Questions on Winchester Ranger 1400

[Speedo66]

I just bought a like new Winchester Ranger 1400 12ga. with a 20" (?) slug barrel w/rifle sights, and a 28" vent rib barrel w/ a knurled Win-choke. Came with a nice Bob Allan case.

Spur of the moment, belonged to a young deceased LEO and someone at the range was selling it for his widow.

Now the questions:

Price was $200. Is this within reason? As a recently retired LEO I didn't argue price because of the circumstances, but have no idea if it was a good price.

Is it a good gun? Funny to be asking this AFTER I purchased it.

Where can I get an owners manual for this? A quick check on Winchester's site shows they do not offer this manual.

Are the knurled type Win-chokes still available, and where? This came with only the full choke tube.

What year was it made? Serial # N1103XXX

Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Dave McCracken]

The 1400 was the model following the legendary SX1, and was deemed inferior by SX1 fans.

Be that as it may, there's lots of happy 1400 owners out there. The thing points well, and holds up at least as well as most mid grade autos and better then some.

I'd have grabbed a two barreled near new 1400 for $200 and considered myself fortunate.

Carlson's and other after market makers have tubes.

HTH....

 

[MCgunner]

Be that as it may, there's lots of happy 1400 owners out there.

I'm one such owner. Mine's been running well for 20 years now, mostly on doves, but with some duck hunting and some informal clay shooting. It ain't tacticool, mag only holds two rounds, but that's great for a migratory bird hunter. Mine still looks pretty sharp. It attenuates recoil about as well as any gas gun on the market, very soft shooting. It came without a recoil pad and doesn't need one. Too, out of the box it fit me perfectly. I had to shim adjust my Mossberg, not enough drop and comb. I haven't touched the Winchester, just shoot it. Vigilant cleaning of the gas piston area and port in the barrel is necessary, but most gas guns need frequent cleaning.

The price is good even for a single barrel gun. With two barrels, you got a deal. It should make for a great slug gun. The hotter the load, the better the gun seems to dampen the recoil. I bought mine around 1988 and paid $255 at Walmart, 28" vent rib Winchoke barrel with three chokes. It uses the same chokes that my Mossberg 500 bought about the same time frame uses, actually.

 

[Speedo66]

Thanks you both for the info. Seems like a nice gun, would love to have access to an owners manual for instructions on takedown for cleaning.

If anyone could make a photocopy I'd be more than willing to pay for copies and postage.

Thanks

 

[Milkmaster]

send me your email and I will send you an electronic copy of the manual. I actually have two manuals. One is older than the other. I will send them both in separate email attachments. Your price is about right and fair. Claen her up good and shoot it plenty. Cheap way to acquire a soft shooting gas gun!

 

[oneounceload]

mag only holds two rounds

Did you take the mag plug out? (Of course for doves you need it in there)

 

[RandKL]

Did you take the mag plug out?

No plug in a 1400. It was designed as a straight bird hunting gun, not a police or soldier weapon. It only holds 2+1.

rich

 

[Speedo66]

Milkmaster-

Thanks for the offer, PM sent.

I'm looking forward to trying the gun out.

I've always found full throttle 12ga loads to be on the edge of what I find comfortable as far as recoil.

A soft shooting gun would be a blessing.

May also prompt the sale of a very nice vintage Ithaca 37.

 

[Speedo66]

Milkmaster-

Got 'em.

You're the best!