My dad bought Winchester 1200 defender sometime back in the early 80's. Well I decided that since I an starting to buy more guns I would ask my mom for it. I've been looking for a shotgun for home defense and hunting recently. I'm trying to find to info on this gun and don't see much other then the basics. Does anybody know if I can swap the 18" barrel for a 26" when I want to go hunting or should I buy another shotgun? That's really all I would like to do to it. The wood looks amazing, trigger feels great, and the pump is nice. It could stand to be reblued though and there is some surface rust on it. I know this hasn't been fired in at least 20+ years but like I said everything seems to function nice and feels good. I'm gonna put some 2 3/4 #8 birdshot through it tomorrow.

Barrels from Models 120, 1200 & 1300 are interchangeable. If the gun was originally 2 3/4" that is all it will shoot even if a 3" barrel is added. You might just do a good cold blue job on the original barrel then look for an affordable Winchoke barrel for hunting. These are good reliable guns but have usually more sentimental value than collector value. I have one that is over 40 yrs old that was a gift from my Dad that is priceless to me. It's been used but not abused and has put everything from dove to deer on the table. Good luck on your search

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KMAG YOYO

pay attention to the location of the ring on the bottom of the barrel that holds it to the mag tube, defender guns are 7 or 8 shot, hunting guns are 5 shot, (3 with the wooden plug installed). The two won't interchange

Johnny is right, make sure a new barrel will fit. I have had a 1200 since the early 60's and it still works fine. I bought my son a Defender several years ago it also seems an ok HD weapon.

That's what I get for posting at 1:20 AM, didn't catch that it was a Defender. Johnny & Max are correct and read more carefully!

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KMAG YOYO

I've got a dozen or so riot/ trench guns including two Winchester 1300's, one of which is the marine version. I was told it's nickel over stainless. It's shiny. I had a correct WWII Winchester trench gun that I picked up last year but somebody offered me enough to let it go. I noticed at the Louisville show last weekend that there were hardly any used riot/trench guns for sale and the few that were there were overpriced. I don't know what interchanges with what. Keep it as a home defense gun and get a Remington 870 of something to hunt with. Four ought steel wool and a little Remoil will work wonders on getting rid of surface rust.

Not all of the Defenders were 7 or 8 shot, at least in the 1300 model. I bought one new that is only a five shot. Wouldn't trade it for the world.

What SETXN said above.

I have a M1200 that was 99% except for the barrel and so I bought a new 3" M1300 26" ventilated barrel with interchangeable chokes for it. It has worked fine for 30 years (but will still only shoot 2 3/4" shells).

I turned my 120 into a HD gun. I always liked the Defender. I am no expert...but I think you will have a problem trying to put a 120/1200/1300 barrel on the Defender...due to what the others have posted about the tub length.

I got my 120 in the early 80's...wanted a 3" for duck/goose hunting. I think it was around $100 and got it at KMart. The one thing I want to address is the the stock...the smooth wood tends to slip and I have a hard time with it due to my arthritis. I was considering getting a $5 roll of bat/hockey tape.

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If you Google the brand and model along with parts and repairs you will find a place in Alabama that sells parts for these guns. A barrel will likely cost more than the gun is worth. I own a five shot Win. 1200 RIOT that I would also like to have another barrel for, but am too cheap to spend the money.

Harvey Broome of Broome's Firearms in Fitzgerald, GA would probably have a barrel for your gun.