My father recently gave me back my first shotgun i ever owned, i had forgotten all about it. Its a 12ga winchester 1400 ranger (pump), from early 90's i think. I would like to put a synth. Pistol grip and new pump handle on it and shorter barrel. If i browse the net and see listings for grips that say fits winchester 1300/1400 i am to assume its a direct fit? I have no idea how many different 1400 models there have been over the years. Also, i am having trouble finding a short barrel. Can someone direct me to an 18" barrel that will fit on this, and maybe a heat shield as well? This gun seems kinda cheap but if i can turn it into a home defense gun fairly cheap i will be happy with it i guess..
Help , turning hunting shotgun to hd/tactical
- Thread starter carbine30
- Start date
BigD_in_FL
Moderator
Heat shield? REALLY?
Doyourselfafavor, take the gun, as is,and then put 1000 rounds through it at your favorite range. THEN decide what you might "need" as far as "tacky cool" accessories go
Doyourselfafavor, take the gun, as is,and then put 1000 rounds through it at your favorite range. THEN decide what you might "need" as far as "tacky cool" accessories go
breakingcontact
Moderator
Cool you got your first shotgun back. Just appreciate that. Maybe leave the winchester alone? Get a Maverick for about $200 if you want an HD shotgun. Will be plenty good.
Corrections Cop
New member
Cut the barrel down to 18.5" and call it a day. Dont go with a pistol grip get the adjustable AR style stock.
okiewita40
New member
To the OP. I have been shooting shotguns for over 30 years. I have yet to need a pistol grip on any of them. But it is your gun so do with it what you wish. I would heed the advice of just getting something along the lines of a Maverick 88 or Pardner pump which you can get in the security models for fairly cheap.
Best of luck to you in whatever you end up doing.
Best of luck to you in whatever you end up doing.
dalecooper51
New member
I thought the 1400's were all semi autos. 1200, 1300, and 120 Ranger were pumps if I remember correctly.
Willie Lowman
New member
I'll bet part of the confusion here is that the OP's screen name is new2guns. People read that and think "this guy doesn't know what he's talking about"
I see that the OP joined this forum in 2005 so guns probably aren't that new anymore...
So, if you want to put a pistol grip on your shotgun, go ahead. 9 out of 10 people who have shot PGO shotguns don't like them. And yes, if it says it will fit your gun it will probably fit your gun. Buy from a distributor that has a good return policy in case it doesn't fit. If you like the way the heat shield looks, slap it on there. It's your gun isn't it? You can add all superficial crap you want to it. Can't help you with a short barrel, try gunbroker. Or try a hacksaw. After all it's your gun.
I see that the OP joined this forum in 2005 so guns probably aren't that new anymore...
So, if you want to put a pistol grip on your shotgun, go ahead. 9 out of 10 people who have shot PGO shotguns don't like them. And yes, if it says it will fit your gun it will probably fit your gun. Buy from a distributor that has a good return policy in case it doesn't fit. If you like the way the heat shield looks, slap it on there. It's your gun isn't it? You can add all superficial crap you want to it. Can't help you with a short barrel, try gunbroker. Or try a hacksaw. After all it's your gun.
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FWIW, Winchester 1200 (pump), 1300 (pump), 140 (auto), 1400 (auto), 1500 (auto ) & Sears 200 (pump) shotguns all used the same "family" of receiver & buttstocks, etc , just as Remington does with the Model 870, 1100 & 1187's - so there's plenty of interchangeability there.
While a PG on a short barreled shotgun (aka: Cruiser) make a nice "Whippet" gun (as in: Whip it out"), in reality it makes them hard to control in 12ga, and marginal in 20ga.
I would suggest you shorten your existing barrel (if it's a plain barrel) and try it that way, before opting for the PG kit.
If you have a VR barrel, since shortening can be problematic for an inexperienced fiddler, there are usually short/riot barrel for the 1200/1300 online at one or another of the barrel dealers (Corsonsbarrels, the barrelexchange, etc)
http://www.barrelexchange.com/
http://www.corsonsbarrels.com/
CheaperThanDirt carries an ATI heat shield for $21.50:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/9-59596
.
While a PG on a short barreled shotgun (aka: Cruiser) make a nice "Whippet" gun (as in: Whip it out"), in reality it makes them hard to control in 12ga, and marginal in 20ga.
I would suggest you shorten your existing barrel (if it's a plain barrel) and try it that way, before opting for the PG kit.
If you have a VR barrel, since shortening can be problematic for an inexperienced fiddler, there are usually short/riot barrel for the 1200/1300 online at one or another of the barrel dealers (Corsonsbarrels, the barrelexchange, etc)
http://www.barrelexchange.com/
http://www.corsonsbarrels.com/
CheaperThanDirt carries an ATI heat shield for $21.50:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/9-59596
.
