Just bought one used and was wondering what sort of problems people have had with this gun?

I figure there must be a reason that law enforcement and military dont carry them?

For the same money you can get a M870 express or a M500 Mossberg both of which are better than Win 1300's or it's derivitives.Slide bars come unsodered from the forend tube for one thing. magnum man

little screw holds the bolt to the carrier that shears, plastic feed throat that breaks,long grooved flat spring ejector that malfunctions with rough use. those are repairs i remember off the top of my head not counting scope screws pulling out of the aluminum receiver.

They have been around for a long time in the 1200 and 1300 monicker. They seem to be one of those guns that people like to slam on the internet but the ones I know that are owned by friends and acquaintances seem to give good service. I had a 1400 for a while and it served me well. Since you have your gun I say shoot it and enjoy it. I wouldn't worry about it .

I hunted the crap out of three of them over the last 35 years - nothing ever broke - just born lucky I reckon.

I've had a 1200 for forty years with never a problem.


There were several 1300s at work and have seen one where the slide rails came loose from the tube that holds the stock like previously mentioned. No other problems that I know of.

I have a couple of them and a turkey hunting buddy has another. I also have a 1200 and had a 1400 (same church....different pew).

Never had or saw any problems with any of them.

Enjoy yours !!

I get some in every year with various maladies. But that goes for 870s too.. However, overall the 870 will give you the most reliable service.

I got a 1300 in yesterday with both ends of the action arms broken off. Second one in with that issue.. Another lost the ejector - and THAT was a spendy little item.. Main thing, as an owner, to be careful with - re-installing the barrel; watch carefully to ensure the tip of the ejector goes into it's slot on the barrel extension. DON'T force it.. If it's not going in at first, take a tool (hook maybe) and gently lift the tip up so it can slide into the barrel extension..

Do that every time and the ejector should last a LONG time..

Had one briefly and sold it. No problems, just didn't fit me right.