Anyone have personal experience with the Winchester 1400 semi-auto?

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WVGunman

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I'm looking at buying a lightly used one for about $275. This would be for knocking around and casual clay shooting, that's all. My main concern is that it not jam more than once per 100 shells. Any thoughts?
 
Is it a MKI or MKII? I would only consider the MKII. My experience is that they will work fine. That is unless you need to replace a part. Particularly look at the plastic bolt release on the bottom. If it breaks I am told you cant find another. Make sure the one you buy hasn't broken already.
 
I had one that I bought back in the 70s, it was my dove shoot gun. No telling how many rounds went through it and never had a problem, in fact I don't remember ever having a jam with it. Unfortunately it was stolen in 89, and a few years later I bought another one to replace it. I have not shot this one a lot but it has not had any problems. The only thing that I have noticed is the quality difference between the two. The older one was built a little better.
 
I use one for turkey shoots, and have another for anything else. I found a 20ga for my grandson and he loves it. I've not had any problems and the most I've paid was 200$, the 20ga was 100$.
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I had one that I bought back in the 70s, it was my dove shoot gun. No telling how many rounds went through it and never had a problem, in fact I don't remember ever having a jam with it. Unfortunately it was stolen in 89, and a few years later I bought another one to replace it. I have not shot this one a lot but it has not had any problems. The only thing that I have noticed is the quality difference between the two. The older one was built a little better.
Hmm. And as I will probably be buying this online I will have no way to check this ahead of time. This might kill this deal for me. I don't want to take THAT big of a chance.
 
Also note those plastic parts that break can not be had anywhere.
There is no stock left over from when they made the guns.
 
Ouch, I didn't know about the plastic parts, is there metal ones to replace them? Are there any on the 1300s also?
 
The older models were great, look for nice walnut, red butt pad, jeweled bolt and serial #s below 400,000. Oh, semi fancy checkering too, It was all stamped or pressed checkering, but it was sort of fancy!
 
I had a Ranger 20 ga that was similar to the 1400, but even more “budget oriented.” Lots of polymer in places that my other guns had metal, but this (like the 1400) was Winchester’s entry in the low-end shotgun arena.

It was a decent shooter, I never had a part break nor did it ever jam. The vent rib barrel had a fixed modified choke, which is my do-all favorite. I traded it and cash to a friend years ago for an 1100 Trap model that he bought his daughter to hunt quail with (but it was waaay too long and heavy for her.) She carried and shot the Ranger much better than the Trap model.

Since they are lower end guns that haven’t been made for a while, if something goes wrong you will be having to really scrounge to get it fixed. I’ll second the above post and say get a good used 1100; spare parts and ‘Smith’s that can work on them are everywhere Should something fail.

Stay safe.
 
I fixed enough of them when I was gunsmithing that I would not sell them. One I could not fix. We sent it to Winchester. They sent him a new shotgun. Made my ego feel better anyway. :)
 
I'd like to know how much it cost Winchester to make this one?
After all alloy receiver, stamped parts, plastic parts, and pallet wood for stocks!!!
 
I’ve got one, a Ranger model. It’s done everything I’ve asked of it with no complaints or mishaps.

Works well for hunting or sports with it’s various choke tubes. I’m happy with it.
 
I used to have one and never had a problem with it. Liked the fact that the safety button was located on the front part of the trigger guard; hated the looks of and lack of utility impressed "checkering" brought to the table.
 
WVGunman

Not a Model 1400 but still have an older Model 1300 in 20 gauge that has been very reliable and durable for over 20 years now. Came with a 28" vent rib Winchoke barrel which I replaced with a 22" vent rib barrel for upland game hunting and an 18" barrel for home defense.

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My dad had a 1400 back around 1970. I shot a bunch of quail with it and thought it was a great gun (until I read the negative reviews later , lol.)
I would never choose one over a Super X but wouldn't be ashamed to have one for pheasant or other upland birds. Trap, no. Not for the long haul.
 
Go looking for a Remington 1100!

I concur. Parts are readily available, and like Virginian, I've worked on enough 1400's to know to stay away. For a 'take it out once a year for pheasants' gun, fine. The Remington 742 of shotguns, except parts are more available for the 742.
 
Not many people know about the 742's and the lockup problems.
Not to forget the rusty gas blocks!

Not to mention there are many guns on store's NO BUY list.
They won't take them in trade or buy them.
 
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