaints. The 870 strikes me as the "Harley Davidson" of SGs, with the Ithaca M37 as (maybe) the Indian. The 1300 more of a big fast Japenese bike.

I have had no problems with any of the SGs mentioned, but the 870 has the (subjective on my part) edge in durability. The 1300 may be a bit faster, but seems to me to be somewhat more fragile.

Strongly suspect we are indulging in what Bill Norton has referred to as "the shooters "one of" generalizations" - I.E., my XYZ is better than your ABC as the one XYZ I had broke. Blaming a bunch of anything on the failure of a single sample is short-sighted, but we (shooters) do it all the time. Heck, I still can't bring myself to buy another Walther PPk.

For HD and general use, they all work fine. If I wanted one with demonstrated durability, I'm afraid the 870 has a longer track record.

Giz

View Poll Results: Which do you prefer?
Remington 870 pump	27	71.05%
Winchester 1300 pump	11	28.95%
Voters: 38. You may not vote on this poll

July 19, 2001, 12:23 PM	#1
AdrenalineJunky Member Join Date: July 16, 2001 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 47	870 or 1300? I have both a rem. 870 and a win. 1300. I shot the 870 for about four years and it's a great (more like one of the best) pump for skeet, pheasant and waterfowl. I bought my 1300 last october, and I have to say, that it absolutely blew the 870 away. Don't get me wrong, I love the 870. Both are extremely accurate, lightweight and well built, but the 1300 has much smoother action all around. From loading to pumping to pulling the trigger, the 1300 has a little extra class. What do you think? 870: 1300:

July 19, 2001, 12:41 PM	#3
AdrenalineJunky Member Join Date: July 16, 2001 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 47	Dave M... Have you used the 1300?

July 19, 2001, 12:58 PM	#4
scouter27 Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2001 Location: pennsylvania Posts: 420	I love my 1300. My father has an 870, 2 accually. But the 1300 has just been dubed my home defense gun, yesterday; when I got the new componants, and I'll be hunting with my BPS from now on. __________________ Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons. S/F Jesse

July 19, 2001, 03:54 PM	#9
AdrenalineJunky Member Join Date: July 16, 2001 Location: Ukiah, CA Posts: 47	Harry B... Which do you like better? I do agree with PJR about 870s getting better with age, but I do think that 6 million users can be wrong. In fact, aside from agreement regarding getting better with age, I disagree with everything PJR has said. I think that the 1300 is more reliable, the first thing I noticed about the 1300 is that it was more durable, and I think that too many shooters are more concerned with what the police are packing to give anything else a shot(pun intended). If you look at the responses from people who have both, or have used both for a significant period of time, they've said 1300. 6 million users can be wrong if they never have used a 1300. Once you've had to rely on both in skeet shoot-outs or while hunting, I think you'll agree, they're both great guns, but the 1300 is more fun and easier to use. __________________ Work the ditches, beat the brush...and bang'em down!

July 19, 2001, 12:37 PM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	870,but did you really have to ask(G)?

July 19, 2001, 12:59 PM	#5
mjcitra Member Join Date: December 6, 2000 Posts: 39	I recently (last fall) bought the 1300 and I prefer it over my father's 870. Its really a nice gun and costs a little less than the Remington.

July 19, 2001, 01:40 PM	#6
PJR Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2000 Posts: 1,127	Remington 870. More options, more reliable, more durable and they get smoother with age. The Winchester is not a bad product by any means but they aren't seen too frequently in police cruisers, on the clay fields or in the custom shops. 6 million or so users can't be wrong.

July 19, 2001, 02:08 PM	#7
Battler Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2000 Posts: 1,185	Rem 870 just captured the mil/police market first.

July 19, 2001, 02:20 PM	#8
HarryB Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: Mesa Arizona Posts: 330	Can't lose here, I have both!

July 19, 2001, 04:26 PM	#10
HarryB Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: Mesa Arizona Posts: 330	Not gonna take the bait there! I wish I got to shoot them enough to make a determination. My 1300 is my HD gun and my 870 3.5" Super Mag is my everything else gun. The both mount the same and while the 1300 has a slicker action the 870 isn't far behind (if at all). I hope to try the 1300 on some clays soon but temp is the 100's don't allow for long comfortable sessions at the moment. The problem with your question (870 vs. 1300) is you want an objective answer to an extremely subjective question.

July 19, 2001, 06:48 PM	#12
S.F.S Senior Member Join Date: April 24, 2001 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 469	I am another one who prefers the 870... I have tried both but I am a whole lot quicker with follow up shots with the 870 than I could ever think of being with the 1300, I will admit when comparing both shotguns new, the 1300 is smoother but after breakin and age the 870 gets smoother... YMMV..

July 19, 2001, 07:20 PM	#13
rugerfreak Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2001 Posts: 819	Every 1300 I've looked at in the store seemed stiff--cheap---and junky. You sure we're talking about the same gun?? Never liked one enough to bring it home.