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If you're not a bird hunter and are sure you never will be...just cut the existing barrel, square it up, and cold blue the raw steel. If it's a vent rib barrel, be sure you cut it at the nearest attachment that leaves you approx. 18.5"...or longer... to the closed breech face. In other words, you do not want an unsupported piece of the rib at the end of the barrel, nor do you want a barrel shorter than 18"+ (18" is the absolute minimum by law). Couple more points: If it has a vent rib, you cannot put a heat shield on it. If it has a vent rib, there are sights by Truglo and Hi-Viz that will attach to the rib. If it has a plain barrel, there are also sights by Truglo and Hi-viz that snap on to the barrel.
The 1400 is a decent auto shotgun. Not high-end by any stretch, but plenty functional and, if kept clean, should serve you well.
The 1400 is a decent auto shotgun. Not high-end by any stretch, but plenty functional and, if kept clean, should serve you well.
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If it is a 1400, semi auto, do not cut the barrel. Gas operated semi's are designed to function with a certain amount of pressure to operate the action. Cutting a barrel shorter will change the pressure levels and make it unreliable. If it is a pump, cut away.
You don't need a lot. Buying a shorter barrel or cutting down the one you have is about all you need. Not a lot of options for those guns anyway.
You don't need a lot. Buying a shorter barrel or cutting down the one you have is about all you need. Not a lot of options for those guns anyway.
jason_iowa
New member
Nothing wrong with it the way it is. Barrel length is not ideal for close quarters but it will get the job done. To make it look "tactical" is just a waste of money.
Uncle Malice
New member
Those Winchesters are pretty cool guns. Really nice action. I wouldn't do much to it. You might be able to find a shorter barrel from the links above, but that's probably all I'd do.
Go shoot the damn thing and get comfortable with it.
I like my Mossbergs for home defense use. I keep a 20" 590A1 with a red dot in the bedroom and an 18.5" 500 in the living room - hidden from view, but easily accessible. On the 18.5" 500 I have one of the Shockwave Technologies birds head style pistol grips. I very much dislike the regular vertical grips. They really beat up your wrist. With the more back swept bird head style grip, recoil is extremely easy to manage.
Here's a pic from when I first put the grip on. If you really want a pistol grip, this is the way to go. I'd say to keep that Winchester, and pick up a 500 Cruiser - they can be had for less than $300. The birds head grip was 30 bucks.
Go shoot the damn thing and get comfortable with it.
I like my Mossbergs for home defense use. I keep a 20" 590A1 with a red dot in the bedroom and an 18.5" 500 in the living room - hidden from view, but easily accessible. On the 18.5" 500 I have one of the Shockwave Technologies birds head style pistol grips. I very much dislike the regular vertical grips. They really beat up your wrist. With the more back swept bird head style grip, recoil is extremely easy to manage.
Here's a pic from when I first put the grip on. If you really want a pistol grip, this is the way to go. I'd say to keep that Winchester, and pick up a 500 Cruiser - they can be had for less than $300. The birds head grip was 30 bucks.
Thanks for the replies, ya you guys were right it was a 1300 model. It said 1400 on the barrel and no other markings anywhere else. I got an ati pistol grip that i believe has the option to add stocks to it. I have heard bad things about quality of ati products but this thing is great, very solid feeling and has a recoil rubber backing at the grip. Feels great in hand. The tacstar grip at the store seemed cheaper looking. The forend was a pain though, the old wood forend covered over the receiver when pulled back. I had to get a 6-1/4" slide Assembly to replace the 4-3/4". I cut the barrel down to 18" with a hack saw, squared , filed and blued. I am happy with it.
Maybe a tube extension and perhaps a side saddle are next in line, any brand recommendations for those?
Maybe a tube extension and perhaps a side saddle are next in line, any brand recommendations for those?
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wheres that heat shield?
now go shoot the hell out of it!
hope you didn't throw away the wood if you get tired of the pistol you can put it back!
i don't get some people, you asked where to get that stuff and what you got was there opinion as to what you should do and if you didn't follow there advise you were stupid i say if you want to put a kitchen sink on it ..go for it just have fun. be safe and enjoy!!
now go shoot the hell out of it!
hope you didn't throw away the wood if you get tired of the pistol you can put it back!
i don't get some people, you asked where to get that stuff and what you got was there opinion as to what you should do and if you didn't follow there advise you were stupid i say if you want to put a kitchen sink on it ..go for it just have fun. be safe and enjoy!!