I have one that I bought new in 1984. It’s my go-to gun for home defense. 7 shot magazine, 18" barrel.
A lot of people knock it because of the aluminum receiver, but that’s because they don’t understand how it works. It has a rotating bolt that locks into a barrel extension–although it’s a pump shotgun it looks uncannily like a giant AR-15 setup when you look at the bolt, bolt carrier, and barrel extension. The receiver can be aluminum because it doesn’t take any pressure from the bolt. Ultra-smooth action right out of the box.
I also have a Rem. 870 Wingmaster from the same time period (NOT 870 Express!) with 18" bbl. and both are excellent guns. I’d grab either if the door went crunch at two a.m.
I looked at the Winchester website and they don’t offer it any more?
Sold mine to a cousin last month, Ive spent too much time at work behind a 870 to be comfortable manipulating the 1300 under stress, so Ill probably end up with a 870 SBS in the near future.
Production of the 1300 ended when Winchester, U.S. Repeating Arms went bankrupt. What Winchester products are still made are sold under the FN Herstal banner, some classic models under Olin.
You are correct, a true Winchester is no more. But if you like the Defender and can’t find an old one, this is as close as your going to get. They are reasonably priced too, at $309.
The Winchester Defender I have was the first pump shotgun I ever purchased. I got it back in 1984 at Grandpa’s Store in Clarksville when I was assigned to Fort Campbell.
I also have a Wingmaster. Both are great firearms.