July 19, 2001, 07:40 PM	#14
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	Better than an 870? A Winchester Model 12, yes. A Winchester 1300, I don't know. I like the 870. Even my Express Magnum smoothed up nicely after a little polishing and a couple of thousand cycles. The last thing I read said that the 870 production was up over 7 million. John

July 19, 2001, 08:34 PM	#15
JNewell Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2000 Posts: 1,092	Have owned 1200, 500, and 870. No choice: 870. Not even close.

July 19, 2001, 08:43 PM	#16
Rob62 Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 1999 Location: Georgia, USA Posts: 560	Like most of the above responses, I believe the 870 is one of the best shotguns out there. In my opinion its arguably THE best. Rob __________________ NRA & NAHC Life Member

July 20, 2001, 01:15 AM	#17
Romulus Senior Member Join Date: January 18, 2001 Location: Kettle Moraine country Posts: 897	I was thinking of posting another poll, 870 vs. '37 (or '87,) but that would be quite unfair...

July 20, 2001, 01:48 AM	#18
Ewok_Guy Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 2001 Location: Endor Posts: 1,664	I've had much experience with both- and prefer the 1300.

July 20, 2001, 08:29 AM	#19
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	AJ, there's darn few shotguns I haven't shot someplace and time. 40 years of shotgunning means lots of neat toys. My experience with the 1300 has been limited to shooting those some private students brouhgt to the range, and was positive. The 1300s did what I wanted them to.No glitches. Md DOC tried the 1200s, and later some 1300s. They didn't hold up as well as the 870s did. Neither did the S&W 3000 series.They didn't even try the Mossy. In fact no shotgun could stand up to the neglect, abuse and misuse common to prisons like the 870. 6 million 870 owners didn't get that way because of good marketing. Remington set out to make a pumpgun as durable, reliable and smooth as their model 31, or Winchester's Model 12, without all the expensive machining those excellent designs entailed.They built a better, cheaper mousetrap and the world beat a path to Ilion.... Besides durability and reliability, the 870 is quite easily operator maintained. The list of addon and aftermarket parts is amazing. Name one model of shotgun introduced since 1950 that has aftermarket parts to match, from new bbls to trigger groups. Also, I've shot trap with a fair amount of folks savvy about shotguns lately. Bet I've not seen three 1300s out there in the last 6 months. However, IMO, the 1300 is a decent shotgun fully capable of more than most operators can get from it. ENjoy....

July 20, 2001, 08:56 AM	#20
HarryB Senior Member Join Date: April 4, 1999 Location: Mesa Arizona Posts: 330	Dave McC I have the feeling that I could hand you a piece of PVC pipe, a can of baby powder, and a dead cat, and watch you work some shotgun magic. I appreciate all the wisdom you share with others without projecting a know it all attitude. It's a pleasure to log on each morning and read your contributions to this forum!

July 20, 2001, 01:20 PM	#21
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	(Scuffing my foot and mumbling in my best Jimy Stewart imitation)Aw shucks.... Make it two pieces of pipe, a 10 penny nail, and a shell, you got a deal(G)... Thanks! One thing.... I'm not showing off. I just have a breadth and depth of experience not common these days, and since plenty of good people helped me get here, I like to pass it along.

July 20, 2001, 04:37 PM	#23
KA3N Member Join Date: July 5, 2000 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 39	Bought a new 1300 Stainless Marine 3 months ago, and a new 870 Express a few weeks ago. While I'm very happy with the 1300, I was totally impressed when I opened the 870’s box and attached the barrel. It just screams quality. The wood is perfect, the finish is perfect, it cycles flawlessly and is very accurate. This is only the inexpensive Express model, and I’m totally impressed! I can only imagine (for now) how nice the high end Remington models are. (The bolt in my 1300 has jammed twice so far, and the finish is very poor on the magazine tube.)

July 20, 2001, 05:33 PM	#24
Al Thompson Staff Alumnus Join Date: May 2, 1999 Location: South Carolina Posts: 3,611	In no way does my experiance come close to DaveMcQ's, but I have used all shotguns mentioned. I own most of them and really have no complaints. The 870 strikes me as the "Harley Davidson" of SGs, with the Ithaca M37 as (maybe) the Indian. The 1300 more of a big fast Japenese bike. I have had no problems with any of the SGs mentioned, but the 870 has the (subjective on my part) edge in durability. The 1300 may be a bit faster, but seems to me to be somewhat more fragile. Strongly suspect we are indulging in what Bill Norton has referred to as "the shooters "one of" generalizations" - I.E., my XYZ is better than your ABC as the one XYZ I had broke. Blaming a bunch of anything on the failure of a single sample is short-sighted, but we (shooters) do it all the time. Heck, I still can't bring myself to buy another Walther PPk. For HD and general use, they all work fine. If I wanted one with demonstrated durability, I'm afraid the 870 has a longer track record. Giz __________________ http://www.scfirearms.org/