Winchester Model 1200

Winchester Model 1200/1300
Winchester Model 1200 Defender With Extended Tube Magazine
Type	Pump-action shotgun
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	1968-present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Vietnam War, Darfur Conflict
Production history
Designed	1964
Manufacturer	Winchester
Produced	1965-2006
Variants	Model 1200 Defender
Specifications
Weight	6.5 lb (2.9 kg)
Caliber	12-gauge, 16-gauge, 20-gauge
Action	Pump-action
Feed system	One-six shotshell tubular magazine
Sights	Muzzle-mounted bead sight

The Model 1200 and Model 1300 are two pump-action shotguns that are manufactured by the Winchester-Western Division of Olin Corporation. It was produced in 12-, 16- and 20-gauge. The military version of the 1200 has the ability to have a bayonet fixed on the end of the barrel to be used in close quarter combat.

The Winchester Model 1200 was introduced in 1964 as a low-cost replacement for the venerable Model 12. A small number of these weapons were acquired by the United States Army in 1968 and 1969. The military style Model 1200 was essentially the same weapon as the civilian version, except it had a ventilated handguard, sling swivels, and a bayonet lug. The Model 1200 was succeeded by the Winchester Model 1300 in 1983 when U.S. Repeating Arms Company became the manufacturer of Winchester firearms. Production of the Model 1300 ceased in 2006, when USRAC went bankrupt.

The Winchester Model 1200 came in barrel lengths of 30-inch, and 28-inch with a fixed choke or the Win-choke screw in choke tubes system and is a 12, 16, or 20-gauge, manually operated, slide action shotgun. The slide action, also known as a pump-action, means that the shotgun has a moving bolt system which is operated by a "wooden or composite slide called the fore-end". The fore-end is located on the underside of the barrel and moves front to back. The weapon can hold a maximum of five rounds total with four in the tubular magazine and one in the chamber. It has a hammerless action which means that there is no external hammer spur. There is only a firing pin which strikes the primer on the shell to ignite the powder in the round.

The Model 1200 was the first shotgun to utilize a rotary bolt with four locking lugs secured within the barrel extension. The 1200 was Winchester's first shotgun to incorporate the company's patented Winchoke system, a quick change tube to allow the easy replacement of chokes.