Winchester 1300 Defender ? Sight options

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Years ago I bought a Winchester 1300 Defender (8 shot) for a shotgun class. It has a fiber optic front sight but just a rear groove. It's taken me through a Steve Moses and Tom Givens class without a hitch. Also through TX club after match, shotgun stages and a few here in NY. Note, the crowd here isn't shotgun oriented, when the match director said he was adding a shotgun transition, there was wailing and lamentation and the 9 mm gamers said they don't have and never shot one! Of course, folks did have the usual semis and pumps. But Winchesters are rare.

Now, I have a spare Eotech and was thinking of mounting a rail on the gun with some aftermarket dohickey I bought. Shotgun matches are rare here and the few three guns are out of my area (I'm home bound).

Should I do it? Leave it the way it is. I keep it with FliteControl 00 and some slugs on the stock in case of fantasy bear, big foot, etc. Bear closest is 1.8 miles AND near my favorite coffee shop but I'm not driving around with gun. Just fantasy.

So thoughts, leave or site it. I worry that this slide mount will fly into space and/or fall off. Jam the ejection? It would be hard to test it with a lot of rounds given local circumstances.

[MTP]

I would leave it as-is. My reasoning:

- Now you have a vetted pump gun, and you are familiar with its current performance and limitations with quality shells. Adding an optic would introduce a new variable and it sounds like locally you cannot perform the required testing to see how everything will hold up.

- I've been around early 1300 Defenders (like them a lot, btw!) and I seem to remember they are not drilled/tapped ? Not sure about this one

- Eotech might not be the best shotgun optic, mostly from a form factor perspective

- No way to add backup sights afaik

The juice wouldn't be worth the squeeze for me in this situation, and I'd just keep the gun slick (especially if you have other optic-equipped long guns).

[RevolverRob]

If it is drilled and tapped the new Vortex Viper Shotgun optic looks like a promising option. https://vortexoptics.com/viper-shotgun-enclosed-micro-red-dot+reticle-3~MOA~Dot

The low mount means your muscle memory from using the FO front sight won't have to change. Sight it in with slugs at 25y. Shoot ~half a dozen FC buck to confirm the pattern spread and aiming point.

Work it dry in the basement with practice shells. Will you be Symtac Coin earning fast? Probably not. Does it matter? Also probably not.

[mmc45414]

If it is not drilled and tapped you could mimic the Mossberg and try the Williams LRS (https://williamsgunsight.com/our-sight-technology/).
They are supposed to be low enough to not need cheek piece elevation.

[TCinVA]

I had Vang Comp silver solder Remington sights on my 1300 Defender. I installed a youth stock on it as well. Cotton Branch Customs would also be a great option for adding sights.

[willie]

Your old friend has been serving you well. Keep him original. Winchester offers box store Turkey 1300 based shotguns. Here they have a good reputation.
They are inexpensive.

[Glenn E. Meyer]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will keep it as is. If the ban lightens up and I can get a new AR, I'll use the Eotech on that.